Shanghai MicuRx Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has announced the successful completion of a Phase 1 clinical trial in Australia for MRX-5, a novel oral antibacterial agent designed to combat nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections. The study, conducted at the Nucleus Network Research Center, marks a significant step forward in the development of a new treatment option for this increasingly prevalent and challenging condition.
Phase 1 Trial Details
The Phase 1 trial was a first-in-human study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and food effect of orally administered MRX-5 in healthy adult volunteers. Participants received single and multiple ascending doses of the drug.
Key findings from the trial include:
- MRX-5 was generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse events (SAEs) reported.
- The majority of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild (CTCAE Grade 1) and resolved without intervention.
- Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that MRX-6038, the active metabolite of MRX-5, exhibited a linear and predictable PK profile after single oral doses ranging from 50mg to 1200mg.
- Food intake did not significantly affect the absorption of MRX-5.
Potential Impact on NTM Treatment
NTM infections are on the rise globally, and current treatment options are limited. These infections, caused by mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae, can lead to lesions in various tissues and organs, with NTM lung disease being the most common manifestation. Current treatments typically involve multidrug combination therapy with antibiotics, which can be lengthy, associated with drug resistance, and have significant adverse effects.
MRX-5, a novel benzoxazole antibiotic, has demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against NTM pathogens in preclinical studies. It is specifically developed for the treatment of NTM pulmonary disease and offers potential advantages such as high specificity, oral bioavailability, low resistance rates, and a favorable safety profile. The company plans to explore an all-oral treatment strategy incorporating MRX-5 to provide safer and more effective options for treating NTM infections.
About MRX-5
MRX-5 is designed to address the increasing incidence and prevalence of NTM diseases. It has shown minimal interactions, low resistance potential, and high oral bioavailability, making it suitable for long-term use in treating chronic infections. The successful completion of the Phase 1 trial supports the further development of MRX-5 as a potential new treatment for NTM infections.