PERTH, Australia – Stem cell therapy company Mesoblast Ltd. provided new subgroup analyses from its phase III advanced chronic heart failure trial showing a greater treatment benefit from rexlemestrocel-L in high-risk patients with chronic heart failure and low ejection fraction (HFrEF) with diabetes or ischemia.
A phase III trial testing the oral antiviral favipiravir for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 failed to hit statistical significance on the primary endpoint of time to sustained clinical recovery, sponsor Appili Therapeutics Inc. said. Company shares (TSX:APLI) plummeted Nov. 11, falling 53.6% to CA26 cents (US21 cents). Originally approved for the treatment of pandemic flu, favipiravir has since gained marketing authorizations for the treatment of COVID-19 in several markets.
Ritter Pharmaceuticals Inc. is reeling from the phase III failure of its lead candidate, RP-G28, designed for patients with lactose intolerance. RP-G28 failed to demonstrate statistical significance in its primary endpoint as the top-line data showed it had no or little difference on patients compared to placebo. The data also show RP-G28 missed its secondary endpoints, all of which casts a shadow on the company and its pipeline.