Unravel Biosciences, in collaboration with PECET (the clinical research unit of the University of Antioquia), will initiate clinical trials of RVL-001 for Rett syndrome (RTT) and Pitt Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) in Colombia. This collaboration aims to address the significant unmet need for effective treatments for these rare neurogenetic disorders, with patient dosing expected to begin in early 2025.
The clinical trial agreement designates PECET as the study site for Unravel's proof-of-concept clinical trials. RVL-001 was identified as a potentially promising therapeutic drug for Rett Syndrome and PTHS through Unravel's proprietary BioNAV™ drug discovery platform.
Addressing Unmet Needs in Rare Neurogenetic Disorders
Rett syndrome and Pitt Hopkins syndrome are rare neurogenetic disorders that manifest in early childhood, leading to cognitive, motor, and autonomic disabilities. While there is one approved treatment for RTT, significant unmet needs remain for novel treatments with meaningful efficacy and acceptable safety profiles. Currently, there are no known treatments for PTHS.
"We are excited to collaborate with the highly skilled PECET team to accelerate therapeutics development for rare disease patients," said Richard Novak, Ph.D., Unravel Co-Founder and CEO. "By conducting multiple clinical trials in parallel at a single clinical trial site enables faster and less costly drug development to support more patients with unmet needs."
RVL-001 and RVL-002: Novel Therapeutic Approaches
Unravel Biosciences is also developing RVL-002, a first-in-class novel molecule for Rett syndrome, in addition to the RVL-001 program for RTT and PTHS. The company has initiated development work on RVL-027, a molecule targeting a novel mechanism to treat dystonias.
Trial Initiation and Future Plans
Initiation of patient dosing for the RVL-001 trial in RTT and the extension trial in PTHS are anticipated in early 2025. Study startup activities, including clinical trial material manufacturing and patient recruitment, have already begun.
"We are pleased to be the designated clinical trial center for Unravel, it is a great challenge that we will take on with great enthusiasm to contribute to the search for solutions for this type of disease," said Iván Darío Vélez, Professor Emeritus of the University of Antioquia and founder of PECET. "PECET has extensive expertise conducting clinical studies with international biopharma sponsors including US to support worldwide registration and approval and we look forward to supporting Unravel in their development efforts".
