Anti-Cancer Mechanism of Hepion Pharmaceuticals’ CRV431 Highlighted in Scripps Research Institute Poster at AASLD, The Liver Meeting® 2021
November 10 2021 - 7:55AM
Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:HEPA), a clinical stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on Artificial Intelligence
(“AI”)-driven therapeutic drug development for the treatment of
non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”) and other liver diseases,
today announced that results from a study conducted by Dr. Philippe
Gallay’s research group at The Scripps Research Institute
examining the anti-tumor mechanism of the Company’s lead drug
candidate, CRV431, will be available as an e-poster at the Liver
Meeting® 2021, hosted by the American Association for the Study of
Liver Diseases (AASLD), to be held virtually November 12-15, 2021.
Poster Details
- Poster
#: 1768
-
Title: Cyclophilin D Knockout Significantly
Prevents HCC Development in a Streptozotocin-Induced Mouse Model of
Diabetes-Linked NASH
-
Session: NAFLD and NASH
-
Authors: Stauffer, W.; Kuo, J.; Ure, D.; Foster,
R.; Gallay, P.
About the Study
This animal model recapitulates NASH and, over a
longer period of time, induces hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the
most prevalent type of liver cancer observed in NASH. Cyclophilin
inhibition utilizing therapeutic agents, including Hepion’s
investigational drug candidate CRV431, have previously been shown
to reduce tumor burdern in this model.
CRV431 inhibits many of the iso-forms of
cyclophilins, enzymes involved in key aspects of disease
progression. One of these important isoforms, cyclophilin D, was
investigated at the Gallay Laboratory at Scripps Research Institute
in mice lacking cyclophilin D. This particular isoform is an
important component of the mitochondrial permeability transition
pore and has a role in cell injury and death.
Wild type mice (not lacking in cyclophilin D)
had HCC tumor burden scores that were three times greater than mice
lacking cyclophilin D (p = 0.03). The study concluded that
cyclophilin inhibition represents a novel class of compounds to
treat HCC and that reductions in cyclophilin D are significantly
protected from HCC.
About Hepion Pharmaceuticals
The Company's lead drug candidate, CRV431, is a
potent inhibitor of cyclophilins, which are involved in many
disease processes. CRV431 is currently in clinical-phase
development for the treatment of NASH, with the potential to play
an important role in the overall treatment of liver disease - from
triggering events through to end-stage disease. CRV431 has been
shown to reduce liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma tumor
burden in experimental models of NASH; and has demonstrated
antiviral activities towards HBV, HCV, and HDV through several
mechanisms, in nonclinical studies.
Hepion has created a proprietary AI platform, called AI-POWR™,
which stands for Artificial Intelligence -
Precision Medicine; Omics
(including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and
lipidomics); World database access; and
Response and clinical outcomes. Hepion intends to
use AI-POWR™ to help identify which NASH patients will best respond
to CRV431, potentially shortening development timelines and
increasing the delta between placebo and treatment groups. In
addition to using AI-POWR™ to drive its ongoing NASH clinical
development program, Hepion intends to use the platform to identify
additional potential indications for CRV431 to expand the company's
footprint in the cyclophilin inhibition therapeutic space.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are
forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified
by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,”
“believe,” “forecast,” “estimated,” and “intend,” among others.
These forward-looking statements are based on Hepion
Pharmaceuticals’ current expectations and actual results could
differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause
actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not
limited to, substantial competition; our ability to continue as a
going concern; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of
patent protection and litigation; risks associated with delays,
increased costs and funding shortages caused by the COVID-19
pandemic; uncertainties with respect to lengthy and expensive
clinical trials, that results of earlier studies and trials may not
be predictive of future trial results; uncertainties of government
or third party payer reimbursement; limited sales and marketing
efforts and dependence upon third parties; and risks related to
failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance
with FDA regulations. As with any drug candidates under
development, there are significant risks in the development,
regulatory approval, and commercialization of new products. There
are no guarantees that future clinical trials discussed in this
press release will be completed or successful, or that any product
will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be
commercially successful. Hepion Pharmaceuticals does not undertake
an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
Investors should read the risk factors set forth in Hepion
Pharmaceuticals’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020,
and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
For further information, please contact:
Stephen KilmerHepion Pharmaceuticals Investor RelationsDirect:
(646) 274-3580skilmer@hepionpharma.com
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