Singapore-discovered fibrotic disease drug enters Phase II clinical evaluation
A first-in-class IL-11 inhibitor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, originating from academic research in Singapore, has advanced into Phase II clinical studies.
Duke-NUS Medical School has noted Boehringer Ingelheim's announcement of a Phase IIa clinical study for BI 765423, a first-in-class IL-11 inhibitor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This program marks a significant translational milestone, being among the few preclinical discoveries from Singapore to reach Phase II clinical evaluation.
The development has the potential to impact a devastating disease with limited treatment options. The program originated from an academic medicine collaboration between Duke-NUS and SingHealth, including the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS). Research was led by Duke-NUS scientists, including Professor Stuart A Cook and Dr Sebastian Schäfer.
This research led to the formation of Enleofen Bio, a spin-off company from the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre. Enleofen Bio focused on advancing IL-11-targeted antibody therapeutics before the asset was acquired by Boehringer Ingelheim for further global development.
IPF is a progressive and life-limiting disease with few available treatments. Increased understanding of fibrotic mechanisms, including the role of IL-11, has opened new avenues for therapeutic development across fibrotic conditions.
"This progression reflects how translational science should work," said Professor Patrick Tan, Dean of Duke-NUS Medical School. "When discovery research is closely integrated with clinical insight and advanced through strong academic expertise, it can be catalytic. Seeing a Singapore-originated program advance into Phase IIa patient studies underscores the strength of our academic medicine ecosystem in moving science toward potential patient impact."