Assembly Biosciences Announces Presentation at International Association for the Study of the Liver Congress and Update on HB...
June 21 2019 - 7:05AM
Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASMB), a clinical-stage
biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting
hepatitis B virus (HBV) and diseases associated with the
microbiome, today announced that Richard Colonno, PhD, Executive
Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer, Virology Operations, will
present at the first International Association for the Study of the
Liver (IASL) Congress on June 22, 2019 in Beijing.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to highlight our HBV
Cure program during the inaugural IASL Congress in Beijing and
provide an update on our business activities in China, including
drug development efforts in the country. Hepatitis B is considered
a major health threat in China, with more than 90 million people
living with the infection. It is clear that nucleos(t)ide therapy
alone is not capable of completely eliminating viral replication
and infection, but the addition of a core inhibitor, like those in
Assembly’s portfolio, may have the potential to achieve superior
antiviral efficacy compared to nucleos(t)ide therapy alone and
block cccDNA generation,” said Derek Small, President and Chief
Executive Officer. “Assembly is also progressing its global
regulatory strategy, with two Clinical Trial Applications (CTAs)
accepted in China and trial initiations anticipated this year, and
its plans to initiate discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration about potential registration pathways.”
The oral presentation, “New Therapies to More Effectively
Eliminate Viral Replication and Increase Cure Rates in CHB
Patients,” will review the scientific rationale Assembly is
pursuing to improve cure rates in patients with chronic HBV and
interim clinical data previously reported by the company in April
2019 at The International Liver Congress™(ILC), the Annual Meeting
of the European Association for the Study of the Liver relating to
the company’s HBV Cure program comprised of clinical candidates
ABI-H0731 (731), ABI-H2158 (2158) and ABI-H3733.
The data being reviewed includes the two ongoing Phase 2a
studies of 731, Assembly’s lead core inhibitor program, in
combination with standard of care nucleos(t)ide therapy (Nuc). The
studies explore the first two critical steps thought to be
necessary for a direct acting antiviral therapy to achieve higher
cure rates, including the ability to eliminate residual viremia and
the prevention of both new viral replication and new cccDNA
generation.
Update Regarding Assembly ChinaGiven the significant impact of
chronic HBV infection in China and elsewhere in Asia, Assembly
established Assembly Biotechnology Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd
(Assembly China) as a separate wholly owned business unit in 2016
and has made research and clinical development in the region a
priority. Assembly China has established focused teams in Beijing
and Shanghai to support its clinical trials, regulatory
interactions and medical affairs activities. The company has
received Clinical Trial Application (CTA) approvals from China’s
Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE), part of the National Medical
Products Administration (NMPA) in China with the plans to initiate
clinical trials of both 731 and 2158 at designated leading HBV
trial sites in China.
Assembly is collaborating with leading regional experts,
including Professor Jinlin Hou, the Director and Professor of the
Hepatology Unit and Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang
Hospital, Southern Medical University, in Guangzhou, China. “HBV
infection is reaching epidemic proportions in China and has a
devastating impact on patients. New treatment options are needed to
eliminate residual viremia and move toward greater rates of cure,
so I am pleased to support Assembly’s studies exploring the
potential of core inhibitors as a key component of more efficacious
treatment regimens,” said Dr. Hou.
A copy of the IASL presentation will be available on the Events
& Presentations page of the Investors section of the company’s
website at assemblybio.com.
About Assembly BiosciencesAssembly
Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company
developing innovative therapeutics targeting hepatitis B virus
(HBV) and diseases associated with the microbiome. The HBV program
is focused on advancing a new class of potent, oral core inhibitors
that have the potential to increase cure rates for chronically
infected patients. The microbiome program is developing novel
oral live microbial biotherapeutic candidates with Assembly’s fully
integrated platform, including a robust process for strain
identification and selection, GMP banking and production, and
targeted delivery to the lower gastrointestinal tract with the
GEMICEL® technology. For more information,
visit assemblybio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements The information in
this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding
future events, including statements about the clinical and
therapeutic potential of core inhibitors, including ABI-H0731,
ABI-H2158 and, ABI-H3733. Certain forward-looking statements may be
identified by reference to a future period or by use of
forward-looking terminology such as “anticipated,” “expected,”
“intention,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” and “projected.” Assembly
intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe
harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. Actual results or developments may differ
materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others:
the scientific theory for core inhibitors is unproven and novel;
top-line or initial data may not accurately reflect the complete
results of a particular study or trial; outcomes of clinical
studies are uncertain and results of earlier preclinical and
nonclinical studies may not be predictive of future clinical
studies results. More information about the risks and uncertainties
faced by Assembly are more fully detailed under the heading “Risk
Factors” in Assembly's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Except as required by law, Assembly assumes no
obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
Contacts Assembly Biosciences, Inc. Investors:
Lauren Glaser (415) 521-3828 lglaser@assemblybio.com
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