Release – Unicycive Therapeutics Delivers Multiple Poster Presentations Highlighting Development Progress on Oxylanthanum Carbonate (OLC) and UNI-494 at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2024

Research News and Market Data on UNCY

October 28, 2024 7:03am EDT Download as PDF

– Late-Breaker Poster Presentation Highlights Favorable Safety & Tolerability of OLC –

– Two Publications Recently Issued Featuring OLC and UNI-494 –

LOS ALTOS, Calif., Oct. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNCY), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for patients with kidney disease (the “Company” or “Unicycive”), today announced that multiple presentations were delivered at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2024 that highlighted the extensive development progress for both oxylanthanum carbonate (OLC) and UNI-494.

“Kidney Week was extremely productive for us featuring a late-breaking presentation on our OLC pivotal trial, and our numerous data presentations were well received by the medical community,” said Shalabh Gupta, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Unicycive. “We were excited to present our positive pivotal clinical trial data demonstrating that OLC enabled adequate control of serum phosphate in more than 90% of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis who entered the maintenance phase of the trial. OLC preclinical data was also presented at the conference and recently published. This data supports our recently submitted New Drug Application as we seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to bring OLC to the millions of CKD patients with hyperphosphatemia on dialysis.”

Dr. Gupta continued, “Earlier this month, we announced the successful competition of our UNI-494 Phase 1 study and were pleased to present the safety and tolerability data at ASN. We plan to request a meeting with the FDA before the end of the year to review these Phase 1 results and a potential Phase 2 study design.”

“For patients with CKD on dialysis, achieving adequate serum phosphate control is critically important because it can lead to other major complications including cardiovascular disease. I am encouraged by the results from the OLC pivotal trial presented at Kidney Week, and I believe that a product like OLC could have a meaningful impact on the overall care of CKD patients on dialysis,” added Dr. Pablo Pergola, MD, PhD, Research Director of the Clinical Advancement Center, PLLC, and a member of Renal Associates PA, San Antonio, Texas.

PUBLICATIONS

In addition to the presentations at ASN, preclinical studies for both OLC and UNI-494 were recently featured in two publications.

  • “Systemic Absorption of Oxylanthanum Carbonate is Minimal in Preclinical Models” was published in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal.
  • “Evaluation of UNI-494 in Acute Kidney Injury Treatment Efficacy When Administered After Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Rat Model” was published in EC Pharmacology and Toxicology.

