Fosrugocrixan (KAND145)

Fosrugocrixan is Novakand Pharma’s second generation CX3CR1 antagonist and has been developed solely by the company.

Fosrugocrixan is a so-called pro drug, i.e. it is converted to the active moiety of rugocrixan after administration. Fosrugocrixan has the same mechanism of action as rugocrixan, but certain improved product properties. Novakand Pharma has completed one phase I/first-in-human study with fosrugocrixan in healthy subjects.

Phase I study in healthy subjects

The phase I study with fosrugocrixan is a completed randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter study in healthy subjects with the objective to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and potential food and drug interaction effects. The study was conducted at two sites in Finland and the company reported positive top-line results in May 2024 that showed that:

• Fosrugocrixan is rapidly and effectively converted into rugocrixan in vivo and following conversion the pharmacokinetic profile is similar to when dosing with rugocrixan.
• Fosrugocrixan is safe and tolerable at concentrations expected to be therapeutically effective for treatment of inflammatory conditions in cardiovascular diseases.
• Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics are not impacted by food and the risk of negative interaction effects from other relevant drugs is low.