Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (NASDAQ: ABUS), X-Chem, Inc. (X-Chem)
and Proteros biostructures GmbH (Proteros) announced today that
they have entered into a discovery research and license agreement
focused on the discovery of novel inhibitors targeting the
SARS-CoV-2 nsp5 main protease (Mpro). The agreement is designed to
accelerate the development of pan-coronavirus agents to treat
COVID-19 and potential future coronavirus outbreaks.
This collaboration brings together Arbutus’
expertise in the discovery and development of antiviral agents with
X-Chem’s industry leading DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology and
Proteros’ protein sciences, biophysics and structural biology
capabilities and provides important synergies to potentially
identify safe and effective therapies against coronaviruses
including SARS-CoV-2. The collaboration will allow for the rapid
screening of one of the largest small molecule libraries against
Mpro (an essential protein required for the virus to replicate
itself) and the use of state-of-the-art structure guided methods to
rapidly optimize Mpro inhibitors, which Arbutus could potentially
progress to clinical candidates. Financial terms of the transaction
were not disclosed.
“It is well accepted that in addition to the
availability of vaccines, effective and safe therapies are needed
to successfully combat the COVID-19 pandemic and any future
coronavirus outbreaks,” stated Dr. Michael Sofia, Arbutus’s Chief
Scientific Officer. “Arbutus, X-Chem and Proteros have
complementary and valuable expertise that makes this collaboration
particularly well-suited for small molecule drug discovery
targeting coronaviruses. Our goal is to identify unique and
differentiated pan-coronavirus assets targeting the main
coronavirus protease which, when combined with assets arising from
our internal nucleoside program targeting the SARS-CoV-2 nsp12
viral polymerase, could deliver a much-needed all-oral antiviral
treatment for SARS-CoV-2 and any potential future coronavirus
outbreaks.”
“We are delighted of this joint discovery
research collaboration with Arbutus and X-Chem, which has the
potential to identify unique small molecule treatment options for
COVID-19 and other possible coronavirus related respiratory
diseases,” said Dr. Torsten Neuefeind, Proteros’ CEO. “The
complementary strengths of all parties gives us a strong position
to potentially inhibit a key enzyme with a central role in the
viral life cycle in a specific and effective manner.”
“The discovery and development of novel drugs to
combat infections caused by coronavirus is an incredibly important
and challenging task,” added Matt Clark, PhD, Chief Executive
Officer of X-Chem. “We are exhilarated to join forces with industry
leaders Arbutus and Proteros in this effort and bring our drug
discovery expertise to this important area of antiviral
research.”
About Arbutus
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation is a publicly
traded (Nasdaq: ABUS) biopharmaceutical company primarily dedicated
to discovering, developing and commercializing a cure for people
with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Arbutus is
advancing multiple drug product candidates that may be combined
into a potentially curative regimen for chronic HBV infection.
Arbutus has also initiated a drug discovery and development effort
for treating coronaviruses (including COVID-19). For more
information, please visit www.arbutusbio.com.
About Proteros biostructures
GmbH
Proteros is a privately held early-stage drug
discovery services provider committed to helping pharmaceutical and
biotech companies unlock even the most challenging drug
targets.
Proteros pioneered the industrialization of
structural biology, and has developed a cutting-edge drug discovery
platform that encompasses protein sciences, protein crystallography
and cryo-EM, assays, biophysics and screening, positioned to open
the door to lead optimization and clinical programs for technically
demanding targets. The company works continuously with most of the
world’s 20 largest pharma companies and its global client base
spans more than 200 pharmaceutical and biotech partners in the US,
Europe and Japan.
For more information please
visit www.proteros.com.
About X-Chem
X-Chem is the industry-leading provider of
DNA-Encoded Library (DEL)-based discovery services. X-Chem has
entered into drug discovery partnerships with numerous
pharmaceutical companies, established and early-stage biotechnology
companies, as well as research institutes and universities
resulting in the licensing of hundreds of novel hits and leads
across many target classes and therapeutic areas. X-Chem’s clients
and licensees include AbbVie, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bayer,
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, Gilead, Janssen, Maruho, MD
Anderson Cancer Center, Otsuka, and Vertex, among others. For
further information, please visit www.x-chemrx.com
Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This press release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian
securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”).
Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements
about our expectations for the collaboration, including the ability
to allow for the rapid screening of one of the largest small
molecule libraries against Mpro and the use of state-of-the-art
structure guided methods to rapidly optimize Mpro inhibitors, which
Arbutus could potentially progress to clinical candidates; our goal
for the collaboration to identify unique and differentiated
pan-coronavirus assets targeting the main coronavirus protease
which, when combined with assets arising from our internal
nucleoside program targeting the SARS-CoV-2 nsp12 viral polymerase,
could deliver a much-needed all-oral antiviral treatment for
SARS-CoV-2 and any potential future coronavirus outbreaks; and the
potential benefits from the collaboration.
With respect to the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release, Arbutus has made numerous
assumptions regarding, among other things: the effectiveness and
timeliness of preclinical studies and clinical trials, and the
usefulness of the data; the timeliness of regulatory approvals; the
continued demand for Arbutus’ assets; and the stability of economic
and market conditions. While Arbutus considers these assumptions to
be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to
significant business, economic, competitive, market and social
uncertainties and contingencies, including uncertainties and
contingencies related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, there are known and unknown risk
factors which could cause Arbutus’ actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements contained herein. Known risk factors
include, among others: the parties may never release the expected
benefits of the collaboration; anticipated research activities and
pre-clinical studies may be more costly or take longer to complete
than anticipated, and may never be initiated or completed, or may
not generate results that warrant future development of the
candidate; Arbutus may elect to change its strategy regarding its
product candidates and clinical development activities; economic
and market conditions may worsen; market shifts may require a
change in strategic focus; and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could
significantly disrupt clinical development programs.
A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing
Arbutus appears in Arbutus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, Arbutus’
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Arbutus’ continuous and periodic
disclosure filings, which are available at www.sedar.com and
at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified
in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Arbutus
disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such
forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the result of
any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained
herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as
required by law.
Arbutus Contact Information
Investors and Media
William H. CollierPresident and CEOPhone:
267-469-0914Email: ir@arbutusbio.com
Pam MurphyInvestor Relations ConsultantPhone:
267-469-0914Email: ir@arbutusbio.com
X-Chem and Proteros Contact Information:
Steffen Helmling, PhDChief Business OfficerPhone:
781-419-6900Email: info@x-chemrx.com
Dr. Torsten NeuefeindChief Executive OfficerPhone: +49 89
700761-0Email: info@proteros.com
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