Serpin Pharma completes Phase 1b/2a SPIRIT Clinical Trial

Serpin Pharma, a clinical-stage biotech company developing first in class drugs to treat human diseases caused by inflammation, reported data from its Phase 1b/2a clinical trial. The results, published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, report the effects of a single subcutaneous administration of SERPIN drug (SP16), a synthetic, selective LRP1 agonist, in ten patients with ST-segment elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). The clinical trial appraised the safety and tolerability of SP16, as well as explored its effects on the acute inflammatory response, infarct size, and cardiac function.

The single-center, single-arm, open-label study was led by Dr. Antonio Abbate and Dr. Benjamin Van Tassell at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Patients with STEMI were enrolled within twelve hours of symptom onset and six hours of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Serial clinical biomarkers and echocardiography data were collected up to 12 months. All ten patients with STEMI received subcutaneous administration of SP16 without any treatment-related serious adverse events. A trend toward reduction in the inflammatory response and infarct size was noted. According to Dr. Abbate and Dr. Van Tassell, “SP16’s modulation of the inflammatory response is a promising therapeutic strategy in AMI.”

A recently published editorial in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology echoes the enthusiasm for SP16 as a potential paradigm shift in acute coronary syndromes.

“We are very encouraged by these data results, which provide additional validation of SP16 therapeutic potential through its unique mechanism of action,” remarked Dr. Cohava Gelber, CEO and Executive Chairperson of Serpin Pharma. “This data clearly demonstrates the safety and tolerability of SP16 and its promise in treating inflammatory diseases. Our mission is to deliver this treatment to patients and this data brings us an important step closer.”

Activation Capital Recognizes President Michael Rao’s 17 Years of Leadership as Authority Board Chair, Names Paul Nolde as New Chair

Activation Capital, the operating name of the Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority, today announced the election of Paul Nolde as chair of the Authority Board, succeeding Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao, Ph.D., who has served as chair since 2009. Rao will remain an active member of the board, continuing his longstanding support of Activation …

09/22/2026

ATCC to Lead Lifecycle Management of Military Medical Countermeasures Under 10-Year Department of War Contract

ATCC has been awarded a 10-year Department of War (DOW) contract to coordinate lifecycle management of medical countermeasures (MCMs) developed to protect U.S. military personnel from chemical and biological threats. Under this contract, ATCC supports the mission of the Rapid Access to Products in Development (RAPID) program to enable MCM preparedness against chemical and biological …

09/22/2026

Quoin Pharmaceuticals Announces FDA Fast Track Designation for QRX003 for the Treatment of Peeling Skin Syndrome

Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: QNRX) (“Quoin” or the “Company”), a late clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on rare and orphan diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation to QRX003 for the treatment of Peeling Skin Syndrome (PSS). QRX003 is an investigational topical serine protease inhibitor lotion. …

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