:::Avontec:::Asthma:::

Asthma, one of the most common diseases in developed countries, is an inflammatory disease of the conducting airways characterized by bronchial edema, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction.

Important medical need

In mild to moderate disease, standard therapies such as short-acting beta-agonists and topical or systemic corticosteroids are very effective. However, in severe asthma, which affects only five to ten per cent of the asthma population but accounts for up to 50 per cent of the total treatment costs, inflammation and clinical symptoms are under poor control. Patients suffering from severe asthma have the highest morbidity and mortality, indicating an important unmet medical need.

Avontec's solution

Avontec's lead drug candidate AVT-01 contains a short, double-stranded oligonucleotide “decoy” that effectively inhibits STAT-1, a transcription factor shown to be strongly involved in the regulation of chronic inflammation. AVT-01 reduced inflammation in numerous pharmacological animal models and single doses of AVT-01 attenuated bronchial hyperresponsiveness in humans. Recently, AVT-01 entered a multiple dosing phase 2a clinical study in asthmatic patients in the United Kingdom and Romania.

AVT-01 product target profile

1st line treatment for severe asthma
Improved safety compared to inhaled steroids
Rapid onset of action (targeted delivery via inhalation)
Less frequent application