MGB Biopharma Successfully Completes Phase I Clinical Trial


MGB Biopharma recently announced it has successfully completed a Phase I clinical trial of an oral formulation of its lead product, MGB-BP-3, which is being developed for the potential treatment of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI).

The double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase I clinical trial assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple ascending doses of oral MGB-BP-3. In the single ascending dose element of the study, dose levels of MGB-BP-3 were increased from 250 mg to 2000 mg. In the multiple dose part of the study 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1000 mg doses of MGB-BP-3 were given twice daily for 10 days. The Phase I study showed that MGB-BP-3 was well tolerated with no serious side effects being observed. The trial also examined the effect of MGB-BP-3 on normal gut flora.

“We are pleased to announce the successful completion of this Phase I study with oral MGB-BP-3, which we are developing as a potential treatment for CDI,” said Miroslav Ravic, CEO of MGB Biopharma. “It is a major milestone for MGB Biopharma and means we are well placed to commence a Phase II study with oral MGB-BP-3 in the first half of 2016, a further important step as we work to bring this truly novel antibiotic to market as quickly as possible.”

The results of the trial will be available for review in early February 2016. The final clinical report is expected in March 2016. The company acknowledges the support it has received from Innovate UK under the Biomedical Catalyst scheme.

MGB-BP-3 is an antibiotic that has been shown to be active against a broad range of important multi-resistant and susceptible Gram-positive pathogens. The oral formulation of MGB-BP-3 is being developed by MGB Biopharma specifically for the treatment of Clostridium difficile, a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for the majority of infectious hospital-acquired diarrhoea in developed countries.

MGB Biopharma is also developing an intravenous formulation targeting the treatment of a range of systemic hospital acquired Gram-positive infections that is in late-stage preclinical development, and a topical formulation for the treatment of serious skin infections showed encouraging efficacy data.

MGB Biopharma is a clinical-stage company developing a truly novel class of anti-infectives. Its lead candidate, MGB-BP-3, is an antibacterial, which is active against a broad range of important multi-resistant and susceptible Gram-positive pathogens. The company has developed an oral formulation of MGB-BP-3 for the treatment of Clostridium difficile. Phase I study results are expected in March 2016. An intravenous formulation targeting the treatment of a range of systemic hospital acquired Gram-positive infections is in late-stage preclinical development, and a topical formulation for the treatment of serious skin infections showed encouraging efficacy data.

MGB Biopharma has acquired the proprietary minor groove binder (MGB) platform, developed at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, with exclusive worldwide licensing rights for all anti-infective fields. This platform provides an opportunity to develop various compounds with a completely new mode of action, which are distinct from the antimicrobial drugs used in clinical practice today. Consequently, many MGB-based drugs offer significant advantages over existing anti-infectives, such as MGB-BP-3, which exhibits high efficacy against many multi-drug susceptible and resistant Gram-positive pathogens. To-date no resistance to MGB compounds has been observed.

The company intends to work with partners to fully capitalize on the multiple value creating opportunities offered by its broad and innovative anti-infectives platform. The company, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, is backed by Scottish investors including Archangel Investors, Barwell, TRI Cap and the Scottish Investment Bank, Scottish Enterprise. For more information please visit www.mgb-biopharma.com