NetworkNewsWire
Editorial Coverage: Innovation and breakthroughs in the biotech
industry are essential to identifying and providing life-saving
treatments. Companies that invest substantial amounts of time,
effort, and resources in key areas of research and innovation are
critical in the advancement treatment options across the board. On
the front lines of research and development in the area of
inflammation, which typically occurs in the body as a natural
response to threats such as infection or injury can cause severe
damage and even death, is 180 Life Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ:
KBLM) (180
Profile). The company is focused on
groundbreaking studies in clinical programs designed to develop
novel therapeutics that address distinct areas of inflammation.
Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ:
ADAP) recently announced that the European
Medicines Agency ("EMA") has granted the company access to the
PRIority MEdicines ("PRIME") initiative for ADP-A2M4 for the
treatment of synovial sarcoma. Earlier this year, the FDA approved
Aimmune
Therapeutics Inc.’s (NASDAQ:
AIMT) PALFORZIA(TM) as a first treatment for
life-threatening peanut allergies. Immunovant Inc. (NASDAQ:
IMVT) has announced positive topline results from
ASCEND MG, a Phase 2a study of IMVT-1401 in patients with
myasthenia gravis ("MG"). And CareDx
Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNA) has
partnered with Johns Hopkins University to launch the ALARM
(AlloSure Lung Allograft Remote Monitoring) system, which provides
home blood draws for routine transplant surveillance tests for the
university’s immunosuppressed transplant patients.
- More than 50% of all deaths are attributable to
inflammation-related diseases.
- 180 Life Sciences is founded by world-renowned pioneers of
anti-inflammatory research and drug development. Previous drug
discoveries, such as Remicade and Tysabri, have led to
multibillion-dollar buyouts.
- Anti-inflammatory biologics market projected to
reach $150 billion annually by 2027.
- 180 Life Sciences is focusing on developing the next generation
of innovative anti-inflammatory drugs to inhibit the ravages of
chronic inflammation.
Click here to view
the custom infographic of the 180 Life Sciences Corp.
(NASDAQ: KBLM) editorial.
A “Most Important” Medical Discovery
A central concern for many biotech companies in the medical
sector is inflammation. Inflammation is a well-known symptom of
multiple infectious diseases. However, multidiscipline research
strongly suggests that inflammation is also closely linked with a
broad range of noninfectious diseases.
A “Nature
Medicine” article observes that “one of the most important
medical discoveries of the past two decades has been that the
immune system and inflammatory processes are involved in not just a
few select disorders, but a wide variety of mental and physical
health problems that dominate present-day morbidity and mortality
worldwide. Indeed, chronic inflammatory diseases have been
recognized as the most significant cause of death in the world
today, with more than 50% of all deaths being attributable to
inflammation-related diseases such as ischemic heart disease,
stroke, cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease,
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ('NAFLD') and autoimmune and
neurodegenerative conditions.”
The idea that an estimated half of all deaths are attributable
to inflammation-related diseases is sobering. In addition,
inflammation has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, cancer, heart
disease and diabetes among others. Of course, normal increases in
inflammation to fight off infection or respond to injury are
normal, even necessary to survive. The problem with chronic
inflammation is that the immune system doesn’t shut off, continuing
to act as if there's a problem — either because one actually does
exists or because the inflammatory response isn’t working
correctly. This insight opens new possibilities for groundbreaking
treatment and therapeutics.
Developing Next-Generation Solutions
180 Life
Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ: KBLM) is intent on developing novel
therapeutics to treat inflammation, the fundamental basis of most
disease states. The company’s executive time includes distinguished
serial biomedical entrepreneurs, who were the first to successfully
develop anti-inflammatory drugs such as the anti-TNF biologics and
the anti-integrin inhibitors that are now on the market generating
multibillions of dollars per year in sales. 180 Life Sciences’
clinical-stage research is currently targeting the development of
the next generation of innovative anti-inflammatory drugs to slow
the ravages of chronic inflammation and offer relief for millions
of patients with inflammatory disease.
Relying on decades of experience, the company has decreased both
the risk and the cost faced by many biotechnology companies by
having multiple programs in different stages of development and by
using significant non-dilutive grant funding and cost-effective
clinical trials. The first targets, which are in clinical stages,
are Dupuytren’s disease (Phase 2b/3), frozen shoulder (Phase 2
planned) and post-operative cognitive deficit (Phase 2 planned)
using anti-TNF therapy, which suppresses the immune system by
blocking activity in the body that can cause inflammation and lead
to immune-system diseases.
Active Programs, Significant Advancements
180 Life Sciences is currently focusing on three active
platforms designed to develop novel drugs in distinct areas of
inflammation. The initial programs offer solutions to diseases with
no effective nonsurgical therapies. Based at Oxford University, the
Fibrosis & Anti-TNF (Phase 2b/3 Trials) platform is led by
Jagdeep Nanchahal, a surgeon-scientist running the phase 2 trials,
and Marc Feldmann, a renowned immunologist and anti-TNF therapy
pioneer.
The Fibrosis & Anti-TNF platform is intended to address
acute areas of inflammation: Dupuytren’s contracture, a hand
deformity that afflicts about 5% of the U.S. population; frozen
shoulder, which causes range of motion loss along with pain; and
POCD (post-operative cognitive dementia), a serious post-operative
complication. More than 350,000 coronary artery bypass procedures
are conducted in the United States each year, and POCD is observed
in more than 40% of those.
