Kither Biotech has started dosing patients in its phase 1b / 2a clinical study of KIT2014 in adults with moderate to severe COPD. The inhaled peptide therapy is being developed for several respiratory diseases including COPD, NCFB, IPF and CF. The multicentre Australian trial will assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and early signs of efficacy.
KIT2014 is a proprietary cell‑permeable peptide designed to enhance bronchodilation and reduce lung inflammation through balanced dual PDE3/4 inhibition. This mechanism increases local concentrations of cAMP, a key signalling molecule. The company said the therapy’s multimodal action may offer benefits in debilitating lung conditions.
Dr Dimitrios Goundis, CEO of Kither Biotech, said: “The dosing of patients in Kither’s phase 1b / 2a study of our novel inhaled peptide KIT2014 in COPD, comes less than three months after we announced the successful completion of the phase 1 study in healthy participants.”
He added: “This study will investigate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of KIT2014, as well as early signs of efficacy, in patients with moderate to severe COPD.”
Anita van der Meer, Director of Kither Biotech Pty Ltd, explained: “More effective treatments for COPD, which is the third largest cause of morbidity and mortality globally, are desperately needed.”
She continued: “We believe KIT2014’s balanced and multimodal mechanism and its consequent bronchodilation and anti-inflammatory effects make it particularly well suited to this debilitating lung disease, and we look forward to the results of this phase 1b / 2a clinical trial.”
The phase 1b / 2a study will also explore lung function measures and inflammatory biomarkers in induced sputum. Initial results are expected by Q1 2027.
The trial follows a phase 1 study in 56 healthy participants showing KIT2014 was safe and well tolerated at daily doses up to 2mg. Systemic exposure remained below the limit of detection across all dose levels.
