Actimed Therapeutics

We are focused on bringing innovation to the treatment of muscle wasting disorders, particularly cancer-related cachexia where we have a vision to transform care for an under-served and vulnerable patient population, to prolong and improve quality of life, restore dignity and ease the burden for the patient, carer, and provider. 

Cancer-related cachexia is a wasting disease that accompanies cancer and other serious chronic illnesses and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its prevalence and devastating clinical effects, there are few treatment options and no globally approved pharmaceutical product for the treatment or prevention of cancer-related cachexia.

We also have an increasing interest in sarcopenic obesity and muscle loss associated with weight loss treatment including glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA).

Our approach focuses on a class of agents that may have multiple effects on the fundamental biology of muscle wasting to reduce catabolism (weight loss), increase and maintain anabolism (weight gain, particularly muscle mass gain), decrease fatigue, and improve appetite. In view of its multi-modal action, our lead product (S-pindolol) has been referred to as an Anabolic, Catabolic Transforming Agent (ACTA)¹.

S-pindolol benzoate is a new salt of S-pindolol in clinical development for cancer-related cachexia and muscle wasting associated with GLP-1RA therapy. 

In cancer-related cachexia, S-pindolol has demonstrated promising results in a Phase 2a, proof of concept trial. A Phase 2b/3 clinical development programme for S-pindolol is planned in non-small cell lung and colorectal cancers (Improving cancer cachexia with ACTAs – the IMPACT Programme).

A US Investigational Drug Application (IND) has received FDA approval for S-pindolol and the IMPACT studies, and plans are in place to dose the first patients on completion of relevant financing. 

Weight loss during GLP-1RA treatment is associated with reductions in both fat and lean body mass (LBM). Whilst loss of body fat in an obese population is desirable, the loss of lean body mass (LBM) is an unwanted effect and may be of concern, particularly in older or frail patients. 

Actimed has implemented a development programme to investigate the potential benefit of S-pindolol when used during and after GLP-1RA therapy in obese patients. This programme involving nonclinical and clinical studies will evaluate the potential for S-pindolol to improve the fat to lean mass ratio in situations of rapid and significant weight loss. 

Two of our founders, Professor Andrew Coats and Professor Stefan Anker, are world-leading physicians in cachexia research. Actimed is led by a Management Team and Board with significant global experience in the development of new therapeutics across multiple indications.

¹Pötsch MS, Tschirner A, Palus S, von Haehling S, Doehner W, Beadle J, Coats AJ, Anker SD, Springer J. The anabolic catabolic transforming agent (ACTA) espindolol increases muscle mass and decreases fat mass in old rats. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2014 Jun;5(2):149-58