Arcturus Therapeutics extends cystic fibrosis treatment deal

Arcturus Therapeutics has extended an existing agreement with the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation for advancing ARCT-032.

ARCT-032 is an investigational messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) therapy that was formulated leveraging the LUNAR delivery technology of Arcturus and will be advanced to treat cystic fibrosis.

The CF Foundation will increase its funding to $25m to develop the mRNA therapeutic candidate. 

The new deal builds on an initial research programme that commenced in 2017. The first agreement aided in progressing ARCT-032 into clinical trials that are currently under way.

Arcturus concluded the dosing of healthy subjects in the Phase I clinical trial of the ARCT-032 programme.

Arcturus Therapeutics chief scientific officer Pad Chivukula stated: “We are thrilled to extend our productive relationship with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and we are grateful for their meaningful financial support. 

“ARCT-032 has the potential to express fully functional CFTR protein in the lung, thereby addressing the root cause of cystic fibrosis. 

“The resources and valuable expertise provided by the CF Foundation will support the continued clinical development of ARCT-032, including the completion of a Phase Ib study that we plan to initiate imminently in adults living with cystic fibrosis.”

The company’s pipeline comprises RNA therapeutic candidates for the potential treatment of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency and cystic fibrosis.

It also contains mRNA vaccine programmes for Covid-19 and influenza through partnerships.

In December 2022, the company finalised a collaboration and licence deal with CSL Seqirus to conduct research, development, production and global marketing of self-amplifying mRNA vaccines.

Cell & Gene Therapy coverage on Pharmaceutical Technology is supported by Cytiva.

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