Additional ENHANCE Study Analyses for COPD Treatment at ATS 2024

Verona Pharma plc has announced its participation at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in 2024, where it will present eight posters and two oral presentations. These will showcase further insights from the company's Phase 3 ENHANCE studies, which focused on the use of ensifentrine for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ensifentrine is a first-in-class drug that inhibits two enzymes, PDE3 and PDE4, and is currently under review by the US FDA. If approved, it could be the first new inhaled treatment for COPD in over two decades.

The data to be presented at the conference is based on the ENHANCE-1 and ENHANCE-2 trials, which showed that ensifentrine significantly improved lung function and reduced the rate and risk of moderate to severe COPD exacerbations. The findings will be detailed in posters discussing the drug's efficacy and safety when added to existing treatments, such as long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) or long-acting beta-agonist/inhaled corticosteroids (LABA/ICS). The company will also discuss the impact of ensifentrine on dyspnea and quality of life.

Dr. Frank Sciurba, an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, highlighted the significance of the pooled analyses from the ENHANCE studies, stating that ensifentrine could become a vital therapy for a wide range of COPD patients, particularly due to its ability to substantially reduce exacerbation rates and risks.

Verona Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing therapies for chronic respiratory diseases with unmet needs. The company's New Drug Application for ensifentrine has been accepted by the FDA, with a target action date set for June 26, 2024. Ensifentrine has the potential to be a groundbreaking treatment, combining bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory properties in a single molecule. The company has also explored other formulations of ensifentrine and is developing a fixed-dose combination with glycopyrrolate, another LAMA, for COPD treatment. Verona Pharma is also investigating the drug's potential in treating other respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, asthma, and more.

The conference presentations will provide a comprehensive overview of ensifentrine's potential benefits and will be an opportunity for Verona Pharma to engage with the medical community and share its research findings.