Inosine-5-Monophosphate Dehydrogenase (IMPDH) Inhibitors Market: Competitive Landscape, Pipeline, and Market Analysis 2024

Inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is a purine biosynthetic enzyme that catalyzes the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent oxidation of inosine monophosphate (IMP) to xanthosine monophosphate (XMP), the first committed and rate-limiting step towards the de novo biosynthesis of guanine nucleotides from IMP. IMPDH is a regulator of the intracellular guanine nucleotide pool and is, therefore, important for DNA and RNA synthesis, signal transduction, energy transfer, glycoprotein synthesis, and other processes that are involved in cellular proliferation. The mechanism of action of IMPDH inhibitors involves blocking or reducing the activity of the enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). By inhibiting IMPDH, these drugs interfere with the biosynthesis of guanine nucleotides, leading to various cellular consequences such as Immunosuppression, Antiviral Activity, and Anticancer Activity. IMPDH Inhibitors are used in the potential treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia, CNS disorders, digestive system disorders, hepatitis, liver diseases, lupus nephritis, viral diseases, leukemia, acute graft versus host diseases, adrenal diseases, and agranulocytosis to name a few. Moreover, the rising incidence of viral diseases and increased organ transplants are the key drivers for the IMPDH Inhibitors market. For instance, according to the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention 2020, an estimated 49 states and the District of Columbia reported 9,952 hepatitis A cases, corresponding to 19,900 estimated infections in the US. Moreover, the development of novel molecules by many market players is coming up to overcome challenges in therapy. For instance, Sound Pharma's Ebselen (SPI-1005) for treating Meniere's disease is in the various stages of clinical studies.

Key Market Developments:

• In May 2019, Bausch Health Companies completed phase 3, a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study to compare the safety and efficacy of Viramidine [Taribavirin; Valeant Pharmaceuticals International] to Ribavirin in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Drugs under the Pipeline for IMPDH Inhibitors:

• Ebselen (SPI-1005)
• Bredinin (Mizoribine)
• Viramidine (Taribavirin)
• Areplivir IV (Favipiravir Injection)
• FF-10501-01
• Vicromax (Merimepodib)
• Amantadine/Ribavirin/Oseltamivir (ADS-8902)
• MycophenolicAcid/Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate (SURF-100)
  
  

Clinical Activity and Developments of IMPDH Inhibitors:

Till July 2023, more than nine companies have approximately eight molecules targetting many CNS and viral diseases. More than 300 clinical trials are being conducted for these molecules, and most are in phase-2 and phase-3 clinical trials by players across the globe. For instance,

In May 2023, Sound Pharmaceuticals conducting phase 3, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SPI-1005 in Meniere's disease and an open-label extension study to evaluate the chronic safety of SPI-1005.