Cytokinetics and Cure SMA Renew and Expand Partnership to Advance Education and Awareness of SMA
May 17 2018 - 7:30AM
Cure SMA and Cytokinetics today announced an expanded partnership
to increase education, awareness and fundraising for spinal
muscular atrophy (SMA). As a National Platinum Partner for
2018, Cytokinetics will lend support to several of Cure SMA’s
initiatives at both the local and national level to advance
understanding of, and research toward potential treatments for SMA,
a genetic disease that robs people of physical strength and takes
away their ability to walk, eat or breathe.
Cytokinetics will sponsor the 2018 Annual SMA
Conference as a Visionary Sponsor, increasing support for this
unique event which brings together families affected by SMA, along
with researchers and clinicians, to network, learn, and
collaborate.
Cytokinetics is also a member of the Cure SMA
Industry Collaboration, a multi-faceted partnership that brings
together pharmaceutical companies, Cure SMA, and other nonprofit
organizations, to share information, ideas, and data. The SMA
Industry Collaboration works together to address scientific,
clinical and regulatory topics that are critical to advancing drug
development in SMA and will benefit the broader SMA community.
In addition, Cytokinetics will both sponsor and
participate in two local events: the Concert for a Cure and the
Northern California Walk-n-Roll. These are two of the largest
fundraisers in Cytokinetics’ home base of Northern California,
raising a combined $263,000 in 2017, and drawing nearly 700
participants from the community.
Finally, Cytokinetics will sponsor the 2018 Hope
on the Hill Congressional Dinner, an annual event that unites
families with leaders from government and industry, to work on
shared goals like increasing awareness, advancing treatments for
SMA, and improving patient care.
“Cytokinetics has become one of our
community’s most valued partners, and we are excited to have them
back for another year of partnership,” said Kenneth Hobby,
President of Cure SMA. “Because reldesemtiv targets the muscles
directly, it is an important program for our goal of attacking SMA
through multiple avenues, in order to gain approved treatments for
all ages, types, and stages of SMA. We thank them for their
dedication to our community and look forward to another productive
year together.”
“We have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Cure SMA and
are pleased to expand our involvements, particularly at a time when
more attention and research are focused on the SMA community,” said
Robert I. Blum, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Cytokinetics. “We remain committed to advancing therapies for
adolescents and adults with types II, III and IV SMA, a population
in need of new therapies to address impaired muscle function and
weakness despite the promise of gene-directed therapies.”
About Cure SMA
Cure SMA is dedicated to the treatment and cure
of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) — a disease that takes away a
person’s ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one
genetic cause of death for infants. Since 1984, we’ve directed and
invested in comprehensive research that has shaped the scientific
community’s understanding of SMA. We are currently on the verge of
breakthroughs that will strengthen bodies, extend life, and lead to
a cure. We have deep expertise in every aspect of SMA – from the
day-to-day realities to the nuances of care options – and until we
have a cure, we’ll do everything we can to support and advocate for
those affected by the disease. Learn more about how you can help us
reach a treatment and cure at www.cureSMA.org.
About Cytokinetics
Cytokinetics is a late-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and
commercializing first-in-class muscle activators as potential
treatments for debilitating diseases in which muscle performance is
compromised and/or declining. As a leader in muscle biology and the
mechanics of muscle performance, the company is developing small
molecule drug candidates specifically engineered to increase muscle
function and contractility. Cytokinetics is collaborating
with Amgen Inc. (“Amgen”) to develop omecamtiv
mecarbil, a novel cardiac muscle activator. Omecamtiv
mecarbil is the subject of GALACTIC-HF, an international Phase
3 clinical trial in patients with heart
failure. Amgen holds an exclusive worldwide license to
develop and commercialize omecamtiv mecarbil with a
sublicense held by Servier for commercialization
in Europe and certain other
countries. Cytokinetics is collaborating
with Astellas Pharma Inc. (“Astellas”) to
develop reldesemtiv (CK-2127107), a next-generation fast
skeletal muscle troponin activator
(FSTA). Reldesemtiv has been granted orphan drug
designation by the FDA for the potential treatment of
spinal muscular atrophy. Reldesemtiv is the subject of
three ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials enrolling patients with
spinal muscular atrophy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Astellas is also conducting a Phase
1b clinical trial of reldesemtiv in elderly adults with
limited mobility. Astellas holds an exclusive worldwide license to
develop and commercialize reldesemtiv. Licenses held
by Amgen and Astellas are subject
to Cytokinetics' specified co-development and
co-commercialization rights. Cytokinetics continues its
20-year history of innovation with three new muscle biology
directed compounds advancing from research to development in 2018.
For additional information about Cytokinetics,
visit www.cytokinetics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking
statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Cytokinetics disclaims any intent or
obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims
the protection of the Act's Safe Harbor for forward-looking
statements. Examples of such statements include, but are not
limited to, statements relating to Cytokinetics' and its partners'
research and development activities of Cytokinetics’ product
candidates. Such statements are based on management's current
expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to
various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to the
risks related to Cytokinetics' business outlined in Cytokinetics'
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance, and Cytokinetics' actual results of operations,
financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the
industry in which it operates, may differ materially from the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any
forward-looking statements that Cytokinetics makes in this press
release speak only as of the date of this press release.
Cytokinetics assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking
statements whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, after the date of this press release.
Contact:CytokineticsDiane WeiserVice President,
Corporate Communications, Investor Relations(650) 624-3060
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