Hepion's CRV431 Shows Encouraging Safety Profile In Drug-Drug Interaction Study

Hepion Pharmaceuticals Inc HEPA has announced results from a Drug-Drug Interaction (DDI) study with its lead drug candidate, CRV431.
CRV431 targets several isoforms of cyclophilins which comprise a family of enzymes involved in collagen production, inflammation, cell injury, cell death, and protein folding.
The open-label DDI study was conducted in healthy volunteers (n = 24) to determine if single or multiple oral doses of ketoconazole (400 mg) influence the pharmacokinetics of CRV431 (75 mg).
The study also examined if CRV431 affected the PK of midazolam (2 mg IV) and its metabolite, 1-hydroxymethyl midazolam.
Following five daily oral doses of ketoconazole, the maximum blood concentration of CRV431 increased approximately five-fold, while the exposure increased almost four-fold.
When CRV431 was dosed with midazolam, the exposures of midazolam and 1-hydroxymethyl midazolam did not alter significantly.
However, both the Cmax and AUC0-24 of CRV431 were increased by approximately two-fold.
Related Link: Hepion Pharma's NASH Candidate Aces Mid-Stage Study.
Price Action: HEPA stock is up 0.97% at $1.57 during the market session on the last check Wednesday.