Patara Pharma, an orphan drug startup, will use a $26 million investment to accelerate testing of its treatment for chronic cough and systemic mastocytosis.
Patara’s drug candidate has already passed Phase I trials. It will use the new investment for a series of Phase II tests, according to a news release. One Phase II trial is already underway in Europe testing patients with refractory chronic cough and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Studies should finish by mid-2016.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Patara thinks it has a solution for sufferers of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, asthma, COPD, and GERD that also have chronic cough. The company’s treatment bolsters mast cells, which help fight allergic reactions and protect against pathogens.
In the case of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the company estimates about 150,000 Americans have the disease and about 40 percent of that group suffer from chronic cough.
In addition, 30,000 Americans suffer from systemic mastocytosis and about half of these suffers have regular allergic symptoms.
The two-year-old company, which is based in San Diego, California, also announced a $7 million line of credit from Silicon Valley Bank. FierceBiotech noted that Patara was started by executives from Elevation, which was acquired in a $430 million deal with Sunovion.
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
A phone call and e-mail to Patara seeking additional details were not returned.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
