Oryzon shares soar on safety clinical trial approval

BarcelonaOryzon Genomics shares rose this Monday after learning that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has authorized the initiation of a Phase Ib clinical trial of the molecule yadademstate for sickle cell anemia (SCA). This drug is used against highly aggressive cancers such as leukemia and works by blocking the action of a protein called LSD1, which has been shown to promote tumor cell multiplication.

The company, whose shares are up more than 3%, highlights that this will be the first clinical trial investigating yadademstate in a non-malignant hematological indication. The Phase Ib study, called Restore, will be conducted at several centers in Spain. The goal is to recruit 40 adult patients with SCD to evaluate the safety and tolerability of yadademstate and to establish its recommended dose for Phase 2.

SCD is a chronic, inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation that leads to the production of hemoglobin S (HbS) instead of HbS. Under low oxygen conditions, HbS tends to polymerize, causing red blood cells to become sickle-shaped, rigid, and fragile. This leads to microvascular occlusion, hemolysis, and chronic inflammation.

"We are very pleased to be the only LSD1 inhibitor currently in clinical development for SCD. Inhibiting LSD1 represents a highly promising therapeutic approach for this disease, which affects approximately 7.7 million people worldwide," said Dr. Ana Limón, Vice President of Oryzon.