IFNβ in Asthma

Interferon Beta (‘IFNβ’) in rhinovirus-induced asthma exacerbations

Synairgen is investigating a novel application of inhaled IFNβ to reduce cold virus-induced asthma exacerbations. This virus is a major trigger for the worsening of asthma symptoms, with up to eight out of ten asthma related emergency department visits being associated with these viral infections. Currently there are limited satisfactory treatments available to address this significant unmet need.

Background

  • Intellectual property was exclusively in-licensed from the University of Southampton for the use of IFNβ in protecting asthmatic and COPD subjects from exacerbations induced by the common cold virus

  • A defect in production of IFNβ in response to virus infection in asthma was identified by Professor Donna Davies (a Synairgen co-founder) and colleagues (Wark PA et al 2005, J Ex Med, 201:937-47)

  • In asthma, a lack of IFNβ production in response to virus infection results in the reduced induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death) and prolonged virus survival and replication within virally infected asthmatic cells

  • The addition of IFNβ restores the ability of virus-infected asthmatic cells to undergo apoptosis in order to clear rapidly the viral infection

Current status

  • Synairgen has completed an initial phase I clinical trial for the safety of inhaled IFNβ and in July 2008 commenced a second study, which is a multiple dose study in moderate asthmatics

Synairgen has established an advisory panel of world experts on asthma and rhinovirus induced asthma exacerbations, comprising Professors Jim Gern (Wisconsin, USA), Sebastian Johnston (London, UK), Peter Sterk (Leiden, The Netherlands) and Ratko Djukanovic (Southampton, UK). The panel will assist us in developing our IFNβ programme and our understanding of rhinovirus infections in asthma. Their respective institutions will act as clinical trial sites in due course.

Asthma statistics

  • There are approximately 22 million asthmatics in the USA1
  • The economic cost to the US is $19.7 billion per year2
  • Asthma accounts for 1,770,000 emergency department visits per year in the US1
  • The cost of emergency department visits and in-patient care in relation to asthma is $4.7 billion2
  • Up to 80% of asthma exacerbations which result in emergency department visits are associated with RV infections3
  • 50% of the total cost of the asthma is apportioned to 10% of the asthmatic population with the severest disease4

Information about common colds and rhinovirus (RV)

  • Adults get an average of two to four colds per year, mostly between September and May5
  • Young children suffer from an average of six to eight colds per year5
  • Asthmatics have similar upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) symptoms as non-asthmatics6
  • Asthmatics frequently suffer lower respiratory tract
    (the airways in the lung) infections6

References

  1. American Lung Association. Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Morality. 2007 www.lungusa.org
  2. Morbidity & Mortality: 2007 Chart book on cardiovascular, lung and blood diseases produced by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
  3. S. King et al, Persistence of Rhinovirus RNA after asthma exacerbations in children. Clin Exp Allergy 2005 May 35 (5) 672-8
  4. P.J. Barnes, B. Johnson, J.B. Klim. The Costs of Asthma. Eur Respir J 1996 9, 636-642
  5. Cold and Flu Guidelines: The Common Cold www.lungusa.org
  6. J.M. Corne et al Frequency, severity and duration of rhinovirus infections in asthmatic and non-asthmatic in dividuals: a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet 2002 Mat 9; 359 (9309):831-4