Enanta Regains Full Rights to NS5A Inhibitor EDP-239 for Hepatitis C Virus from Novartis
October 01 2014 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (NASDAQ: ENTA) a research and
development-focused biotechnology company dedicated to creating
small molecule drugs in the infectious disease field, today
announced that the company has entered into an agreement to regain
full rights from Novartis to EDP-239, an NS5A inhibitor currently
in phase 1 development for hepatitis C virus (HCV).
“Novartis notified Enanta that as part of an ongoing portfolio
transformation, HCV research would no longer be a strategic focus
for Novartis,” stated Jay R. Luly, Ph.D., President and CEO. “We
appreciate Novartis’ contributions to the clinical development of
EDP-239 and its ready agreement to return the NS5A program to us.
Enanta is now positioned with three wholly-owned HCV programs from
which future drug combinations can be explored.”
Enanta and Novartis entered into their strategic collaboration
to advance EDP-239 in February 2012. The new agreement provides for
the completion or transition to Enanta of specified
proof-of-concept clinical studies currently underway involving
EDP-239, and a combination study with EDP-239 and Alisporivir, a
cyclophilin inhibitor licensed by Novartis from Debiopharm.
Enanta’s proprietary HCV portfolio includes EDP-239 in Enanta’s
NS5A inhibitor program, as well as its cyclophilin inhibitor and
nucleotide polymerase inhibitor programs, both of which are in
preclinical development.
About EDP-239
EDP-239 is Enanta’s lead NS5A inhibitor for HCV infection. NS5A
is a non-structural (NS) viral protein that is essential to viral
replication of HCV. EDP-239 has demonstrated potent activity
against major HCV genotypes when tested in the replicon assay,
which is a common in vitro test for determining potency of an
active compound in reducing HCV replication. In addition, EDP-239
has additive or synergistic antiviral activity when used in
combination with other anti-HCV therapeutics (direct-acting
antiviral and host-targeted antiviral) in reducing HCV replication.
Enanta's NS5A program and intellectual property estate in the HCV
field were derived from its internal drug discovery efforts.
About Enanta
Enanta Pharmaceuticals is a research and development-focused
biotechnology company that uses its robust chemistry-driven
approach and drug discovery capabilities to create small molecule
drugs in the infectious disease field. Enanta is discovering, and
in some cases developing, novel inhibitors designed for use against
the hepatitis C virus (HCV). These inhibitors include members of
the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) inhibitor classes – protease
(partnered with AbbVie), NS5A and nucleotide polymerase – as well
as a host-targeted antiviral (HTA) inhibitor class targeted against
cyclophilin. Additionally, Enanta has created a new class of
antibiotics, called Bicyclolides, for the treatment of multi-drug
resistant bacteria, with a focus on developing an intravenous and
oral treatment for hospital and community MRSA
(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections.
Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements,
including with respect to the prospects for development of EDP-239
and the planned transition of clinical development of EDP-239.
Statements that are not historical facts are based on our
management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts and
projections about our business and the industry in which we operate
and our management’s beliefs and assumptions. The statements
contained in this release are not guarantees of future performance
and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are
difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may
differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking
statements. Important factors that may affect actual results
include results of ongoing clinical trials of EDP-239, the
development of other compounds of Enanta or others for use in
combination with EDP-239, and the clinical development and
commercialization of competitive product candidates for HCV. Enanta
cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the
forward-looking statements contained in this release. These
statements speak only as of the date of this release, and Enanta
undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements,
except as may be required by law.
Investor ContactEnanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Carol Miceli,
617-607-0710cmiceli@enanta.comorMedia ContactMacDougall
Biomedical CommunicationsKari Watson,
781-235-3060kwatson@macbiocom.com
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