Eupraxia’s lead product candidate, EP-104, which has the potential to be differentiated by dosing, concentrations, delivery vehicle and the route of administration, is designed to address the significant unmet medical need and market demand for conditions where long-lasting symptom relief is essential to effective treatment. The primary targets for EP-104 have been identified as knee osteoarthritis (OA) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The product in development for OA is called EP-104IAR and the product in development in EoE is called EP-104GI

EP-104IAR and Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability in older adults

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that knee OA affects more than 30 million people in the US alone. This includes 14 million that suffer with knee pain or some form of disability. Knee OA is also associated with depression and loss of sleep, which can greatly affect quality of life.

EP-104IAR is intended to provide durable pain relief with fewer side effects

With EP-104IAR, Eupraxia hopes to change the way we treat knee OA pain. Current therapies are challenged by poor safety, inadequate efficacy and/or limited duration of activity. Corticosteroids are one of only two drug classes strongly recommended by the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation for the treatment of knee OA pain. These anti-inflammatory drugs are very effective at reducing pain for a short duration but can expose the body to unwanted local and systemic side effects.

EP-104IAR endeavours to provide long-term pain relief with fewer unwanted side effects. It encapsulates a highly potent corticosteroid (fluticasone propionate) within a microns-thin polymer membrane. Injected into the knee, EP-104IAR is intended to slowly release drug at therapeutic concentrations for up to six months. This has the potential dual advantage of providing long-duration pain relief with fewer side effects. An enhanced safety profile would also benefit the estimated 70% of knee OA patients that experience pain in both knees.

Video is only a representative animation of the mechanism of action of EP-104IAR.

EP-104IAR has completed a Phase 1 trial and recently completed its Phase 2 SPRINGBOARD clinical trial.

EP-104GI and Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)

EoE imparts a high patient burden throughout the lifespan

EoE is an inflammatory-mediated disease in which white blood cells migrate into and become trapped in the esophagus, creating pain and difficulty with swallowing food. Research undertaken by Clearview Partners estimates prevalence rate of EoE in the US in 2023 was 135 per 100,000, giving an estimated prevalence of 451,000 EoE patients. Impacts from both symptoms and interventions frequently lead to mental health issues, compounding the disease burden of EoE for both the health care system and the individual.

EP-104GI is designed to improve symptoms and quality of life in all patient populations

At Eupraxia, we believe that EP-104GI can improve treatment outcomes for patients with EoE. Existing therapies are extremely limited and are challenged by declining compliance, painful interventions, and low patient satisfaction. Corticosteroids have been used off-label to successfully address symptoms of EoE and are recommended as a first-line treatment by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. They are currently inhaled or swallowed, which limits effective contact time in the esophagus and creates opportunity for unwanted exposure elsewhere in the body.

Eupraxia’s EP-104GI is positioned as an ideal candidate to address the debilitating symptoms of EoE. As with OA, EP-104GI is designed to slowly release drug to affected areas, maximizing therapeutic action at the site and minimizing undesirable effects. For patients with EoE, this means potential for longer-lasting, effective intervention that is anticipated to be a well-received alternative to current options.

EP-104GI is currently undertaking its Phase 1b/2a RESOLVE clinical trial.

To learn more about living with EoE and the impact on patients’ lives read the following report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, (2023).

Life with EoE: The Patient Experience and Opportunities to Improve Care in the U.S.