Hillhurst Biopharmaceuticals Inc. ("Hillhurst"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel oral liquid drug products based on known inhaled therapeutics, today announced that the first subject has been dosed in its Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating HBI-002 for the treatment of sickle cell disease.

"Dosing the first subject marks a significant milestone," said co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Gomperts. "There remains a substantial unmet medical need in preventing the painful vaso-occlusive crises experienced by sickle cell patients. We are hopeful that our novel drug product can provide meaningful relief for patients and their families. We look forward to advancing with this trial and expect the first readout by the end of 2025."

The Phase 2a clinical trial for HBI-002, an oral low-dose carbon monoxide (CO) therapeutic candidate, is an open-label study designed to assess the safety and tolerability of HBI-002 in patients with sickle cell disease. The trial will also collect biomarker and pharmacokinetic data, providing preliminary insights into the investigational therapy's potential efficacy. Data from this study will inform the design of the larger Phase 2b clinical trial, planned to begin in 2026.