7 Hills Pharma, a clinical stage immunotherapy company that develops drugs and treatment options for preventing cancer and infectious diseases, has reportedly announced that the initiation of Phase 1 trial of 7HP349. According to the credible reports, the phase-1 trial will determine the tolerability, safety and pharmacokinetics of the drug.

For those uninitiated, 7HP349 drug is an immunostimulant developed for the first time which reportedly helps in increasing the effectiveness of immunotherapies. The drug is designed to improve cell adhesion and activate integrins for strong immune response to vaccinations for illnesses like influenza and COVID-19, and immuno-oncology drugs like checkpoint inhibitors.

Ph.D., MBA, President and CEO of 7 Hills Pharma, Upendra Marathi, reportedly claimed that the development of drug is a milestone for the company as well as for the Texas Heart Institute (THI). He further mentioned that the scientists at THI provided crucial insights regarding the integrin-mediated cell adhesion in the immune system and found compounds that causes direct activation of selective integrins in order to stabilize the cell-to-cell interactions, further allowing for robust immune response to immunotherapies.

A MB BCh., M.D., and Chief Medical Officer at 7 Hills Pharma, Lionel Lewis, mentioned that the company intends to begin with Phase 2 drug trials next year after achieving successful results of Phase 1.

Darren Woodside, Ph.D., Vice President for Research at THI, Cofounder and an investor in 7 Hills Pharma reportedly stated that the 7HP349 is the first ever immunostimulant that will be developed to be used with vaccines and immuno-oncology drugs. He further added that if the drug gives successful results, it could be a game changer by being useful to large number of patients. 

As per the trusted reports, 7 Hills Pharma had received a two-year grant of $2 million as Small Business Innovation Research by the U.S. National Institutes of Health to support their Phase 1 trial.

Source credits –

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/11/09/2122467/0/en/7-Hills-Pharma-Announces-First-Healthy-Volunteers-Dosed-in-Landmark-Phase-1-Trial-of-Immunostimulant-to-Improve-Immuno-Oncology-Drugs-COVID-19-and-Influenza-Vaccines.html