Inomagen Therapeutics (formerly Rhythm Therapeutics) announced the approval of the company’s Phase 2 Pre-Clinical segment – NIH SBIR Fast Track Award totaling $1,636,504 million.
Inomagen Therapeutics notes that the proceeds from the award will be utilized to continue the advancement of the company’s novel gene therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), the world’s most common arrythmia. Future milestones to be achieved under the Phase 2 award include determining the optimal doses of gene attenuating electrical and structural remodeling in large animal models of AF.
AF is characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate occurring when the two upper chambers of the heart experience chaotic electrical signals resulting in irregular heart rhythm. AF is a growing epidemic straining healthcare resources with 6 million people in the U.S. afflicted and prevalence expected to grow to >10 million by 2035.
Current treatment regimens include performing cardiac ablation which burns patient heart tissues to alleviate symptoms. Unfortunately, ablation is largely ineffective in “persistent” AF (in patients experiencing symptoms lasting over a 7-day period) which makes up 50% of all patients. One of the primary reasons for ablation’s ineffectiveness is the procedure does not target the key underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for aberrant electrical remodeling and formation of fibrotic tissues.
Alternatively, Inomagen’s gene therapy targets the molecular mechanisms causing AF and has generated compelling proof-of-concept in large animal models. As a result, Inomagen’s gene therapy has the potential to supplant ablation, a $7 billion industry growing at 11.8% per year as the standard of care.
Inomagen Therapeutic: We thank our Board, management team, investors, and advisors for their incredible support of the company and shared vision to change the treatment paradigm for AF including the potential for superior efficacy and safety.
“Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R44HL154912. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.”