LA JOLLA, Calif. - CalciMedica Inc. (NASDAQ: CALC), a biopharmaceutical company, revealed findings from preclinical studies that suggest its drug Auxora may accelerate kidney function recovery and improve survival rates in acute kidney injury (AKI) models. These results were shared at the 29th International Acute Kidney Injury and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Conference in San Diego.
The study, led by Professor David Basile, demonstrated that Auxora, when administered to rats after ischemic injury, resulted in nearly complete recovery of kidney function in Stage 2 AKI models and survival with modest recovery in more severe Stage 3 AKI models. The drug works by inhibiting Orai1 activity, which is believed to play a role in the development of AKI by contributing to the activation and infiltration of pro-inflammatory Th17 cells in the kidneys.
AKI is a condition characterized by a rapid decline in kidney function, often resulting from critical illnesses. In the United States, around 3.7 million patients are hospitalized with AKI annually, and there are no approved therapies for the condition.
CalciMedica's upcoming KOURAGE trial, a Phase 2 study, will test Auxora in severe AKI patients with associated acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). The trial is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2024, enrolling patients with Stage 2 and Stage 3 AKI who are receiving various forms of oxygen support. The primary endpoint of the KOURAGE trial will be the number of days patients are alive without the need for ventilators or dialysis through day 30.
Auxora is also being evaluated in other trials, including a Phase 2b trial for acute pancreatitis and an investigator-sponsored trial for pediatric patients with asparaginase-induced pancreatic toxicity.
These recent developments come from a press release statement by CalciMedica, which is dedicated to creating novel therapies for inflammatory and immunologic diseases through the inhibition of CRAC channels. The company's lead candidate, Auxora, has shown positive and consistent clinical results across multiple trials and is poised to enter further clinical testing phases.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.