HOUSTON, April 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CNS
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) ("CNS" or the
"Company"), a biotechnology company specializing in the
development of novel treatments for brain tumors, announced that
independent research by the University of Frankfurt found 2-deoxy-D-glucose ("2-DG") to
reduce replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,
by 100% in in vitro testing.
Researchers at the University of Frankfurt disclosed the findings in their
article submitted to NatureResearch on March
11, 2020 (Bojkova, D et al; DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-17218/v1)
(https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-17218/v1). The authors
reported that inhibiting glycolysis with non-toxic concentrations
of 2-DG completely prevented SARS-CoV–2 replication in Caco–2
cells. Glycolysis is a process by which cells convert glucose
into energy and infected (host) cells are induced by viruses to
dramatically increase their dependence on glycolysis. 2-DG inhibits
glycolysis because, although it appears to cells to be glucose, it
is in fact a decoy that cannot be converted into energy.
As previously announced, CNS entered into an agreement with WPD
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: WBIO), for the development of several
preclinical drug candidates including WP1122. WP1122, which is
being tested on a range of viruses including the coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2, is a prodrug of the glucose decoy called
2-deoxy-D-glucose, or 2-DG. While the free form of 2-DG is rapidly
metabolized and ineffective within minutes of entering the body,
WP1122 has a much longer half-life, potentially enabling it to
deliver quantities adequate for a therapeutic effect. WPD
Pharmaceuticals previously licensed rights to a portfolio of drug
candidates, including WP1122, from Moleculin Biotech, Inc. for
certain territories.
"We are extremely encouraged by this breakthrough discovery of
WP1122's potential efficacy in fighting COVID-19," commented
John M. Climaco, CEO of CNS
Pharmaceuticals. "We believe these findings represent a significant
catalyst and incentive to expedite the development of WP1122. We
look forward to working closely with WPD Pharmaceuticals to
continue the advancement of the WP1122 program toward a potential
life-saving treatment for this deadly disease, the death toll from
which is nearly 100,000 lives worldwide this year and climbing
every hour."
Under the CNS Agreement, WPD will receive a portion of the
development costs from CNS for WP1122 and other drug candidates for
antiviral indications, and CNS will receive certain economic
rights. WPD received an upfront cash payment of $225,000 and CNS has committed to a milestone
payment of $775,000 upon the
successful completion of a Phase 2 study. In return for the
funding, CNS is entitled to receive 50% of the net sales, less
WPD's license costs, of resulting commercial products in WPD's
licensed territories, other than Poland. Those territories include 29 countries
in Europe and Asia, including Russia.
About CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CNS Pharmaceuticals
is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of novel
treatments for primary and metastatic brain and central nervous
system tumors. Its lead candidate Berubicin is proposed for the
treatment of glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer currently
considered incurable, as well as for pancreatic and ovarian
cancers, and lymphomas. The Company entered into an intellectual
property (IP) agreement with Houston Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and a
Purchase Agreement with Reata. For more information, visit
www.cnspharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in
this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and
uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release
include, without limitation, the ability of WPD to develop the drug
candidates subject to the development agreement. These statements
relate to future events, future expectations, plans and prospects.
Although CNS believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made,
expectations may prove to have been materially different from the
results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
CNS has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by
terminology including ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''anticipates,''
''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,''
''may,'' ''could,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,''
''approximately'' or other words that convey uncertainty of future
events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements.
These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed
under in our SEC filings, including under the heading "Risk
Factors" in the Form S-1 we filed with the SEC on October 7, 2019. Any forward-looking statements
contained in this release speak only as of its date. CNS undertakes
no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in
this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its
date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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SOURCE CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.