Rein Therapeutics and Qureight broaden life science collaboration

Austin-based Rein Therapeutics is advancing a novel pipeline of first-in-class medicines to address significant unmet medical needs in orphan pulmonary and fibrosis indications. Qureight is a Core Imaging Laboratory developing deep-learning image analytics. The companies plan to integrate Qureight’s deep-learning platform into Rein’s planned Phase 2 trial of its lead asset LTI-03, a novel, multi-pathway, Caveolin-1-related peptide, for the treatment of IPF.

Rein previously announced positive topline results from Cohort 2 (5 mg BID) of the Phase 1b clinical trial of LTI-03 in IPF, in which a positive trend was observed in seven out of eight biomarkers evaluated, with five biomarkers demonstrating dose-dependent effects and four biomarkers achieving statistical significance in the combined Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 data set.

The Phase 2 clinical trial of LTI-03 will evaluate the safety and tolerability of LTI-03 in patients with IPF, as well as its activity across multiple biomarkers, and measure lung function and the potential for healthy tissue regeneration.

In the trial, Qureight will provide full end-to-end imaging core lab services, including site qualification, data handling, quality control and deep-learning AI image analysis. Qureight’s deep-learning platform will be used to analyse lung imaging data and identify potential correlations between any volumetric changes within the lungs of IPF patients and LTI-03’s activity across the biomarkers.

Qureight’s AI tools will measure the volume of fibrotic, vascular and airway lung compartments to allow a more detailed examination of LTI-03’s potential ability to simultaneously modulate pro-fibrotic activity and protect critical alveolar epithelial cells.

Qureight’s technology is also designed to improve the efficiency of the clinical trial workflow and significantly reduce the time required for image interpretation, in turn accelerating the trial.

“In our Phase 1b clinical trial of LTI-03, we emphasised the importance of biomarkers for measuring progress in patients with IPF treated with LTI-03 as well as for illustrating the dual mechanism of LTI-03 in the body,” said Brian Windsor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rein Therapeutics.

“We are taking the evaluation of biomarkers a step further with the application of cutting-edge deep-learning imaging technology and detailed AI-based data analysis by collaborating with Qureight on this Phase 2 trial. These tools will be critical in gaining a deeper understanding of the potential therapeutic effect of LTI-03.”

Dr. Muhunthan Thillai, Chief Executive Officer of Qureight, added: “We’re delighted that our core platform and AI technology will be supporting Rein Therapeutics in advancing its treatment, LTI-03, for patients with IPF. Our AI tools will provide precise, quantitative insights into how LTI-03 affects lung structure and function. This partnership represents another milestone in accelerating fibrotic lung disease treatment, which is so desperately needed for patients."

Rein plans to announce further details on the design of the Phase 2 trial of LTI-03 in IPF in the near term.