Nature Reviews Nephrology and Pfizer Inc.
discuss BET bromodomain inhibition and apabetalone as viable
drug candidates
CALGARY, May 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Resverlogix Corp.
("Resverlogix" or the "Company") (TSX: RVX) today highlighted two
additional works involving its lead drug, apabetalone, one recently
published by third party academics and one in the form of a patent
application by Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer). The publication, titled
"Alkaline phosphatase: a novel treatment target for cardiovascular
disease in CKD," is published in the prominent journal Nature
Reviews Nephrology. This article describes the mechanisms that link
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) to vascular calcification, inflammation,
and cardiovascular disease. The Pfizer patent application was filed
for the purpose of protecting their invention of using BET-family
bromodomain inhibitors as a method of increasing frataxin in the
treatment of patients with Friedreich's ataxia. Resverlogix'
apabetalone, a BET bromodomain inhibitor, is specifically listed in
Pfizer's patent. The patent describes the ataxia as a rare
regressive inherited disease characterized by progressive damage to
the nervous system and movement problems.
"We welcome the attention drawn to Resverlogix and apabetalone
from significant industry groups such as Nature Reviews Nephrology
and Pfizer. Due to the dramatic growth of BET Bromodomain
publications over the past decade, it is not surprising that our
advanced Phase 3 compound, apabetalone, is now drawing expanded
attention from the global academic and pharmaceutical communities,"
stated Donald McCaffrey, President
and Chief Executive Officer.
Discussion on ALP and Cardiovascular Disease in Chronic
Kidney Disease (CKD)
In the May, 2017 edition, Nature Reviews Nephrology published an
article titled: "Alkaline phosphatase: a novel treatment target for
cardiovascular disease in CKD," (Haarhaus et al. Nature Reviews
Nephrology). In addition to the discussion of the ALP mechanism and
links to disease, the authors also discuss "new drugs that target
ALP, which have the potential to improve cardiovascular outcomes
without inhibiting skeletal mineralization." The article
dedicates a paragraph to RVX-208 (apabetalone) and cites four
different publications involving RVX-208 (apabetalone).
Findings on Frataxin Expression and Friedreich's Ataxia
Recently, Pfizer applied for a patent titled: "Regulators of
Frataxin" (WO 2017/037567 A1), their invention relates to the
expression of frataxin by utilizing BET-bromodomain inhibitors. The
purpose of the invention is for the potential treatment of a rare
disease called Friedreich' ataxia (FA). RVX-208 (apabetalone)
was listed as a potentially effective agent against this disease
which is present in about 1 in 50,000 people. The ataxia of
Friedreich's ataxia occurs from the degeneration of nerve tissue in
the spinal cord. Symptoms usually begin between 5 to 15 years of
age, leading to wheelchair requirements and can eventually lead to
early death often related to cardiovascular disease.
About Resverlogix
Resverlogix is developing apabetalone (RVX-208), a
first-in-class, small molecule that is a selective BET (bromodomain
and extra-terminal) inhibitor. BET bromodomain inhibition is an
epigenetic mechanism that can regulate disease-causing genes.
Apabetalone is the first and only BET inhibitor selective for the
second bromodomain (BD2) within the BET protein called BRD4. This
selective inhibition of apabetalone on BD2 produces a specific set
of biological effects with potentially important benefits for
patients with diseases such as high-risk cardiovascular disease
(CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease, dialysis,
Alzheimer's disease, Orphan diseases, and peripheral artery
disease, while maintaining a well described safety profile.
Apabetalone is the only selective BET bromodomain inhibitor in
human clinical trials. Apabetalone is currently in a Phase 3 trial,
BETonMACE, in high-risk CVD patients with type 2 DM and low
high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and in a Phase 2a kidney dialysis
trial designed to evaluate biomarker changes and safety parameters
with apabetalone in up to 30 patients with end-stage renal disease
treated with hemodialysis.
Resverlogix common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX: RVX).
For further information please
visit www.resverlogix.com.
Follow us on Twitter:
@Resverlogix_RVX (https://twitter.com/resverlogix_rvx), or on
our blog at http://www.resverlogix.com/blog
For further information please contact:
Investor Relations
Email: ir@resverlogix.com
Phone: 403-254-9252
This news release may contain certain forward-looking
information as defined under applicable Canadian securities
legislation, that are not based on historical fact, including
without limitation statements containing the words "believes",
"anticipates", "plans", "intends", "will", "should", "expects",
"continue", "estimate", "forecasts" and other similar expressions.
In particular, this news release includes forward looking
information relating to the potential role of apabetalone in the
treatment of CVD, DM, chronic kidney disease, end-stage
renal disease treated with hemodialysis, Alzheimer's
disease, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), vascular calcification,
inflammation, Friedreich's ataxia, expression of frataxin, and
Orphan diseases. Our actual results, events or developments
could be materially different from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that any
of the events or expectations will occur or be realized. By their
nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous
assumptions and risk factors including those discussed in our
Annual Information Form and most recent MD&A which are
incorporated herein by reference and are available through SEDAR
at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this
cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. The
Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or
responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Resverlogix Corp.