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Imara (NASDAQ: IMRA) said it will discontinue further development of tovinontrine (IMR-687) in sickle cell disease (SCD) and beta-thalassemia after the therapy failed to show benefit in two phase 2b trials.
The Boston-based company is also discontinuing the two phase 2b studies – Ardent trial for SCD and Forte trial for beta-thalassemia – following data generated by the interim analysis.
The company said interim data from the Ardent trial for SCD showed no significant difference in median annualized rate of vaso-occlusive crises (episodes of severe pain) (VOC) in high-dose group compared to placebo in an intent-to-treat population.
The median annualized VOC rate in the placebo group was 2.02 VOCs per year and was 1.89 VOCs / year in the high dose tovinontrine group.
The company added that interim data from the Forte trial for beta-thalassemia showed no significant benefit in transfusion burden or improvement in most disease-related biomarkers.
Imara (IMRA) noted that tovinontrine was generally well-tolerated across studies.
“Moving forward, we plan to consider our strategic options, including development of tovinontrine in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as well as IMR-261 clinical development plans,” said Imara President and CEO Rahul Ballal.
IMRA -39.26% to $ 0.99 premarket April 5
