Two key patents on Glutaminyl Cyclase (QC) inhibition for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) granted in Japan
Probiodrug to Attend and Present at International Conferences in June 2016
Probiodrug and Crossbeta Biosciences enter into a strategic partnership in the field of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers
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. 5.934.645 (Heterocyclic derivatives as inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase) and 5.930.573 (New use of glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors) were granted in Japan in May 2016.
Patent JP 5.934.645 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 5.930.573 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 5.930.573, 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.”
###
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.
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.