Promising new
findings for Probiodrug's Glutaminyl Cyclase - inhibitor in an
inflammation animal model
In an acute peritonitis model PQ912 inhibits monocyte
infiltration, increases eosinophils and enhances resolvin D2, an
important lipid mediator which contributes to termination of
inflammatory processes
HALLE (SAALE),
Germany, 07 September 2016 - Probiodrug AG (Euronext Amsterdam:
PBD), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutic
solutions to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD), today announced new
findings for its Glutaminyl Cyclase (QC) inhibitor in an
inflammation animal model. Data were generated in collaboration
with Ambiotis SAS (Toulouse, France) and will be presented at
upcoming scientific conferences.
The effect of the QC inhibitor
PQ912 was investigated in a mouse model of inflammation
(thioglycollate induced peritonitis) with special focus on its
effect on cell infiltration and release of pro-resolving lipid
mediators. The effects seen with PQ912 on recruitment of
macrophages and eosinophils, and levels of chemokines and lipid
mediators, makes QC inhibition attractive for further evaluation as
potential anti-inflammatory drug and/or resolution promoting
agent.
Data will be summarized as a
poster entitled "Glutaminyl cylase (QC) inhibition
in a mouse peritonitis model effects eosinophil and macrophage
recruitment and levels of resolution molecules" and presented
at:
(1) Summer
Frontiers Symposium 2016 'Systems Biology of Innate
Immunity'
7 - 9 September 2016, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
(2) 6th European
Workshop on Lipid Mediators, 6EWLM
27 - 30 September 2016, Frankfurt, Germany
Commenting on the
announcement, Dr Inge Lues, CDO of Probiodrug said: "The
results obtained to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying
inflammatory disease, triggered by the innate immune system,
further the concept of an anti-inflammatory component of QC
inhibition, which might play a role in various diseases with an
inflammatory component."
Dr Marc
Dubourdeau, CEO/CSO of Ambiotis added: "The development of
therapeutics that act agonistically on resolutive pathways is a new
emerging approach to correctly terminate inflammation and fight
chronic status. We are very glad that our research team was able to
bring first evidence on the potential of QC inhibitors as
pro-resolutive compounds. Results for PQ912 are thus very promising
for the field, showing that resolution pharmacology opens an avenue
for treatments that act on the endogenous capacity of the body to
stop inflammation."
For more
information please contact:
Probiodrug
Dr Konrad Glund, CEO
Email: contact@probiodrug.de
Hume
Brophy
Mary Clark, Supriya Mathur, Eva Haas
Tel: +44 (0) 207 862 6475
Email: probiodrug@humebrophy.com
The Trout
Group
Tricia Truehart
Tel: +1 646 378-2953
Email: ttruehart@troutgroup.com
Ambiotis
SAS
Dr Marc Dubourdeau, CEO/CSO
Email: marc.dubourdeau@ambiotis.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 Ambiotis
SAS
Ambiotis, located in Toulouse, France is a Contract Research
Organization (CRO) with a unique expertise in the resolution of the
inflammatory process. The company has built an extensive
knowledge and experience in this field and has now a worldwide
recognized expertise in the measurement of the multiple
mediators involved in resolution.
In the aim of promoting the field and the development
of products based on resolution, Ambiotis has developed a
range of in vitro/in vivo and analytical services to allow the
accurate evaluation of molecules at preclinical or clinical stages
for biopharmaceutical companies.
www.ambiotis.com
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.