RedHill Biopharma announces in vivo results on opaganib, venetoclax

RedHill Biopharma (RDHL) announced positive in vivo results, indicating that opaganib combined with venetoclax reduces Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, CLL, cells by half compared to controls, and further demonstrates opaganib’s potential as an add-on therapy to venetoclax in venetoclax-resistant CLL. Key highlights: Studies show that sphingosine kinase 2 is overexpressed in venetoclax-resistant cancer cells and that SPHK2 inhibition may reduce T-cell-induced activation and proliferation of venetoclax-resistant CLL cancer cells and resensitize previously resistant CLL cells; New in vivo study shows adding opaganib, a potent SPHK2 inhibitor, to venetoclax reduces CLL cell counts by 50% compared to controls and lowered CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts compared to controls with lowered PD1 expression; Data shows opaganib’s venetoclax combination potential in CLL; builds on multiple preclinical studies demonstrating opaganib’s therapeutic add-on potential in oncology; further clinical evaluation ongoing in a Phase 2 study of opaganib + darolutamide in advanced prostate cancer; Opaganib has a safety and tolerability profile shown in more than 470 clinical trials / expanded access participants. It targets multiple oncology, virology, inflammation, diabetes and obesity indications, with several U.S. government partnerships, including BARDA funding, in place