Syntara Ltd (ASX:SNT) has reported interim data from a trial to assess the efficacy of its drug candidate for treatment of myelofibrosis (MF), with results showing that the candidate – SNT-5505 – showed strong tolerability and improvements in both spleen volume and symptoms of the condition over time.

The data – to be presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology annual meeting (ASH) – was from Syntara’s Phase 2 clinical trial for the drug, which was tested in combination with ruxolitinib (RUX).

It showed a 50% improvement in Total Symptom Score (TSS50) among 46% of evaluable patients following 12 weeks of treatment, with this rising to an 80% improvement at 38 weeks of treatment.

TSS50 is a standard efficacy endpoint used as the primary endpoint in clinical trials related to MF.

Spleen reduction volume (SRV) was another factor of importance, with 30% of evaluable patients achieving an SVR of 25%, while 20% reported an SVR of 35%.

Notably, both this variable and patient symptoms continued to improve over the period under assessment: Differentiating SNT-5505 from MF currently on the market and in later stages of development.

Professor of myeloproliferative neoplasms at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust Claire Harrison said the drug candidate was showing positive signs of effectiveness and safety under this trial.

“This interim data confirms the excellent safety profile of SNT-5505 and also suggeststhat the mechanism of SNT-5505 may exert a long-term effect on the disease, with bothsymptoms and spleen volume continuing to improve as we now see patients on drug for9 months,” she said.

“This hasn’t been seen before with this class of drug and holds potential for real long-term benefits for MF patients.

“I look forward to seeing the data mature in the coming months to confirm these important early findings.”

Syntara has been trading at flat at 6.7 cents.

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