Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Mezzion Pharma Co Ltd on Sunday announced positive results from a new in vivo study of udenafil, a novel phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

In a preclinical ADPKD model, udenafil reduced cyst burden and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), a blood marker linked to kidney function, compared with controls. Both findings were statistically significant and consistent across the treatment groups assessed, Mezzion said.

The study also showed evidence of activity on udenafil's intended cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) showcasing pathway in the kidney.

Additionally, udenafil produced a statistically significant reduction in a preclinical measure of cardiac hypertrophy, or heart enlargement.

These results build on two earlier preclinical studies in which udenafil inhibited cyst growth and reduced cyst burden. Across these complementary ADPKD models, udenafil has shown activity on its intended cGMP pathway, reduced measures of cystic disease, and improved a biochemical measure used in kidney assessment. Together, the data support clinical evaluation in people with ADPKD.