Edesa Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: EDSA) reported exploratory data showing its drug paridiprubart reduced mortality in patients with acute kidney injury and respiratory distress. The company presented the findings at the 63rd European Renal Association Congress in Glasgow, Scotland.

The analysis included 101 patients with acute kidney injury from previous Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies of hospitalized patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Paridiprubart plus standard care treatments was associated with a 32% relative reduction in 28-day mortality compared to placebo plus standard care, according to the company's statement.

The adjusted 28-day mortality rate was 33% for patients receiving paridiprubart plus standard care, compared to 49% for those receiving placebo plus standard care. The drug also reduced the incidence of major adverse kidney events at 30 days by 23% relative to placebo.

Paridiprubart is an anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibody designed to modulate immune response by inhibiting TLR4. The company stated that more than 400 patients have received the drug in clinical studies to date.

The patient population analyzed was severely ill, with approximately 90% having moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome at baseline and about 50% requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. The mean age was 58 years.

"These exploratory findings in a high-risk subgroup provide an important clinical perspective on how paridiprubart's mechanism of action may translate beyond the lungs," said Par Nijhawan, chief executive officer of Edesa Biotech.

The company noted that the analyses were exploratory and not prespecified, stating that confirmatory studies would be required to establish efficacy in acute kidney injury. Acute kidney injury affects an estimated 13 million people worldwide annually and currently has no approved targeted pharmacological therapies.