MannKind Corporation will develop a dry powder formulation of Thirona Bio’s FBM5712 ALK-5 kinase inhibitor, the companies have announced. The deal gives MannKind the option to license the compound for the treatment of fibrotic diseases in the lung and includes “a convertible promissory note purchase agreement to support Thirona’s Series A financing.”
ALK-5 kinase is a receptor kinase for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which is a factor in fibrosis. Thirona has been developing FBM5712 as a topical preventative/treatment for skin fibrosis; MannKind Chief Scientific Officer Thomas Hofmann notes that “TGF-β is also implicated in lung fibrotic diseases and ALK-5 has been validated as a potential target for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.”
Thirona Bio founder and CEO Gordon Foulkes commented, “This collaboration with MannKind gives Thirona the opportunity to potentially expand the development of FBM5712 into fibrotic lung diseases with a new formulation. We remain focused on the dermatological applications of this drug – targeting scleroderma, keloid scars and certain cancers – and now look forward to exploring lung indications with the experienced MannKind team.”
MannKind CEO Michael Castagna said, “We recently announced our goal of launching a new product from our pipeline every year between 2025 and 2030. We are excited by the opportunity to evaluate FBM5712 and to assess its potential to support our pipeline ambitions.”
The company’s pipeline currently includes the expansion of Afrezza inhaled insulin to India and Australia, as well as to pediatric populations; cannabidiol Technosphere, which is licensed to Receptor Life Sciences; and Tyvaso DPI, licensed to United Therapeutics, which submitted an NDA for the DPI earlier this year.
Read the MannKind Corporation and Thirona Bio press release.
