In a Foundation investment worth up to $3 million, Alnara Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical company, will complete the ongoing Phase III long-term
Liprotamase was previously in development with Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc. and was known as ALTU-135 and Trizytek.
“The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is excited to enter into a licensing agreement with Alnara for the development of liprotamase, which has the potential to be the first
The Development History of Liprotamase
Liprotamase, which has been in development since 2002, was originally discovered and tested by Altus Pharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, Altus discontinued development in January 2009. Unwilling to let this important therapy languish, the Foundation retrieved rights to the potential drug from Altus, maintained its clinical progress and searched for a company to see the enzyme through the approval process.
The Foundation selected Alnara because of its unique experience with the pancreatic enzyme therapies: two key members of management were involved in developing the original product at Altus. Alnara also plans to develop a pediatric liquid form of the pancreatic enzyme.
Cystic Fibrosis and Pancreatic Insufficiency
Pancreatic insufficiency occurs in approximately 90 percent of people with cystic fibrosis and is treated with pancreatic
In addition, liprotamase offers potential advantages over the current