Promising new findings for Probiodrug’s Glutaminyl Cyclase – inhibitor in an inflammation animal model
Probiodrug reports financial results for H1 2016
Combination therapy with Glutaminyl Cyclase (QC) inhibitor PQ912 and pGlu-Abeta specific antibody PBD-C06 shows clear additive effects in reducing pGlu-Abeta as well as Abeta in Alzheimer-mouse 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.”
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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.
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.
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.