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Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. (OCRX) Developing OCR-002 to Address Critically Underserved Liver Disease Treatment Market
Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCRX) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary compounds to treat acute and chronic orphan liver disease. The company’s leading product candidate, OCR-002, is currently being studied in phase IIb clinical trials for the treatment of hyperammonemia and resultant hepatic encephalopathy in patients with acute liver failure and acute-on-chronic liver disease. In early testing, OCR-002 has been shown to lower circulating blood levels of ammonia by enabling alternate metabolic pathways in the muscles and kidney, helping the candidate achieve orphan drug designation and fast track status from the FDA.
When commercialized, OCR-002 will provide Ocera with access to a severely underserved market within the biopharmaceutical industry. According to Medscape, acute liver failure, though uncommon, is a debilitating condition in which rapid deterioration of liver function in a previously healthy individual causes encephalopathy, or alteration of mental status, in addition to a host of potentially life-threatening symptoms. Without liver transplantation, the current survival rate of acute liver failure is just seven percent.
In the first quarter of 2015, Ocera ramped up clinical studies of its product pipeline in a push toward the eventual market approval of OCR-002. As of March 31, the company reported cash and cash equivalents of just over $46 million, which will be essential to the continued development of its promising product candidate. Based on its current guidance, Ocera expects that it will have sufficient cash to fund operations into the fourth quarter of 2016.
“I am pleased to report positive developments in our clinical pipeline so far this year, including progress with both the intravenous and oral formulations of OCR-002,” Dr. Linda Grais, president and chief executive officer of Ocera, stated in a news release. “Serious liver disease impacts millions of patients and their families. We at Ocera Therapeutics are committed to finding much needed alternatives to current treatments for these patients.”
The company’s operating strategy includes future licensing of certain rights to its drug development programs following achievement of proof of concept, which should provide Ocera with expanded commercialization capabilities and a limited risk profile while maintaining the potential for significant returns. For prospective shareholders, this strategy could provide a platform for strong financial growth moving forward. Look for Ocera to turn its focus toward the development of strategic industry partnerships as it inches toward the future market approval of OCR-002.
For more information, visit www.ocerainc.com
