We are currently undertaking research into a potential new treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with Synairgen PLC.
What is the purpose of this study? The purpose of this research study is to test SNG001 (the study medication). SNG001 contains Interferon-β which is a protein that occurs naturally in the body. One of its functions is to combat viruses. Interferon-β has been given as an injection to thousands of patients for other diseases (such as multiple sclerosis).
Recent research has suggested that Interferon-β might protect the cells in the lungs from cold and flu viruses in people who have COPD. The common cold virus is known to cause a worsening of COPD symptoms (known as an exacerbation) in some individuals.
It is hoped that, one day, SNG001 will be given as a treatment to people with COPD to prevent an exacerbation of COPD symptoms caused by the common cold. We will test the study medication to see if it can ‘switch on’ the cells in a way which would help them to fight viruses and to check that it does not affect lung function when inhaled by people with COPD.
Overall, this study aims to evaluate the safety of inhaled SNG001 and the ability of inhaled SNG001 to ‘switch on’ the cells’ anti-viral defences in the lungs in COPD participants. There are two parts to this study; Part 1 will assess the safety of inhaled SNG001 in eight people with COPD and in Part 2 approximately 80 patients with COPD will be entered into the treatment phase of the study, half of which will be given SNG001 and half placebo, for 14 days when they get a cold or have a deterioration in COPD symptoms.