Two key patents on
Glutaminyl Cyclase (QC) inhibition for the treatment of Alzheimer's
disease (AD) granted in Japan
Patent grants cover Probiodrug's lead QC inhibitor PQ912, for treatment of AD
and the use of QC inhibition for treatment of mild cognitive
impairment (MCI)
Strengthens IP position in Japan and complements
grants obtained in other key markets
HALLE (SAALE),
Germany, 9 June 2016 - Probiodrug AG (Euronext Amsterdam:
PBD), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutic
solutions to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD), today announced that
the Japanese Patent Office has granted the company two important
patents. Patents nos. 5934645 (Heterocyclic derivatives as
inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase) and 5930573 (New use of
glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors) were granted in Japan in May
2016.
Patent JP 5934645 covers PQ912 and
surrounding chemical space; this patent has been granted already in
the USA, the EU as well as in other important markets. With a
patent life expiring in 2030, plus the usual extension for
pharmaceuticals, the patent provides a solid protection for PQ912
in Japan and other key markets.
The claims of patent JP 5930573
cover the general use of QC inhibitors for the treatment of Mild
Cognitive Impairment (MCI), granted previously for the treatment of
AD and British / Danish dementia in the USA, EU and Japan, thereby
broadly protecting the general use of QC inhibition. Importantly,
the granted claims of JP 5930573, already issued in the US,
complement and extend the use of QC inhibitors for MCI.
Hans-Ulrich
Demuth, co-founder, former CSO of Probiodrug and key inventor,
commented: "These patents significantly strengthen Probiodrug's
position in Japan as a key territory for developing and
commercialising drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Together with the previously granted and issued patents in USA,
Japan and other major markets, they enable Probiodrug to have a
dominant patent position in the field of QC inhibition for the
treatment of this devastating disease."
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For more
information, please contact:
Probiodrug
Dr Konrad Glund, CEO
Email: contact@probiodrug.de
Hume
Brophy
Supriya Mathur, Eva Haas, Alexia Faure
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7862 6475
Email: probiodrug@humebrophy.com
The Trout
Group
Tricia Truehart
Tel: +1 (646) 378-2953
Email: ttruehart@troutgroup.com
Notes to
Editors:
About Probiodrug AG
Headquartered in Halle (Saale), Germany, Probiodrug AG (Euronext
Amsterdam: PBD) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the
development of new therapeutic products for the treatment of
Alzheimer's disease.
Founded in 1997, the company
successfully developed a novel therapeutic concept for diabetes -
the DP4 inhibitors - which provided the basis for a novel class of
antidiabetics - the gliptins. Its core capabilities are based on
its long-standing expertise in the elucidation of the structure and
function of enzymes involved in the modification of proteins and
peptides, which play a central role in pathological conditions.
Today Probiodrug's aim is to
become a leading company in the development of Alzheimer's disease
treatments and to thereby provide a better life for Alzheimer's
disease patients. It has identified a new therapeutic concept
linked to disease initiation and progression. The development
approaches are targeting pyroglutamate-Abeta (pGlu-Abeta) as a
therapeutic strategy to fight Alzheimer's disease. The Company has
medical use and composition of matter patents related to the
inhibition of Glutaminyl Cyclase (QC) and anti-pGlu-Abeta- specific
monoclonal antibodies, providing it, in the Company's view, with a
leading position in this field of research.
Probiodrug's lead product
candidate, PQ912, is a highly specific and potent inhibitor of
Glutaminyl Cyclase (QC), which has shown therapeutic effects in
Alzheimer's animal models. PQ912 is currently in a Phase 2a study,
the SAPHIR trial. In a preceding Phase 1 study with healthy young
and elderly volunteers, PQ912 has shown to be safe and well
tolerated and also revealed high QC-inhibition.
www.probiodrug.de
About Alzheimer's
disease
Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder, which is the most
common form of dementia, and ultimately leads to death. Because
Alzheimer's disease cannot be cured and is degenerative, the
affected patients must increasingly rely on others for assistance.
Today, over 46 million people worldwide currently live with the
condition and this number is expected to increase to 132 million by
2050. Alzheimer's also has an estimated, global societal cost of
US$ 818 billion (World Alzheimer Report 2015).
Forward Looking
Statements
Information set forth in this press release
contains forward-looking statements, which involve a number of
risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained
herein represent the judgment of Probiodrug AG as of the date of
this press release. Such forward-looking statements are neither
promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and
uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and which
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated in these forward-looking statements. We expressly
disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any
updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change
in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based.