ASN KIDNEY WEEK PRESENTATIONS

Title:Effects of Oxylanthanum Carbonate in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis with Hyperphosphatemia
Lead Author:Geoffrey A. Block, MD, FASN, Associate Chief Medical Officer & Senior Vice President, Clinical Research & Medical Affairs, U.S. Renal Care
Summary:This late-breaking poster describes the pivotal Phase 2 open-label, single-arm, multicenter, multidose study in adult patients with CKD with hyperphosphatemia receiving maintenance hemodialysis. The aim of the study was to assess the tolerability and safety of OLC at doses that achieve satisfactory serum phosphate control of ≤5.5 mg/dl. Most patients (69%) who achieved the target serum phosphate did so with ≤1500 mg/day and the percent of patients with serum phosphate ≤5.5 mg/dl increased from 59% at Screening to 91% at the end of titration. OLC was safe and well-tolerated with adverse events commonly seen in this patient population and with other phosphate binders. The use of OLC enabled adequate control of serum phosphate in >90% of patients who entered maintenance.
Title:Combination Oxylanthanum Carbonate and Tenapanor Lowers Urinary Phosphate Excretion in Rat
Lead Author:Satya Medicherla, Ph.D., Vice President, Preclinical Pharmacology, Unicycive
Summary:This study evaluated the effects of OLC plus tenapanor on urinary phosphate excretion in rats on a high phosphorus diet. The study showed that the combination of OLC and tenapanor may support a pronounced inhibition of intestinal phosphate absorption by leveraging two distinct mechanisms of action: OLC, an intestinal phosphate binder, and tenapanor, a sodium/hydrogen exchanger (NHE3) blocker that diminishes transcellular phosphate absorption. The results demonstrated that the OLC plus tenapanor combination achieved a much more pronounced reduction in urinary phosphate excretion as compared to OLC alone and 3.3 times greater than tenapanor alone. In addition, the OLC plus tenapanor combination exhibited four- to seven-fold more synergistic effects compared to the sevelamer plus tenapanor combination. The study demonstrated potent effects of the novel lanthanum-based phosphate binder OLC and found that OLC plus tenapanor has synergistic, rather than additive, effects in rats.
Title:UNI-494 Phase I Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics
Lead Author:Guru Reddy, PH.D., Vice President of Preclinical R&D, Unicycive
Summary:The poster described the results from the single ascending dose (SAD) cohorts from the Phase 1 study evaluating safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of UNI-494 capsules administered to healthy volunteers. The study was a single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study that enrolled up to 40 subjects in 5 cohorts of 8 subjects each (6 active/2 placebo per cohort). Safety assessments and pharmacokinetics and systemic exposure of UNI-494 and its metabolites (nicorandil and CHEA) were evaluated. The data demonstrated that a single dose of 10-160 mg of UNI-494 capsules were safe and well-tolerated, and that UNI-494 was rapidly converted to nicorandil and the exposure to nicorandil increased in a dose-proportional manner. Therapeutic levels (AUC >200 hour*ng/mL) of nicorandil were achieved at 160 mg of UNI-494. This rapid conversion of UNI-494 to nicorandil and 1-cyclohexylethylamine indicates a potential for a fast-acting therapy for the prevention of Delayed Graft Function (DGF) and other acute kidney injury (AKI) clinical conditions.
Title:Intravenous UNI-494 Slows the Progression or Halts/Reverses Acute Kidney Injury When Administered After Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats
Lead Author:Satya Medicherla, Ph.D., Vice President, Preclinical Pharmacology, Unicycive
Summary:The poster presented the results from a study evaluating the in vivo efficacy of intravenous (IV) UNI-494 when administered therapeutically after unilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in a rat model of AKI, which is a well-established model of DGF. The study showed that single IV doses of 10 mg/kg of UNI-494 administered after I/R significantly reduced serum and urinary AKI markers and improved proximal tubular injury scores. Specifically, a single IV dose of 10 mg/kg of UNI-494 improved key kidney functional markers (serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urinary samples collected for albumin-creatinine ratio), the tubular injury marker neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and proximal tubular injury scores. These data indicate therapeutic administration of UNI-494 slows down and may even halt or reverse AKI progression.


The posters and publications can be found on the Unicycive Therapeutics website here.

About Oxylanthanum Carbonate (OLC)

Oxylanthanum carbonate is a next-generation lanthanum-based phosphate binding agent utilizing proprietary nanoparticle technology being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). OLC has over forty issued and granted patents globally. Its potential best-in-class profile may have meaningful patient adherence benefits over currently available treatment options as it requires a lower pill burden for patients in terms of number and size of pills per dose that are swallowed instead of chewed. Based on a survey conducted in 2022, Nephrologists stated that the greatest unmet need in the treatment of hyperphosphatemia with phosphate binders is a lower pill burden and better patient compliance.1 The global market opportunity for treating hyperphosphatemia is projected to be in excess of $2.5 billion in 2023, with the United States accounting for more than $1 billion of that total. Despite the availability of several FDA-cleared medications, 75 percent of U.S. dialysis patients fail to achieve the target phosphorus levels recommended by published medical guidelines.

Unicycive is seeking FDA approval of OLC via the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway. As part of the clinical development program, two clinical studies were conducted in over 100 healthy volunteers. The first study was a dose-ranging Phase I study to determine safety and tolerability. The second study was a randomized, open-label, two-way crossover bioequivalence study to establish pharmacodynamic bioequivalence between OLC and Fosrenol. Based on the results of the bioequivalence study, pharmacodynamic (PD) bioequivalence of OLC to Fosrenol was established. A pivotal clinical trial was also conducted in CKD patients on hemodialysis that achieved the study objective and established favorable tolerability of OLC at clinically effective doses.

