Key patents
granted for Probiodrug's pGlu-Abeta targeting monoclonal antibody
program for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
HALLE/SAALE,
Germany, 11 January 2016 - Probiodrug AG (Euronext
Amsterdam: PBD), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel
therapeutic solutions to treat Alzheimer's disease
(AD), announces, that key patents for its antibody program
targeting pyroglutamate Abeta (pGlu-Abeta, also N3pG Abeta),
were granted during the last quarter of 2015. Patents US 9,156,907
and JP 5,828,762, were granted in the US and in Japan,
respectively, covering method as well as composition of matter
claims.
A variant of amyloid beta,
pGlu-Abeta has been shown to form hyper-neurotoxic Abeta-Oligomers,
which are supposed to be a key component leading to
neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Probiodrug focuses on
two pGlu-Abeta targeting approaches for the treatment of AD:
-
PQ912, a small molecule inhibitor of Glutaminyl
Cyclase, which prevents pGlu-Abeta formation and is currently in a
Phase II trial.
-
PBD-C06, a monoclonal antibody, binding
specifically to pGlu-Abeta, is currently in preclinical
development.
The company has validated the
concept of targeting pGlu-Abeta by both means in preclinical
studies and published data in a number of publications1,2.
While PQ912 is first in class, the
pGlu-specific antibody PBD-C06 follows the monoclonal antibody
LY3002813 developed by Eli Lilly, which has been advanced into a
Phase Ib study in AD patients3. In this
context, LY3002813, in addition to having an effect as a
mono-therapy in an AD mouse model, also revealed an
additive/synergistic effect on brain levels of Abeta when combined
with a BACE inhibitor4.
Konrad Glund, CEO
of Probiodrug, commented: "The patents granted by the US and
Japanese patent offices are important milestones that strengthen
our position in the development of an immunotherapy for AD based on
a pGlu-Abeta specific monoclonal antibody. Probiodrug's strategy to
tackle pGlu-Abeta with two complementary approaches offers the
ability to study the efficacy of each respective single agent, as
well as in combination with each other, and with products that have
different mode of action to treat AD."
1Frost et al.,
Neurobiology of Aging 36 (2015) 3187-3199; 2Frost et
al., The American Journal of Pathology, Vol. 183, No. 2, August
2013; 3clinicaltrials.gov,
January 11th 2016;
4DeMattos et
al., Alzheimer's & Dementia (2015) Vol.11, Issue 7, Supplement,
Pages P275-P276
###
For more
information, please contact:
Probiodrug
Dr Konrad Glund, CEO
Email: contact@probiodrug.de
Hume
Brophy
Mary Clark, Supriya Mathur, Alexia Faure
Tel: +44 (0) 203 440 5657
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, 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.
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, 44 million people worldwide currently live with the
condition and this number is expected to almost double by 2030 and
to more than triple by 2050 to over 132 million. Alzheimer's also
has an estimated global societal cost of over $600 billion (World
Alzheimer Report 2014).
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.