Sparrow Pharmaceuticals to Present on SPI-62 for Polymyalgia Rheumatica at ECR 2024

Sparrow Pharmaceuticals is set to present interim findings from a Phase 2 clinical trial of its innovative HSD-1 inhibitor, clofutriben (SPI-62), at the European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2024 in Vienna, Austria. This trial investigates the effects of clofutriben in combination with prednisolone on patients suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). The presentation will be part of a highlighted session celebrating the 75th anniversary of glucocorticoids, under the theme “The 75th Anniversary of Glucocorticoids - what have we learnt?”

The presentation, titled "The 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Inhibitor SPI-62 Differentially Modulates Prednisolone Immune and Musculoskeletal Efficacy and Bone Formation/Resorption Biomarkers in Patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): An Interim Report," will be delivered by Dr. David Katz, Ph.D., Sparrow's Chief Scientific Officer. The session will take place in Room C7 on June 15, 2024, at 12:50 CEDT.

In his presentation, Dr. Katz will elucidate how clofutriben modulates key biomarkers affecting prednisolone's efficacy and toxicity. PMR patients often rely on prednisolone, a glucocorticoid, for treatment. However, long-term use of glucocorticoids is associated with significant side effects. Clofutriben aims to mitigate these adverse effects by targeting the enzymatic activity of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 (HSD-1), which is responsible for converting inactive cortisone into active cortisol within cells. By inhibiting HSD-1, clofutriben reduces the local amplification of glucocorticoids in tissues, potentially decreasing the associated side effects while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Sparrow Pharmaceuticals was established with the mission of reducing the harmful impacts of steroid treatments. The company leverages lesser-known scientific insights into glucocorticoid biology to create better treatment options for severe hypercortisolism disorders and aims to transform the management of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Clofutriben (SPI-62), their lead product, is a novel oral therapy designed to selectively inhibit HSD-1, thereby lowering the intracellular levels of active glucocorticoids in critical tissues.

The upcoming EULAR 2024 presentation marks a significant milestone for Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, as it will provide new insights into the dual modulation of immune response and musculoskeletal health by clofutriben in conjunction with prednisolone. This combination could offer a more balanced therapeutic approach for PMR patients, addressing both the efficacy and safety concerns associated with long-term glucocorticoid use.

Overall, the research presented at the EULAR 2024 congress will highlight the potential of clofutriben to enhance the clinical management of PMR, offering hope for improved treatment paradigms that minimize the adverse effects commonly seen with conventional glucocorticoid therapies.