US PTO granting Probiodrug a Further Medical Use Patent for the Inhibition of the Enzyme Glutaminyl Cyclase (QC)

Halle/Saale, December 10, 2008 — Probiodrug AG (Probiodrug), a developer of small molecule inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that the United States Patent Office issued to Probiodrug the US patent no. 7,462,599 covering compounds and methods for the inhibition of the conversion of substrates of the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase (QC), which are causative for Familial Alzheimer’s diseases, such as Familial British and Familial Danish Dementia.
“This patent expands our patent estate around QC inhibition as a novel treatment paradigm in Alzheimer’s disease and other CNS diseases”, said Hans-Ulrich Demuth, CSO and co-founder of Probiodrug. “Already in June, we were granted patent no. US 7,381,537, the world‘s first patent covering broad methods to treat sporadic Alzheimer’s disease using QC inhibitors.”

“Probiodrug has a strong intellectual property program with over 160 patent applications for broad coverage of QC inhibitors, including composition of matter, formulations, and methods of treatment claims,” commented Matthias Hoffmann, VP Operations and Head of Intellectual Property. “Moreover, we also hold composition of matter and medical use patents in other CNS indications, such as anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression, using inhibitors of other enzymes. Probiodrug`s first granted patents in these indications are EP 1328271, US 7,132,104 and US 7,435,420”

Familial Alzheimer’s disease is an uncommon form of Alzheimer’s, accounting for less than 5% of all Alzheimer’s sufferers, and, in many cases, is inherited. Onset of the disease usually is very early and can appear as early as 16 years of age. In contrast, sporadic Alzheimer’s disease usually occurs at age 65 or beyond.

About Probiodrug AG

Probiodrug is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative small molecule drugs for the treatment of neuronal, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. In these areas, Probiodrug is focusing on innovative targets with the prospect of first and best in class therapeutics. The Company has a dominant position in the area of glutaminyl cyclase (QC) inhibition, an enzyme central for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this field, Probiodrug is pioneering a completely novel therapeutic approach. In addition, the Company is pursuing further novel approaches in the area of inflammatory diseases.

Probiodrug’s core expertise is based on its long-standing, unique experience with the structure and function elucidation of enzymes central for the maturation of hormones. The Company has pioneered the field of DP4-inhibition for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. Compounds and technology patents of its DP4 (dipeptidyl peptidase 4) program in diabetes were licensed to various pharmaceutical companies. In 2004, all metabolic assets were sold to (OSI) Prosidion. The first drug based on Probiodrug`s technologies reached the market in late 2006. Proceeds of these transactions have been reinvested to fund the novel approach for the treatment of AD.

The Company was founded in 1997 by Dr Konrad Glund and Prof Dr Hans-Ulrich Demuth and has raised a total of $52 million. In 2007, it acquired Ingenium Pharmaceuticals AG. Probiodrug is located in Halle (Saale), Germany, and operates a subsidiary in Martinsried/Munich, Germany. For more information, please visit www.probiodrug.de.

Contact:
Dr Konrad Glund, CEO
Probiodrug AG
Weinbergweg 22
D-06120 Halle/ Saale
Germany
Tel.: +49 345 55599-00
Fax: +49 345 55599-01
Mail: konrad.glund@probiodrug.de

Dr Ludger Weß
akampion
Saseler Loge 6b
22393 Hamburg
Germany
Tel.: +49 40 88 16 59 64
Fax: +49 40 88 16 59 65
Mail: ludger@akampion.com