Sparrow Pharmaceuticals Presents Pharmacology Data on SPI-62 at American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2022

Portland, Oregon, November 13, 2022 — Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, targeted therapies to address unmet needs in both endocrinology and rheumatology, today presented pharmacology data during an online poster session on SPI-62, a HSD-1 inhibitor, at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2022 meeting. The presentation titled, “Toward Safer Glucocorticoid Therapy” examined the ability of SPI-62 to mitigate the adverse effects of exogenously administered corticosterone (CORT) in mouse, with results suggesting SPI-62 has the potential to prevent the adverse effects of glucocorticoids.

“Patients with autoimmune conditions such as polymyalgia rheumatica rely on glucocorticoids such as prednisone. The effects of long-term use can be severe, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and muscle and skin atrophy. An effective glucocorticoid with fewer side effects would be a breakthrough for them,” said David A. Katz, Ph.D., CSO at Sparrow Pharmaceuticals. “The study data presented at ACR demonstrate that SPI-62 can prevent cardiometabolic, muscular, and dermal adverse side effects of CORT in mouse. That adds to the existing evidence that SPI-62 in combination with a glucocorticoid has potential to be effective, safe, convenient, and cost-effective treatment for patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and other rheumatic diseases. A Phase 2 clinical trial of prednisolone together with SPI-62 is ongoing.”

CORT was administered to mice for 5 weeks. The animals were randomized to three different SPI- 62 regimens or vehicle. SPI-62 prevented CORT adverse effects of increased food consumption, accelerated body weight gain, skin atrophy, insulin resistance, skeletal myoatrophy, and reduced grip strength, each in a dose-dependent manner.

SPI-62 is a potent HSD-1 inhibitor that is in a Phase 2 clinical trial with prednisolone for polymyalgia rheumatica, a prevalent autoimmune disease that mainly affects people over 50. HSD-1 is an intracellular enzyme that activates glucocorticoids in target tissues in which glucocorticoid medicines are associated with morbidity including liver, adipose, muscle, and skin. SPI-47, a fixed-dose-combination of SPI-62 and prednisolone, is in development. Additionally, SPI-62 is in Phase 2 clinical trials for Cushing’s syndrome and autonomous cortisol secretion. In Phase 1 clinical trials, SPI-62 was generally well tolerated and demonstrated maximal liver HSD-1 inhibition and brain HSD-1 occupancy.

To view the abstracts, visit the ACR Convergence website here.