Fosrenol® is a registered trademark of Shire International Licensing BV.
1Reason Research, LLC 2022 survey. Results here.

About Hyperphosphatemia

Hyperphosphatemia is a serious medical condition that occurs in nearly all patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). If left untreated, hyperphosphatemia leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), which then results in renal osteodystrophy (a condition similar to osteoporosis and associated with significant bone disease, fractures and bone pain); cardiovascular disease with associated hardening of arteries and atherosclerosis (due to deposition of excess calcium-phosphorus complexes in soft tissue). Importantly, hyperphosphatemia is independently associated with increased mortality for patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. Based on available clinical data to date, over 80% of patients show signs of cardiovascular calcification by the time they become dependent on dialysis.

Dialysis patients are already at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (because of underlying diseases such as diabetes and hypertension), and hyperphosphatemia further exacerbates this. Treatment of hyperphosphatemia is aimed at lowering serum phosphate levels via two means: (1) restricting dietary phosphorus intake; and (2) using, on a daily basis, and with each meal, oral phosphate binding drugs that facilitate fecal elimination of dietary phosphate rather than its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream.

About UNI-494

UNI-494 is a novel nicotinamide ester derivative and a selective ATP-sensitive mitochondrial potassium channel activator. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the progression of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. UNI-494 has a novel mechanism of action that restores mitochondrial function and may be beneficial for the treatment of several diseases including kidney disease. Unicycive has completed enrollment in the UNI-494 Phase 1 dose-ranging safety study in healthy volunteers in the United Kingdom. UNI-494 is protected by issued patent(s) in the U.S. and Europe and a wide range of patent applications worldwide. UNI-494 has been granted orphan drug designation (ODD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of Delayed Graft Function (DGF) in kidney transplant patients.

About Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as a sudden loss of kidney function that is determined based on increased serum creatinine levels and decreased urine output and is limited to a duration of 7 days. The primary causes of AKI include sepsis, ischemia, hypoxia, and drug-induced nephrotoxicity. Delayed Graft Function is a type of acute kidney injury that occurs in the first week after kidney transplantation. AKI is estimated to occur in 20-200 per million population in the community, 7-18% of patients in the hospital, and approximately 50% of patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Importantly AKI is associated with morbidity and mortality; an estimated 2 million people die of AKI worldwide every year whereas survivors of AKI are at increased risk of chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease.

About Unicycive Therapeutics

Unicycive Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel treatments for kidney diseases. Unicycive’s lead drug candidate, oxylanthanum carbonate (OLC), is a novel investigational phosphate binding agent being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. UNI-494 is a patent-protected new chemical entity in clinical development for the treatment of conditions related to acute kidney injury. For more information, please visit Unicycive.com and follow us on LinkedInX, and YouTube.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimated” and “intend” or other similar terms or expressions that concern Unicycive’s expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on Unicycive’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are several factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, clinical trials involve a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results; our clinical trials may be suspended or discontinued due to unexpected side effects or other safety risks that could preclude approval of our product candidates; risks related to business interruptions, which could seriously harm our financial condition and increase our costs and expenses; dependence on key personnel; substantial competition; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties related to market conditions and other factors described more fully in the section entitled ‘Risk Factors’ in Unicycive’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Unicycive specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:

ir@unicycive.com
(650) 543-5470

SOURCE: Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.

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Source: Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.

Released October 28, 2024

Biogen’s Bold $1.8B Kidney Disease Treatment Acquisition

Biogen Inc. is doubling down on novel therapies for rare diseases, announcing an acquisition of Human Immunology Biosciences that could be valued at up to $1.8 billion. The deal gives Biogen full rights to HI-Bio’s lead drug candidate felzartamab, which is being studied for several chronic kidney conditions with large unmet medical needs.

