gw-766994

Description: GW 766994 is a novel, potent, specific and orally bioavailable small molecule antagonist of the CCR3 (chemokine receptor-3) receptor. It is being investigated in clinical trial for asthma and eosinophilic bronchitis. In a double-blind parallel group study, 60 patients with asthma were randomized to 300 mg of GW766994 twice daily or matching placebo for 10 days followed by prednisone 30 mg for 5 days. Of these patients, 53 had a sputum eosinophil count > 4.9% at baseline. Despite plasma concentrations of drug consistent with > 90% receptor occupancy during the dosing period, the CCR3 antagonist did not significantly reduce eosinophils or eosinophil progenitor cells (CD34(+) 45(+) IL-5Ralpha(+)) in sputum or in blood. The ex vivo chemotactic effect of sputum supernatants on eosinophils was attenuated by GW766944 compared to placebo. There was no improvement in FEV1 ; however, there was a modest but statistically significant improvement in PC20 methacholine (0.66 doubling dose) and ACQ scores, (0.43). Whilst the improvement in PC20 is statistically significant, it is not of clinical significance.

References: Clin Exp Allergy. 2014 Apr; 44(4):508-16.; Mol Neurobiol. 2017 Dec; 54(10):7964-7978.