Arch acquires a new CKD platform that has the potential to produce next-generation CKD drugs for the pharmaceutical industry Based on a novel mechanism of action involving IL-32 and directly implicated in CKD, discovered in pre-clinical studies led by Dr. Justin Chun The Company has filed both composition and method of use patents relating to the CKD platform. The Arch CKD program will be led by Dr. Justin Chun, who joins the Company as a Principal Scientist CKD is largely an unmet medical need, currently a ...

Core Insights - Arch Biopartners Inc. has initiated patient recruitment for the Phase II trial named "Prevention Of NephroToxin Induced Acute Kidney Injury with Cilastatin" (PONTIAK) in Alberta, Canada [1][2] Company Overview - Arch Biopartners is a late-stage clinical trial company focused on preventing acute kidney injury (AKI) and organ damage caused by inflammation [11] - The company is developing a platform of novel drugs targeting the dipeptidase-1 (DPEP1) inflammation pathway prevalent in the kidneys, lungs, and liver [11] Clinical Trial Details - The PONTIAK study aims to evaluate the efficacy of cilastatin in preventing AKI associated with nephrotoxic pharmaceuticals, enrolling approximately 698 patients across five hospital sites in Alberta [2][3] - The trial has secured $1.5 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and an additional $400,000 from the Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) initiative [3] Drug Information - Cilastatin was originally developed in the early 1980s to limit the breakdown of imipenem, a β-lactam antibiotic, and is currently marketed in combination with imipenem [7] - Arch Biopartners has manufactured the first-ever stand-alone cilastatin drug product for the trial and holds exclusive method-of-use patents to repurpose cilastatin for AKI treatment [4][8] Market Context - Drug toxins account for approximately 30% of AKI cases in hospitalized patients, with common culprits including antibiotics and chemotherapy agents [6] - There is currently no specific therapeutic treatment available on the market that prevents AKI, highlighting a significant unmet medical need [5][12]

Core Viewpoint - Arch Biopartners Inc. has received ethics approval for its Phase II trial of LSALT peptide aimed at preventing cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) [1][2] Group 1: Trial Details - The CS-AKI Phase II trial is an international, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study targeting 240 patients [3] - The primary objective is to evaluate the percentage of subjects with acute kidney injury within seven days following on-pump cardiac surgery, based on KDIGO criteria [3][4] Group 2: Recruitment and Locations - Toronto General Hospital is the seventh site activated globally and the second in Canada for patient recruitment [2] - The company plans to reduce recruitment in Turkey and increase it in Canada to enhance the trial's geographic and demographic data [2] Group 3: Background on CS-AKI and LSALT Peptide - CS-AKI is often caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury, leading to kidney cell damage, with no current therapeutic treatments available for this condition [5][6] - LSALT peptide is the lead drug candidate targeting the DPEP1 pathway, showing promise in preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury in pre-clinical models [6][8] Group 4: Incidence and Impact of CS-AKI - The prevalence of CS-AKI can be as high as 30% in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgeries, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality [7]