Researchers from Australia have reported positive results from a Phase II clinical trial of a new carbohydrate-based drug for treating sepsis. The trial, involving 180 patients in China, demonstrated the drug's ability to reduce the condition's severity. This development offers hope for the first targeted therapy against a leading cause of global deaths.
Sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection that can lead to organ failure, claims millions of lives annually and remains without a specific treatment. A new experimental drug, STC3141, developed collaboratively by teams at Griffith University's Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics and The Australian National University, has shown encouraging outcomes in addressing this gap.
The Phase II trial, conducted by Grand Pharmaceutical Group Limited in China, enrolled 180 patients diagnosed with sepsis. Administered via infusion through a cannula, STC3141 targets the excessive release of biological molecules that fuel inflammation and organ damage during the condition. "The trial met the key endpoints to indicate the drug candidate was successful in reducing sepsis in humans," said Distinguished Professor Mark von Itzstein, a lead researcher on the project.
Sepsis arises when the immune system overreacts to an infection, harming the body's own tissues. "When sepsis is not recognized early and managed promptly, it can lead to septic shock, multiple organ failure and death," von Itzstein explained. Unlike current approaches that only manage symptoms, this small-molecule therapy aims to reverse organ damage directly.
With the trial's success, Grand Pharma plans to advance to a Phase III study to confirm efficacy on a larger scale. "It's hoped we could see the treatment reach the market in a handful years, potentially saving millions of lives," von Itzstein added. Professor Paul Clarke, executive director of the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, expressed enthusiasm: "I am thrilled to see the results of the trial which ultimately aims to save lives."
This progress underscores ongoing efforts in translational research to tackle major health challenges worldwide.