The transaction reflects Biogen’s strategic shift under CEO Christopher Viehbacher to diversify beyond its core neuroscience franchise. Just months after the $6.5 billion buyout of kidney disease specialist Reata Pharmaceuticals, Biogen is opening its checkbook again to beef up its pipeline of potential rare disease medicines.

HI-Bio’s felzartamab has completed mid-stage trials for two types of kidney disorders – primary membranous nephropathy and transplant glomerulopathy where the immune system attacks a transplanted organ. Importantly, it is also being evaluated for IgA nephropathy, a leading cause of kidney failure with no approved treatments available.

For Biogen, the deal provides another shot on goal as it navigates an uncertain period. While its newly-launched Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi has shown promise, the company was forced to abandon its previous Alzheimer’s treatment Aduhelm after years of controversy. Biogen’s older multiple sclerosis franchises are facing rising competitive threats as well.

The HI-Bio acquisition gives Biogen added pipeline diversification into nephrology and autoimmune diseases. Felzartamab has a unique approach, as it is an anti-FcRn antibody that targets pathogenic IgG antibodies which can damage kidneys and other organs.

If felzartamab can demonstrate positive efficacy and safety in broader Phase 3 testing, it could eventually have multi-billion dollar peak sales potential across its targeted kidney indications according to analyst forecasts. However, there is no guarantee of clinical or regulatory success.

From a financial perspective, Biogen is paying $1.15 billion upfront for private HI-Bio, along with contingent value rights worth up to $650 million if certain development and commercial milestones are achieved. This is relatively modest compared to Biogen’s $6.5 billion acquisition of Reata announced in February.

The HI-Bio deal continues Biogen’s aim to revamp its R&D pipeline through a series of bold acquisitions and partnerships under Viehbacher. The company is betting that assembling a portfolio of high-risk, high-reward clinical candidates for diseases like Alzheimer’s and kidney disorders will ultimately pay off.

For the healthcare sector and public markets, Biogen’s aggressive business development approach is emblematic of the ongoing consolidation wave. With rising costs of drug development and payer pricing pressures, large biopharma companies are increasingly looking to acquisitions of smaller, more focused biotechs to source external innovation.

While Biogen’s M&A strategy carries substantial financial risk, the HI-Bio deal gives it a promising asset that could reshape treatment for serious kidney diseases if it can overcome the high hurdle of clinical success. For healthcare investors, absorbing Biogen’s evolving pipeline story will be crucial in evaluating the company’s future growth prospects.

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Release – Eledon Pharmaceuticals Announces Use of Tegoprubart in First-ever Transplant of Genetically Modified Kidney from a Pig to a Human

Research News and Market Data on ELDN

March 21, 2024

Historic kidney xenotransplantation procedure conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital

Tegoprubart administration has now been used investigationally to prevent rejection in both kidney and heart pig-to-human xenotransplantations, as well as in human-to-human kidney transplantation

Eledon recently presented results from its ongoing Phase 1b kidney transplantation study which demonstrated that tegoprubart was generally safe and well tolerated and successfully prevented rejection with post-transplant kidney function above historical averages

IRVINE, Calif., March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eledon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Eledon”) (NASDAQ: ELDN) today announced that tegoprubart, the company’s investigational anti-CD40L antibody, was used as a component of the immunosuppressive treatment regimen following the first-ever transplant of a kidney from a genetically modified pig to a human. The procedure was completed on March 16, 2024, at Massachusetts General Hospital on a 62-year-old man living with end-stage kidney disease.

“This first-ever kidney xenotransplant marks a pivotal moment for the transplant community and provides hope that this option may one day help solve the current shortage of available organs,” said David-Alexandre C. Gros, M.D., Eledon Chief Executive Officer. “Eledon has now participated in both heart and kidney xenotransplant procedures, further demonstrating tegoprubart’s broad potential in transplant. We are thankful to the patient, the entire medical team at Massachusetts General Hospital, and our partner eGenesis for the privilege to participate in this landmark procedure as we work to achieve our goal of developing tegoprubart as a new and better immunosuppressive option for transplant patients.”

