Incannex Healthcare (Nasdaq: IXHL) has strengthened its clinical development team with the appointment of sleep medicine expert Alison Wimms, Ph.D., to its newly formed IHL-42X Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Clinical Advisory Board. Dr. Wimms, representing ResMed, brings two decades of sleep medicine industry and research expertise to support the development of IHL-42X, a novel therapeutic candidate for OSA.
Strategic Expertise for OSA Drug Development
Dr. Wimms holds impressive academic credentials, including a Ph.D. in Medicine and a Master of Medicine in Sleep Medicine from the University of Sydney. Her appointment comes at a crucial time as Incannex advances its global Phase 2/3 'RePOSA' clinical study.
Joel Latham, President and CEO of Incannex, emphasized the strategic importance of the appointment: "Incannex's newly formed clinical advisory board and the appointment of Dr. Wimms underscore our continued dedication to innovation in the field of OSA and transforming patient treatment outcomes."
IHL-42X: Promising Clinical Progress
IHL-42X represents an innovative approach to OSA treatment, combining acetazolamide and dronabinol in an oral fixed-dose formulation. The drug targets two distinct physiological pathways associated with intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia, key characteristics of OSA.
Early clinical results have shown promise. In a previous Australian Phase 2 trial, IHL-42X demonstrated efficacy across all dosage strengths, with the lowest dose achieving an average 51% reduction in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) compared to baseline.
Advancing Global Clinical Trials
The ongoing RePOSA trial is evaluating IHL-42X in patients who are either non-compliant, intolerant, or naïve to positive airway pressure devices, including CPAP. The study's Phase 2 portion is currently underway in the United States, with plans to expand Phase 3 testing to include sites in the United Kingdom and European Union.
Investigators anticipate releasing top-line data from the U.S. Phase 2 portion in the first half of 2025. This milestone will be crucial in determining the drug's potential to address the significant unmet needs in OSA treatment.
Market Impact and Future Implications
The collaboration between Incannex and ResMed, through Dr. Wimms' advisory role, represents a significant step in advancing novel OSA treatments. ResMed, a global leader in sleep apnea and respiratory care solutions, brings valuable industry perspective to IHL-42X's development program.
Dr. Wimms expressed enthusiasm about her new role: "I am excited to join Incannex's OSA Clinical Advisory Board. I look forward to advising on IHL-42X late-stage clinical development."
