CB-01-05-MMX, a novel oral controlled-release low molecular weight heparin for the potential treatment of ulcerative colitis.

CB-01-05-MMX (LMW Heparin MMX), being developed by Cosmo Pharmaceuticals SpA, is a novel oral parnaparin sodium formulation for the potential treatment of ulcerative colitis. At the time of publication, clinical trial data were limited and the mechanism of action had not been elucidated. However, in one phase I and one phase IIb trial in patients with left-sided ulcerative colitis, CB-01-05-MMX had an acceptable safety profile and was not associated with bleeding complications, which is a known side effect of unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin compounds previously evaluated for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Evaluable efficacy data from the phase IIb trial revealed significant improvements in the clinical activity index values in the CB-01-05-MMX group, but this was not accompanied by mucosal healing. More research, including placebo-controlled trials in patients with left-sided ulcerative colitis and trials in patients with pancolitis, would determine the role of CB-01-05-MMX in the current spectrum of available medications for this condition.