Tegoprubart is being administered to the patient investigationally as part of a regimen designed to suppress the immune system and prevent the body from rejecting the transplanted pig organ. Tegoprubart has been observed to be safe and well-tolerated in multiple studies and in multiple indications, including for the prevention of rejection following kidney transplantation.

“It is exciting to see the clinical application of xenotransplantation to a patient with end stage renal disease,” said Andrew Adams, MD, PhD, Chief, Division of Transplant Surgery, University of Minnesota. “Based on all of the studies performed in preclinical models to date, it is clear that therapies targeting CD40L, like tegoprubart, are critical to controlling the immune response to the xenograft, potentially leading to superior long-term outcomes compared to other immunosuppressive therapies. CD40L sits at the interface of the adaptive and innate immune responses which may explain why therapies designed to block it have such potent effects in xenotransplantation.”

“This procedure represents a significant milestone in the transplantation field and a promising step to address a medical crisis: the worldwide shortage of available organs,” said Leonardo V. Riella, MD, PhD, Medical Director for Kidney Transplantation at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Xenotransplantation represents a unique approach with the potential to provide patients with additional options to access life-saving treatments in a timely manner. We commend the courage of our patient and the skill of the entire team involved in the operation, and I look forward to continued advancements in research with the hope that we can make this novel treatment option available to more patients in the future.”

Multiple clinical and preclinical research efforts are currently underway to evaluate the ability of tegoprubart to reduce the risk of rejection in organ transplant. Eledon is advancing preclinical studies in which tegoprubart is being used as a part of the immunosuppression regimen designed to reduce the risk of rejection in nonhuman primate recipients in xenotransplant procedures. In parallel, Eledon is running two global clinical studies evaluating tegoprubart for the prevention of organ rejection in persons receiving a de novo kidney transplant. The company recently presented results from 11 participants enrolled in its ongoing Phase 1b kidney transplantation study, which demonstrated that tegoprubart, as part of a calcineurin inhibitor free immunosuppressive regimen, was generally safe and well tolerated and both successfully prevented rejection as well as permitted above historical average post-transplant kidney function. The company’s Phase 2 BESTOW study, assessing tegoprubart head-to-head with tacrolimus for the prevention of rejection in kidney transplantation, is currently recruiting participants, and plans to complete enrollment at the end of 2024.

About Eledon Pharmaceuticals and tegoprubart

Eledon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company that is developing immune-modulating therapies for the management and treatment of life-threatening conditions. The Company’s lead investigational product is tegoprubart, an anti-CD40L antibody with high affinity for the CD40 Ligand, a well-validated biological target that has broad therapeutic potential. The central role of CD40L signaling in both adaptive and innate immune cell activation and function positions it as an attractive target for non-lymphocyte depleting, immunomodulatory therapeutic intervention. The Company is building upon a deep historical knowledge of anti-CD40 Ligand biology to conduct preclinical and clinical studies in kidney allograft transplantation, xenotransplantation, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Eledon is headquartered in Irvine, California. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.eledon.com.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Any statements about the company’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including statements about planned clinical trials, the development of product candidates, expected timing for initiation of future clinical trials, expected timing for receipt of data from clinical trials, as well as other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “predicts,” “projects,” “targets,” “looks forward,” “could,” “may,” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including: risks relating to the safety and efficacy of our drug candidates; risks relating to clinical development timelines, including interactions with regulators and clinical sides, as well as patient enrollment; risks relating to costs of clinical trials and the sufficiency of the company’s capital resources to fund planned clinical trials; and risks associated with the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s actual results to differ significantly from the forward-looking statements contained herein, are discussed in our quarterly 10-Q, annual 10-K, and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be found at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and not of any future date, and the company expressly disclaims any intent to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:

Stephen Jasper
Gilmartin Group
(858) 525 2047
stephen@gilmartinir.com

Media Contact:

Jenna Urban
Berry & Company Public Relations
(212) 253 8881
jurban@berrypr.com

Source: Eledon Pharmaceuticals

Source: Eledon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Release – Unicycive Therapeutics Delivers Both An Oral And Poster Presentation On UNI-494 At The AKI and CRRT Conference

Research News and Market Data on UNCY

March 13, 2024 7:03am EDT Download as PDF

– Promising Preclinical Results in Delayed Graft Function of Acute Kidney Injury –

– UNI-494 Phase 1 Single Ascending Dose Portion of Clinical Trial Complete –

LOS ALTOS, Calif., March 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNCY), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for patients with kidney disease (the “Company or “Unicycive”), today announced that two presentations related to UNI-494 were presented on March 12, 2024 at the 29th International Conference on Advances in Critical Care Nephrology AKI and CRRT 2024.

