New Zealand Clinical Research (NZCR) is proud to be at the forefront of medical innovation, consistently contributing to advancements that have the potential to improve health outcomes worldwide.
Our commitment to rigorous research and patient safety is reflected in the positive results emerging from several key studies. Here’s a look at recent successes that underscore NZCR’s dedication to advancing global health.
Leading the Way in Hepatitis B Treatment
NZCR recently took a prominent position on the global stage at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) in Beijing. Professor Ed Gane, representing NZCR, delivered four significant presentations highlighting the future landscape of liver disease treatment.
A key focus was NZCR’s pivotal role in the early-phase development of novel chronic hepatitis B (CHB) therapies. Professor Gane emphasised our expertise in Phase 1 clinical trials, from the crucial pre-clinical stages through to first-in-human studies. Furthermore, he shared valuable insights into emerging combination treatment strategies, the importance of equitable access to trials across the Asia-Pacific region, and the ongoing pursuit of a functional cure for CHB.
This underscores NZCR’s leadership in global hepatology research and our commitment to the worldwide effort to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. The APASL conference also fostered stronger collaborations with international researchers and biotech partners, solidifying NZCR’s position within the global scientific community.
Pioneering Gene Editing for Hereditary Angioedema
NZCR’s research support with cutting-edge work in the field of gene editing has garnered further international recognition with a recent publication in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine focusing on hereditary angioedema research.
This publication highlights innovative gene editing techniques, including CRISPR, base editing, and epigenetic modification. Our dedication to this transformative area of research is evident in our participation in over 10 gene editing studies to date, with the UNIVERSE trial serving as a prime example.
In this significant Phases 1 and 2 study, the 14 participants enrolled at NZCR formed a substantial portion of the global cohort, demonstrating our capacity to contribute meaningfully to groundbreaking international research.
Significant Progress in Cystic Fibrosis Treatment
We are thrilled to announce that RCT2100, a drug investigated in the FLAMINGO study conducted by NZCR, has received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). This designation marks a crucial milestone in the development of new therapies for this challenging genetic condition.
The FDA’s Orphan Drug Designation provides significant incentives for the development of treatments for rare diseases like CF, potentially accelerating the availability of new options for patients.
RCT2100, developed by ReCode Therapeutics, represents a promising new approach, utilising messenger RNA (mRNA) and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to target the underlying cause of CF at a cellular level, particularly benefiting those with rare mutations that are often harder to treat.
NZCR played a direct and vital role in the Phase 1 clinical trial for RCT2100 in Auckland, with the study expertly led by Mayoma Wijesundera, Rohit Katial, and Samantha Nie, supported by our dedicated team.
The successful and timely completion of every cohort underscores NZCR’s commitment to high-quality trial execution and our contribution to bringing hope to families affected by cystic fibrosis globally. [Read More]
These recent achievements highlight NZCR’s unwavering commitment to advancing global health through our involvement in cutting-edge clinical research.
From pioneering new treatments for liver disease and leveraging the transformative potential of gene editing to contributing to significant progress in cystic fibrosis therapy, our dedicated team in New Zealand is making a tangible difference on the world stage, bringing hope and innovative solutions to patients facing complex health challenges.
