Synairgen uses biomarkers to refine inhaled IFN-beta trial

As part of a Phase I trial in moderate asthmatics, UK-based Synairgen is monitoring predictors of efficacy by measuring biomarkers that will show if inhaled interferon-beta successfully restarts the body's natural antiviral defences.

During September Synairgen has tested samples collected in an earlier study of inhaled IFN-beta (SG003) for these biomarkers. This yielded a highly promising result, showing that the primary antiviral biomarker (Neopterin) was raised in sputum levels 24 hours after dosing and remained unchanged in blood. This indicates that inhaled interferon was on target within the lung and the risk of unwanted systemic effects is low, the firm noted.

Company founder Stephen Holgate, said, "these results are very exciting - they indicate that the strengthening of localized antiviral defences by administering inhaled IFN-beta, as originally detected with our human in vitro asthmatic lung models, has translated directly into our first human studies. This gives us considerable confidence as we look to both the current and forthcoming clinical trials."