Benzinga | Oct 7, 2020 08:27AM EDT

Calithera Biosciences Reports CB-280 Arginase Inhibitor Trial In Progress Poster Presented At North American Cystic Fibrosis Virtual Conference

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:CALA), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel small-molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, today announced that a poster detailing the trial design of a Phase 1b study of CB-280, the company's arginase inhibitor, is being presented today at the North American Cystic Fibrosis (NACFC) 2020 Virtual Conference.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple ascending dose-escalation study (NCT04279769) is exploring CB-280 versus placebo in adults with cystic fibrosis and chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa who are stable on cystic fibrosis medications, including cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators. The study is evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and biological activity of four dose cohorts versus placebo. Enrollment in this study is ongoing and Calithera expects to share interim data in 2021.

The poster presentation includes preclinical study results which suggest CB-280 significantly improved lung function and reduced Pseudomonas aeruginosa colony-forming units in pre-clinical models. Arginase inhibition with CB-280 resulted in improved central airway resistance in CFTR knockout mice, and decreased lung infection in wild type and DeltaF508-CFTR-expressing mice infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

"CB-280 is the first arginase inhibitor to be evaluated for the treatment of cystic fibrosis," said Susan Molineaux, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Calithera. "There remains a significant need for investment in and therapeutic innovations for cystic fibrosis, and based on the strong mechanistic rationale, we are optimistic about the potential for arginase inhibition in the treatment of this devastating disease."

Title: A phase 1B randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate CB-280 in patients with cystic fibrosis

Poster: 467

First Author Joel D. Mermis, M.D., University of Kansas Medical Center

A copy of the poster will be available at www.calithera.com in the publications section.