Nordic Life Science 1
(SALSS) 2021, the Icelandic clinical stage pharma
company EpiEndo received the SALSS Rising Star Award for its level of innovation and potential impact in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a chronic slow progressing inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Patients experience breathing difficulty, cough, and mucus (sputum) production. It is typically caused by long-term exposure to oxidant gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke and air pollution. People with COPD are also at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions. It is the fourth leading cause of death globally, with a prevalence estimated at more than 257 million cases. Available treatments that address symptoms are primarily inhaled drugs, including long-acting adrenoceptor agonists (LABA), long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMA), and corticosteroids (ICS). Founded in 2014, EpiEndo aims to develop a treatment for the global health challenge presented by COPD by taking a new approach whereby epithelial barrier dysfunction in the lung is viewed as a key driver on inflammation in chronic respiratory diseases. “We have a unique focus on impairment of epithelial barriers as a common mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of many inflammatory conditions in surface-tissues such as the airway mucosa, GI tract and skin,” explains Maria Bech, CEO, EpiEndo. “We are trailblazing this approach with our first-in-class lead compound EP395 for the treatment of COPD.” EP395, an oral therapeutic candidate, is currently in phase I clinical development. The lead indication is exacerbation reduction in COPD patients with expansion potential into other airway diseases. “Our primary treatment goal is to prevent or reduce inflammation by preserving and enhancing airway epithelial barrier integrity,” says Bech. The company’s “Barriolide” compounds exemplified by EP395 are non-antibiotic analogues of azithromycin that modulate inflammation by strengthening the junctions between respiratory epithelial cells. By targeting the epithelium, EP395 is likely not only to bring additional improvement to the standard of care (SOC) but potentially to alleviate off-label use of antibiotics and overuse of inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of airway diseases such as COPD, according to Bech. “Multi-resistant bacteria are a growing threat globally and complications of intense use of corticosteroids comprise a significant concern beyond the disease burden. This situation is fueled by the limited responsiveness COPD displays towards SOC and the lack of a safe and effective therapeutic alternative,” she says. Fridrik Gardarsson, Chief Innovation Officer, EpiEndo, Maria Bech, CEO, EpiEndo, and Gunnar Andersson, Honorary Consul of Austria, sponsor of the SALSS Rising Star Award 2021 sculpture.