Cyclopharm’s COPD Study Faces High Stakes in Expanding Treatment Access

Cyclopharm’s Strategic Leap Beyond Pulmonary Embolism

Cyclopharm Limited (ASX, CYC) has announced a significant clinical collaboration with Macquarie University and Macquarie University Hospital to investigate a novel treatment approach for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This initiative, known as the Endoscopic Segmental Sealant Ablation (ESSA) Study, represents a strategic extension of Cyclopharm’s core Technegas technology beyond its traditional use in pulmonary embolism diagnosis.

COPD remains a global health challenge, ranking among the top five causes of death worldwide and affecting hundreds of millions. Current interventional treatments, such as endoscopic valve therapies, are limited to roughly 30% of severe COPD patients due to anatomical restrictions. The ESSA Study aims to address this gap by exploring a minimally invasive procedure that targets diseased lung segments individually, potentially broadening treatment eligibility.

Innovative Use of Technegas and AI-Driven Lung Analysis

At the heart of the ESSA Study is the integration of Technegas functional lung imaging with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) analytics provided by Thirona, a leader in lung imaging technology. Unlike conventional anatomical imaging, Technegas offers functional insights into how air moves through the lungs, enabling precise identification of the most compromised lung segments.

The AI-enhanced analysis of nuclear medicine ventilation–perfusion scans allows for detailed, segment-level assessment, guiding the targeted application of polymer foam to induce lung volume reduction. This personalized approach aims to improve breathing efficiency, reduce lung over-inflation, and enhance patients’ exercise tolerance and quality of life.

Study Design and Clinical Leadership

The ESSA Study is a single-centre, parallel group-controlled trial set to enrol 34 patients with severe or very severe COPD at Macquarie University Hospital in Sydney. Ethics approval is complete, with patient recruitment expected to commence imminently and continue over approximately 12 months.

Leading the study is Professor Alvin Ing, a respected figure in respiratory medicine and interventional lung therapies. Professor Ing emphasises the potential of this new procedure to extend lung volume reduction therapy to the majority of severe COPD patients currently without effective interventional options.

Strategic Implications for Cyclopharm

James McBrayer, Cyclopharm’s Managing Director and CEO, highlights the strategic importance of the ESSA Study within the company’s ‘Beyond PE’ strategy. By leveraging Technegas’ unique functional imaging capabilities alongside AI-driven analytics, Cyclopharm aims to unlock new clinical pathways and expand its market opportunity well beyond pulmonary embolism.

This initiative not only underscores Cyclopharm’s commitment to innovation in respiratory medicine but also positions the company at the forefront of precision medicine approaches for major respiratory diseases. The study’s outcomes could materially enhance the long-term value proposition of Technegas as a versatile functional imaging platform.

Cyclopharm has committed to providing ongoing updates as the ESSA Study progresses and clinical results emerge, signalling a potentially transformative chapter for the company and the broader COPD treatment landscape.