Friday, September 08, 2023
In 2021, a collaborative partnership was established between the University of Birmingham and Acticor Biotech with the purpose of conducting the LIBERATE clinical trial. This trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Glenzocimab in the treatment of myocardial infarction. Recently, the University obtained comprehensive regulatory approvals to initiate this study.
This clinical trial represents the culmination of a longstanding collaboration between Acticor Biotech and the University of Birmingham. A recent scientific paper authored by Dr. Mark Thomas, titled "Enhanced Inhibition of Platelet Activation Induced by Atherosclerotic Plaque with Glenzocimab in Combination with Dual Antiplatelet Therapy," was published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis in August. This publication has deepened our understanding of Glenzocimab's mechanism of action and its crucial role as an antithrombotic medication.
The LIBERATE Phase 2b study will be randomized and double-blind, with plans to enroll over 200 patients who have experienced ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and are scheduled for percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary goal of the study is to assess the safety and efficacy of Glenzocimab at a dosage of 1000 mg in comparison to a placebo in reducing myocardial infarct size 90 days after treatment. This trial will be carried out at two acute care hospitals in the UK: the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, and the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield. The recruitment of patients is expected to commence by the end of 2023.
Dr. Mark Thomas, Associate Professor of Cardiology at the University of Birmingham and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist, who designed and led the trial's development, expressed his enthusiasm: "Our recent studies of Glenzocimab at the University of Birmingham have just been published – these elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying its high efficacy in reducing 'blood stickiness,' particularly when used in conjunction with existing medications. We are very pleased to have received regulatory approval to initiate the LIBERATE clinical trial, aimed at investigating whether Glenzocimab can mitigate the type of blood clotting responsible for heart damage during heart attacks. This exciting collaboration with Acticor holds the potential to benefit patients in Birmingham, Sheffield, and around the world."
Professor Jon Townend, who serves as a Consultant Cardiologist at University Hospitals Birmingham, holds an Honorary Professorship in Cardiology within the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Birmingham, and acts as the Chief Investigator for the trial, further emphasized: "This novel drug exhibits significant promise, and we are eager to begin recruiting patients for this pivotal trial."
Yannick Pletan, Chief Medical Officer and General Manager of Acticor Biotech, expressed his optimism, stating, "Glenzocimab has already shown promising results in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, and we aim to validate its therapeutic potential in other cardiovascular emergency scenarios. The LIBERATE Phase 2b study represents an expansion of Glenzocimab's development program to encompass myocardial infarction. We are delighted to collaborate with all the teams involved, particularly the University of Birmingham, which sponsors this study, to broaden the therapeutic applications of Glenzocimab."
Source:businesswire.com
