Roivant Sciences has launched a new biopharmaceutical company called Respivant Sciences in order to develop the company’s investigational drug for symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

RVT-1601 is an inhaled therapeutic being developed for the treatment of chronic cough in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). RVT-1601 is a mast cell stabilizer with pleotropic immune modulating properties delivered directly to the lungs via a handheld aerosol device that produces a soft mist for patients to conveniently inhale.

In a Phase 2a clinical trial, RVT-1601 demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in cough frequency among IPF patients after 14 days of treatment. Respivant plans to initiate a Phase 2b study for RVT-1601 in the first quarter of 2019.

“Almost all IPF patients suffer from a dry, persistant chronic cough, and for many of them this cough can have a debilitating physical and psychosocial impact on their quality of life,” said Respivant CEO Bill Gerhart. “Based on the positive results in our Phase 2a study, we are very excited about the potential for developing the first approved therapy for this leading cause of poor quality of life in IPF patients.”

More information on the company’s executive team is available at their website.