“We are excited about the tremendous progress we have made with our second clinical development asset, UNI-494,” said, Shalabh Gupta, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Unicycive. “Last week we announced that UNI-494 has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for the prevention of delayed graft function (DGF) after kidney transplantation which is a meaningful milestone for the program. The data presented at the CRRT conference demonstrates statistically significant results for UNI-494 in a preclinical model of DGF which provides additional evidence that UNI-494 may be a valuable asset for prevention of DGF and other acute kidney injury clinical conditions.”

“In conjunction with these presentations, we are also excited to announce that our ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial in UNI-494 has successfully completed the single ascending dose (SAD) portion of the study. UNI-494 was well-tolerated up to 160 mg administered as a single dose. This dose was chosen as the go-forward dose based on promising safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic data. In the multiple ascending dose (MAD) portion of the study, 80 mg is now being administered twice-a-day to participants enrolled in the study. We expect to complete the Phase 1 trial and report the full results in the second half of this year,” concluded Dr. Gupta.

The oral presentation, entitled, “Intravenous Administration of UNI-494 Ameliorates Acute Kidney Injury in Rat Model of Delayed Graft Function” was delivered by Satya Medicherla, Ph.D., Vice President, Preclinical Pharmacology, Unicycive Therapeutics. Dr. Medicherla presented results from the study evaluating the in vivo efficacy of intravenous (IV) UNI-494 in the unilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion rat model of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is a well-established model of DGF. In the study, a single IV dose of UNI-494 at 5 mg/kg/IV or 10 mg/kg/IV reduced specific kidney functional markers and tubular injury marker with statistically significant results (p<0.01). Importantly, UNI-494 prevented serum and urinary markers of AKI at 5 mg/kg, and proximal tubular injury scores improved in a dose-dependent manner. The study concluded that UNI-494 is a potential candidate for prevention of DGF and other AKI clinical conditions.

The poster, entitled, “UNI-494 Phase 1 Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics: Trial in Progress” was presented by Guru Reddy, PH.D., Vice President of Preclinical R&D, Unicycive Therapeutics. The poster describes the ongoing Phase 1 dose-escalating single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial in healthy volunteers. The trial consists of two parts: Part 1 is a single ascending dose (SAD) study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (n=40); Part 2 is a multiple ascending dose (MAD) study to understand the effect of multiple doses administered of UNI-494 (n=20). The trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of UNI-494 in healthy subjects. The SAD study was successfully completed, and a dose of 80 mg twice-a-day (BID) was carried over to the MAD study which is currently ongoing.

The publications will be available on the Unicycive website here.

About UNI-494

UNI-494 is a novel nicotinamide ester derivative and a selective ATP-sensitive mitochondrial potassium channel activator. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the progression of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. UNI-494 has a novel mechanism of action that restores mitochondrial function and may be beneficial for the treatment of several diseases including kidney disease. Unicycive is currently conducting a Phase 1 dose-ranging safety study in healthy volunteers in the United Kingdom that is expected to complete in 2H of 2024. UNI-494 is protected by issued patent(s) in the U.S. and Europe and a wide range of patent applications worldwide. UNI-494 has been granted orphan drug designation (ODD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of Delayed Graft Function (DGF) in kidney transplant patients.

