Oxcia has entered a collaboration with Associate Professor Jesper Säfholm, Karolinska institutet, Sweden to investigate how OXC-201 can improve IPF biomarkers and influence cough-related mechanisms using state-of-the art lung models. Assoc. Prof. Säfholm’s extensive expertise in translational airway pharmacology and ex vivo lung models will significantly contribute to generate further mechanistic insights and identification of translational biomarkers.
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating progressive disease with fibrotic scars in the lung, resulting in difficulty breathing. Another highly burdensome symptom is the severe and persistent cough affecting the quality of life of IPF patients. Present treatments do not improve lung function nor alleviate cough. There is a high unmet medical new for new treatment modalities.
Oxcia is developing OXC-201 as a novel way to treat IPF. In addition to its potential relevance for underlying disease processes, new data suggest that modulation of these pathways may also influence mechanisms linked to cough. This provides a compelling rationale to further explore cough‑related biology in translational preclinical models.
The collaboration focuses on the use of Precision‑Cut Lung Slices (PCLS), a human‑relevant ex vivo model previously used internally, but now applied within a new scientific framework and with additional readouts related to cough‑associated biology. The PCLS model preserves lung tissue architecture, cell–cell interactions, and physiological responses, providing a platform well suited for mechanistic studies of inflammation, fibrosis, and pathways linked to cough in human lung tissue.
“This collaboration brings together complementary expertise from academia and industry. By combining Associate Professor Jesper Säfholm’s scientific insights with Dr. Sandra Ekstedt’s in‑depth knowledge of OXC‑201, we are well positioned to accelerate our understanding of the potential of OXC‑201 in IPF including its effect on cough,” says Ulrika Warpman Berglund, CEO of Oxcia AB
OXC‑201 is an experimental drug candidate under preclinical testing and due to start first in human clinical Phase 1 trial in the beginning of 2027.
For more information contact:
Ulrika Warpman Berglund, CEO, Oxcia AB (publ)
Telephone: +46 (0) 73 270 9605
ulrika.warpmanberglund@oxcia.com
Briefly about Oxcia AB
Oxcia’s aim is to improve and extend lives by developing new innovative treatments based on our unique technology platform, O2-DDR. Oxcia AB is a pioneer in oxidative DNA damage and DNA Damage Response (DDR – the processes the body uses to repair the damage that occurs to DNA) with a focus on developing new safe and effective treatments for patients suffering from diseases caused by cancer or inflammation. Oxcia currently has two O2-DDR lead drug candidates, both with the potential to become first-in-class drugs. OXC-101 is in early clinical development as novel cancer therapy. OXC-201 is developed against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and is in the preclinical phase. The portfolio also includes exploratory projects, e.g in psoriasis.
More information about Oxcia is available at www.oxcia.com