Why This Cardiopulmonary Trial Is a Big Hit

By Chris Lange Updated Jan 11, 3:58AM EST · Published Sep 25, 10:10AM EDT

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Why This Cardiopulmonary Trial Is a Big Hit — © BrianAJackson / Getty Images

PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: PHAS) shares jumped on Wednesday after the firm announced results from its midstage trial focused on novel therapies for cardiopulmonary orphan diseases. Specifically, the data is coming from its Phase 2a clinical trial of PB2452.

In the trial, PB2452 achieved immediate and sustained reversal of ticagrelor in older (ages 50 to 64) and elderly (ages 65 to 80) subjects on dual antiplatelet therapy of ticagrelor and low-dose aspirin.

Overall, PB2452 was generally well tolerated, with only minor adverse events reported. These results are consistent with the results observed in healthy younger subjects treated with ticagrelor in the previously published Phase 1 trial.

The older and elderly subjects in the Phase 2a trial resemble the patient population most likely to be treated with ticagrelor and to potentially benefit from PB2452, if approved.

Based on guidance provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Phase 2a trial also investigated a PB2452 regimen for the reversal of supratherapeutic doses of ticagrelor in healthy younger subjects. In the supratherapeutic-dose cohort, PB2452 demonstrated immediate and sustained reversal of ticagrelor and was well tolerated, consistent with the earlier cohorts in the Phase 2a and Phase 1 trials.

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Statistically significant reversal of the antiplatelet activity of supratherapeutic blood levels of ticagrelor was achieved within five minutes of initiation of PB2452 infusion and sustained for 24 hours. Platelet function was normalized by 30 minutes following initiation of PB2452 infusion and remained normal for 24 hours. Based on the preliminary results from this cohort, PhaseBio believes that it has identified an appropriate PB2452 regimen for use in patients who may have supratherapeutic blood levels of ticagrelor as a result of ticagrelor drug-drug interactions or overdosage.

John Lee, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of PhaseBio, commented:

With the successful completion of our Phase 1 and 2a studies, we are excited to be moving forward into our registrational studies for PB2452. Our defined regulatory path for PB2452 remains on track as we prepare to advance the program into a Phase 2b trial in the fourth quarter of this year and a pivotal Phase 3 trial in the first quarter of 2020. We continue to be encouraged about the potential of PB2452 to address a significant unmet need for patients by reversing the antiplatelet activity of ticagrelor in major bleeding and urgent surgery situations.

Shares of PhaseBiotraded up about 19% Wednesday morning to $4.67, in a 52-week range of $2.55 to $16.65. The consensus price target is $20.67.

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About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.