About Delayed Graft Function

Delayed Graft Function (DGF) refers to the acute kidney injury (AKI) that occurs in the first week after kidney transplantation, which necessitates dialysis intervention. As the name indicates, DGF can result in sub-optimal or impaired graft function and is one of the most common and serious complications of kidney transplantation. Poor kidney function in the first week of graft life is detrimental to the longevity of the allograft. DGF is also associated with higher rates of tissue rejection and decreased patient survival. Currently, there are no FDA approved drugs for the treatment of DGF.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is known to be a major causative factor for the AKI that results in DGF during kidney transplantation. Ischemic preconditioning, that works by activating KATP channels in mitochondria, is a natural endogenous mechanism which protects cells from IRI in the heart, kidney, liver, and other organs. UNI-494 is a pharmacological approach that emulates and enhances this natural phenomenon of ischemic preconditioning.

About Unicycive Therapeutics

Unicycive Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel treatments for kidney diseases. Unicycive’s lead drug candidate, oxylanthanum carbonate (OLC), is a novel investigational phosphate binding agent being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. UNI-494 is a patent-protected new chemical entity in clinical development for the treatment of conditions related to acute kidney injury. For more information, please visit Unicycive.com and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimated” and “intend” or other similar terms or expressions that concern Unicycive’s expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on Unicycive’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are several factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, clinical trials involve a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results; our clinical trials may be suspended or discontinued due to unexpected side effects or other safety risks that could preclude approval of our product candidates; risks related to business interruptions, which could seriously harm our financial condition and increase our costs and expenses; dependence on key personnel; substantial competition; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties related to market conditions and other factors described more fully in the section entitled ‘Risk Factors’ in Unicycive’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Unicycive specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:

ir@unicycive.com
(650) 543-5470

SOURCE: Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.

Source: Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.

Released March 13, 2024

Release – Unicycive Therapeutics Issues Shareholder Letter to Highlight Corporate Progress and Key Upcoming Milestones

Research News and Market Data on UNCY

January 23, 2024 7:03am EST Download as PDF

– Topline Data from OLC Pivotal Trial Expected in Q2 2024 –
– OLC will target the multibillion-dollar hyperphosphatemia market –

LOS ALTOS, Calif., Jan. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNCY), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for patients with kidney disease (the “Company or “Unicycive”), today issued a letter to shareholders.

Dear Shareholders:

As I sit down to write this letter, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and excitement, energized for the year ahead. I remain as confident as ever that the work we’re doing at Unicycive will change the treatment paradigm in kidney disease and leave a lasting impact for patients, physicians, and for you, our shareholders.

When I founded Unicycive in 2016 I knew the journey we were embarking on was ambitious—to offer hope to the millions of patients suffering from chronic kidney diseases who continue to go underserved. Thanks to your unwavering support and the steadfast commitment of our small but mighty team, I am constantly amazed at how we’re able to tackle obstacles head on, solve problems efficiently, and continue to move closer to our goal.

In this letter, I am pleased to recap for you another year of great accomplishments. We’ve made significant advancements in our clinical programs which will propel us to new heights in 2024.

Addressing a Critical Need

Today, dialysis patients experience an excessive pill burden that is among the highest across various chronic disease states including HIV/AIDS, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure. Phosphate binders to treat hyperphosphatemia account for half of the problem.1

Importantly, uncontrolled hyperphosphatemia is strongly associated with increased hospitalization and mortality.2

Our lead program, Oxylanthanum Carbonate, or OLC, is a next-generation lanthanum-based phosphate binding agent utilizing proprietary nanoparticle technology with two key advantages. First, only three tablets are required per day (versus as many as 12) and each are meaningfully smaller in size compared to the currently approved phosphate binders. Second, the tablets are swallowed whole with water and not chewed, making it easier for patients to take.3

The novel characteristics of OLC show its potential to be a best-in-class product to treat hyperphosphatemia by reducing the pill burden volume by more than 4-fold compared to the most prescribed phosphate binder.

During 2023 we made significant progress with OLC under the FDA’s 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway which allows us to reference the already approved drug, lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenol®4) to streamline our submission package. As reported in December 2022, OLC was evaluated in a previous bioequivalence study that measured efficacy in healthy volunteers (n=80) in which OLC has found to be equivalent to the reference drug, Fosrenol.

