Unicycive Therapeutics’ OLC shows synergy with tenapanor in published study

Unicycive Therapeutics (UNCY) announced the publication of preclinical data describing the benefits of combination treatment of oxylanthanum carbonate, or OLC, and tenapanor on phosphate management in the American Society of Nephrology journal, Kidney360. The publication examines the potential synergistic benefits of a combination of OLC, a phosphate binder, with tenapanor, a sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3 inhibitor, on urinary phosphate excretion. Data demonstrated sizeable reductions in urinary phosphate excretion – a proxy for intestinal phosphate absorption – in response to both OLC monotherapy and the combination of OLC with tenapanor. Treatment with tenapanor alone led to 12.5% lower mean urinary phosphate excretion compared to the vehicle in rats fed a high phosphorus diet. A pooled analysis of monotherapy with OLC demonstrated a 17.7% reduction in urinary phosphate excretion compared to vehicle. The combination of OLC and tenapanor was synergistic and statistically significant. OLC is a next-generation lanthanum-based phosphate binding agent utilizing proprietary nanoparticle technology being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Unicycive is seeking FDA approval of OLC via the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway.