Armata Pharmaceuticals announced that it plans to initiate clinical development of inhaled AP-PA02, a phage cocktail the company is developing for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis patients. The SAD portion of the Phase 1b/2a SWARM-P.a. study is expected to begin by the end of 2020.
Armata Pharmaceuticals CEO Todd R. Patrick said, “We are very pleased that the FDA has cleared our IND, and we plan to initiate clinical development of AP-PA02 by the end of this year, consistent with our original guidance notwithstanding disruptions to drug development timelines across the industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from this study, which we are calling SWARM-P.a. to reflect the manner in which phage attack dangerous pathogens, will be our company’s first clinical trial to evaluate a phage-based therapy as a potential treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infections. This clinical trial will contribute to the evaluation of the potential of phage to combat multi-drug resistant infections, and potentially usher in a new era in the fight to develop alternatives to antibiotics.”
Patrick added, “Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are particularly dangerous for cystic fibrosis patients, and I would once again like to express my gratitude to the CF Foundation for the important financial and clinical support that they are providing to help advance this candidate through clinical trials as efficiently as possible. While the study will initially evaluate AP-PA02 in combination with standard antibiotics, our ultimate goal with this product candidate is to replace antibiotics as a front-line therapy.”
Read the Armata Pharmaceuticals press release.