Last year, we gained alignment with the FDA on the overall data package required (preclinical, clinical and CMC) to file a New Drug Application (NDA). The Agency agreed with our proposed clinical study design including sample size, duration of treatment, and primary endpoint of the study. Last month, we initiated the pivotal clinical trial (NCT06218290) to evaluate the tolerability of OLC in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis (n=60) and expect to report topline data in the second quarter of this year. This is the last major component to complete our data package to file an NDA with the FDA, which we intend to submit mid-year.

If approved, OLC will target the multibillion-dollar hyperphosphatemia market and will be a new potential therapy for physicians to administer to their patients.

Strong Scientific Leadership with OLC

This year we continued to publish scientific data on OLC at national and international conferences. We presented five posters on OLC at conferences including at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and European Renal Association (ERA).

We also published two manuscripts on OLC in peer reviewed journals. The American Journal of Nephrology publication highlighted the phosphate binding capacity of OLC showing that OLC had the lowest daily phosphate binder dose volume and the lowest volume required to bind one gram of phosphate compared to five other commercially available phosphate binders.

Increasing Market Awareness

A top priority for us in 2023 was growing market awareness of OLC’s potential best-in-class product profile. We conducted live and virtual advisory board meetings with some of the country’s most influential nephrologists. Also, for the first time, Unicycive exhibited at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week, the world’s premier nephrology conference where we showcased the high unmet need in the management of hyperphosphatemia and the urgent need for new therapies like OLC (https://www.lesspillburden.com). We are encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive reception to the OLC story and are planning continued market-shaping activities for 2024.

Portfolio Expansion

In addition to OLC, we continue to advance our second compound UNI-494 for the treatment of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. UNI-494 is a novel nicotinamide ester derivative and a selective ATP-sensitive mitochondrial potassium channel activator. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the progression of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. UNI-494 has a novel mechanism of action that restores mitochondrial function and may be beneficial for the treatment of several diseases including kidney disease. The asset is currently in a Phase 1 dose-ranging safety study in healthy volunteers in the United Kingdom that is expected to complete this year.

UNI-494 is protected by issued patents in the U.S. and Europe and a wide range of patent applications worldwide.

Looking Ahead

We believe 2024 will be a transformational year for Unicycive. We will report out our pivotal data for OLC next quarter and plan to complete our data package and submit an NDA mid-year. We continue to work closely with the medical community to publish data on our programs and plan for future commercialization of OLC.

As a company, all of our stakeholders are vital to our success. I would like to express my deep appreciation to the physician investigators, study participants, and especially to our dedicated Unicycive employees. The progress we have made demonstrates what’s possible when we believe in the work we are doing and come together to make a meaningful difference.

Thank you for your support,

Shalabh Gupta, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Unicycive

About Unicycive Therapeutics

Unicycive Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel treatments for kidney diseases. Unicycive’s lead drug candidate, oxylanthanum carbonate (OLC), is a novel investigational phosphate binding agent being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. UNI-494 is a patent-protected new chemical entity in late preclinical development for the treatment of acute kidney injury. For more information, please visit Unicycive.com and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimated” and “intend” or other similar terms or expressions that concern Unicycive’s expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on Unicycive’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are several factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, clinical trials involve a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results; our clinical trials may be suspended or discontinued due to unexpected side effects or other safety risks that could preclude approval of our product candidates; risks related to business interruptions, which could seriously harm our financial condition and increase our costs and expenses; dependence on key personnel; substantial competition; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties related to market conditions and other factors described more fully in the section entitled ‘Risk Factors’ in Unicycive’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Unicycive specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

References:
1 Chiu YW, et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009
2 Block GA, et al. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2004
3 Dosing information: www.accessdata.fda.gov
4 Fosrenol® is a registered trademark of Shire International Licensing BV.

Investor Contact:

ir@unicycive.com
(650) 543-5470

SOURCE: Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.

Released January 23, 2024