ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ampio
Pharmaceuticals (NYSE American: AMPE), a biopharmaceutical company
focused on the advancement of immunology-based therapies for
prevalent inflammatory conditions, today announced the results of a
pre-clinical study demonstrating that Ampion inhibits an important
pro-inflammatory pathway in the types of immune cells implicated in
COVID-19 and Lupus Nephritis.
The aim of the investigation was to evaluate the ability of
Ampion to suppress TLR7 signaling and, thereby, reduce the
pro-inflammatory chemokine, CXCL10. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are
one of the primary mechanisms by which innate immune cells detect
and acutely respond to microbial infection. Dysregulation of these
signaling pathways has been implicated in the pathology of a
variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
TLR7 normally serves to detect viral single-stranded RNA (like
SARS-Cov-2), but it is also linked to cytokine storm development
and acute kidney injury in sepsis and lupus. Previous in
vitro laboratory investigations have demonstrated that Ampion
inhibits activity of pro-inflammatory transcription factors (NF-κB
and STAT) and pro-inflammatory cytokine release (such as TNFα,
IL1β, IL6, and CXCL10) in a variety of immune cells.
"Recent evidence from our laboratory demonstrates that Ampion
treatment of macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes stimulated
with a specific TLR7 activator significantly inhibits the release
of CXCL10, the chemokine associated with the dysregulated immune
response seen in COVID-19," said David Bar-Or, M.D., Director and
Founder of Ampio Pharmaceuticals and a co-investigator in the
study. "Ampion reduced CXCL10 up to 92 percent compared to a saline
solution (p<0.05). This result also implies a role for Ampion in
inhibiting the upregulated TLR7 signaling shown in the devastating
kidney complication of systemic lupus erythematous, lupus
nephritis, for which no specific treatment is available."
About Ampio Pharmaceuticals
Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a development stage
biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of
Ampion, our product candidate, to treat prevalent inflammatory
conditions for which there are limited treatment options. Ampio's
lead drug, Ampion, is backed by an extensive patent portfolio with
intellectual property protection extending through 2035 and will be
eligible for 12-year FDA market exclusivity upon approval as a
novel biologic under the biologics price competition and innovation
act (BPCIA).
Forward Looking Statements
Ampio's statements in this press release that are not historical
fact, and that relate to future plans or events, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believe,"
"expect," "plan," "anticipate," and similar expressions. These
forward-looking statements include statements regarding Ampio's
expectations with respect to Ampion and its classification, as well
as those associated with regulatory approvals and other FDA
decisions, the Biological License Application (BLA), the ability of
Ampio to enter into partnering arrangements, clinical
trials and decisions and changes in business conditions and similar
events, the ability to receive regulatory approval to conduct
clinical trials, that Ampion may be used to treat ARDS induced by
COVID-19, all of which are inherently subject to various risks and
uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties involved include those
detailed from time to time in Ampio's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, under
Ampio's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ampio undertakes no
obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
Company Contacts
Investor Relations
Joe
Hassett
joeh@gregoryfca.com
484-686-6600
Media Contact
Katie
Kennedy
katie@gregoryfca.com
610-731-1045
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SOURCE Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.