India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 14 January 2025
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical firm, announced encouraging topline findings from an open-label, phase 2 study on congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) using investigational atumelnant, a new, once-daily oral adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) receptor antagonist candidate aimed at treating classic CAH and ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome.
“These exciting results show atumelnant not only lowered key biomarkers, but also had a significant impact on the signs and symptoms of CAH that are important to the overall health of people living with this condition,” said Scott Struthers, Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer of Crinetics. “We are eager to move forward with a global phase 3 pivotal trial for adults in CAH, as we simultaneously prepare to start a phase 2b/3 trial in paediatric patients this year. Our internally discovered pipeline now has two drug candidates with positive late stage data, and we look forward to submitting INDs for four additional candidates now in first-in-human enabling studies, as we continue our strategy for building the premier global endocrine company.”
“There has been a long-standing interest in using a potent, selective antagonist of the ACTH receptor for the treatment of CAH and other diseases of ACTH excess, leading to the design of atumelnant by Crinetics scientists” said Dr. Alan Krasner, M.D., chief endocrinologist of Crinetics. “This phase 2 study demonstrated that atumelnant was well tolerated and resulted in a reduction of adrenal androgen levels so rapid and robust that it allowed patients to realize meaningful improvements in long-term, pre-existing medical challenges, even within the short 12-week treatment period of this study.”