180 Life Sciences appears to be making significant advancements
toward identifying a preventive therapy. The company is in Phase
2b/3 with Dupuytren’s and plans on starting Phase 2 for frozen
shoulder and POCD in Q3/4 2021. In addition, 180 Life Sciences has
an immense intellectual property portfolio for all these
indications and is developing novel agents as next-generation
anti-inflammatory therapeutics for use when current anti-TNF’s
fail, which they are wont to do.
In addition, preclinical studies in liver fibrosis and
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis ("NASH") are scheduled to begin in
late 2020. Numerous near-term inflection points are included in
these anti-TNF programs; one program is already in late-stage 2b/3
trial, and two additional clinical programs are projected to start
Q3/4 2021, funded by a National Institute for Health Research
grant.
The company’s other two preclinical programs are Inflammatory
Pain and A7nAChR. Led by Raphael Mechoulam at the Hebrew University
in Israel, Inflammatory Pain is focused on discovering novel
compounds to treat chronic inflammatory pain. α7nAChR is directed
by Lawrence Steinman and Jonathan Rothbard, MD, from Stanford
University. This program seeks to identify a treatment for
ulcerative colitis in ex-smokers by targeting α7nAChR, a nicotine
receptor in the body and a key factor in the body’s method of
controlling inflammation.
Though currently a private company, 180 Life Sciences has
entered into a merger agreement with KBL Merger Corp. IV (KBLM) and
filed its registration statement with the SEC. KBLM is a special
purpose acquisition corporation ("SPAC"), some of which — such as
Forum Merger II
Corporation (NASDAQ: FMCI) and AdaptHealth
Corp. (NASDAQ: AHCO) — have performed very well this year. KBLM
has successfully closed a bridge financing with proceeds used for
working capital to complete the merger and advance clinical
programs. The business combination is expected to close in Q4 2020.
Following the merger, 180 Life Sciences will be listed on the
Nasdaq Capital Market under ticker symbol ATNF, and shareholders of
KBL Merger Corp. will receive one-for-one shares in 180 Life
Sciences.
Groundbreaking Potential
The 180 Life Sciences’ team certainly looks to have the key
knowledge and experience to deliver another groundbreaking drug.
Team members developed the first-ever anti-inflammatory
therapeutics currently on the market; these drugs accrue billions
of dollars a year in sales.
A pioneer of anti-TNF therapy, Feldmann is a pre-eminent
immunologist and professor at the University of Oxford. He is
co-chair of 180 Life Sciences and the recipient of seven
International awards for Biomedical Innovation, including Crafoord
and Lasker Awards, and is a fellow of the Royal Society.
Steinman, also co-chair, is a Stanford University clinician and
scientific luminary, having discovered the role of integrins, which
led to the creation of Tysabri (Natalizumab), a highlight effective
treatment for multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Steinman is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has
received four international awards for biomedical innovation.
CEO James N. Woody, was instrumental in the discovery of
Remicade as chief scientific officer at Centocor, which was then
sold to Johnson
& Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) for $4.9 billion. Woody also founded
Avidia and Proteolix, both of which were sold to Amgen. In
addition, he was also a general partner at Latterell Venture
Partners. Woody previously served as general manager of Roche
Biosciences, the former Syntex Pharmaceutical Company.
In addition, the company has a significant pipeline of drugs in
different stages of clinical development, creating intellectual
properties with significant patent protection. The programs
currently underway generate multiple opportunities for licensing,
joint ventures, the acquisition of novel compounds, and the
potential for a series of blockbuster anti-inflammatory
therapeutics.
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This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
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Additional Information about the 180 Life Sciences Business
Combination and Where to Find It
KBL Merger Corp. IV (“KBL”) has filed a registration statement
on Form S-4, which includes a preliminary proxy
statement/prospectus for KBL’s stockholders, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. KBL’s definitive proxy
statement/prospectus will be mailed to KBL’s stockholders that do
not opt to receive the document electronically. KBL and 180 Life
Sciences urge investors, stockholders and other interested persons
to read the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, as well as
other documents that will be filed with the SEC, because these
documents will contain important information about the proposed
business combination transaction. Such persons can also read KBL’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2019, for a description of the security holdings of its officers
and directors and their respective interests as security holders in
the consummation of the proposed business combination transaction.
KBL’s definitive proxy statement/prospectus, which is included in
the registration statement, will be mailed to stockholders of KBL
as of a record date to be established. KBL’s stockholders will also
be able to obtain a copy of such documents, without charge, by
directing a request to: KBL Merger Corp. IV, 30 Park Place, Suite
45E, New York, NY 10007; e-mail: admin@kblvc.com These documents can also be
obtained, without charge, at the SEC’s web site (http://www.sec.gov)
Participants in Solicitation
KBL and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting
of KBL’s stockholders to be held to approve the proposed
transactions in connection with the business combination with 180
Life Sciences. Information regarding the persons who may, under the
rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of
KBL’s stockholders in connection with the proposed business
combination with 180 Life Sciences are set forth in the amended
preliminary proxy statement/prospectus included in the registration
statement that was filed with the SEC on August 28, 2020. You can
find information about KBL’s executive officers and directors in
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on April 7, 2020. You can
obtain free copies of these documents from KBL using the contact
information above.
Non-Solicitation
This communication is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a
proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or
in respect of the proposed business combination between KBL and 180
Life Sciences and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of KBL and 180 Life
Sciences, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any
state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale
would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of
securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting
the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
Source:
NetworkNewsWire
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