Algernon Pharmaceuticals Announces Ifenprodil (NP-120) an NDMA
Receptor Antagonist as its Lead Drug That Reduced Fibrosis in
a Recent Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Study by 56%
Vancouver, British Columbia -- July 29, 2019 -- InvestorsHub
NewsWire -- Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW) (OTCB: BTHCF) (the
“Company” or “Algernon”), a
clinical stage pharmaceutical development company, is pleased to
announce that NP-120, its lead compound in its idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis (IPF) research program, is a drug called
Ifenprodil, an orally delivered small molecule,
which was originally developed by Sanofi to treat peripheral
circulatory disorders. Algernon conducted two independent studies
showing that NP-120 (Ifenprodil) outperformed the world’s leading
two treatments for IPF, Nintedanib and Pirfenidone in a recent
pre-clinical in vivo animal study, reducing fibrosis by
56% with statistical significance.
Since NP-120 (Ifenprodil) is already approved with an established
safety history, Algernon intends to move the drug directly into a
phase II human trial. The Algernon business model is to repurpose
safe, approved, genericized drugs that are not available in the US
or Europe, screen them in globally accepted animal models for new
diseases, file new intellectual property rights and then move them
into an off label phase II trial in the country where they were
originally approved. Once a signal is established in a human
trial, the company will begin to advance the repurposed drug
through a USFDA registration.
“We are very pleased to announce NP-120 (Ifenprodil) as part of a
class of compounds that could be beneficial for patients with IPF,”
said Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals. “IPF
is a very serious disease and we plan to move NP-120 (Ifenprodil)
into a Phase II clinical trial as quickly as possible to establish
human efficacy. We also intend to pursue partnering discussions
specific to our IPF program and to seek an orphan designation with
regulatory authorities."
About NP-120 (Ifenprodil)
NP-120 (Ifenprodil) is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NDMA)
receptor glutamate receptor antagonist specifically targeting
the NMDA-type subunit 2B (Glu2NB). Ifenprodil also exhibits agonist
activity for the Sigma-1 receptor, a chaperone protein up-regulated
during endoplasmic reticulum stress. The company is currently
investigating the mechanism of action as it relates to IPF.
NP-120 (Ifenprodil - brand name Cerocral) was initially
developed by Sanofi in the 1990s in the French and Japanese markets
for the treatment of circulatory disorders. Although no longer
available in France, the drug is highly genericized and still sold
in Japan.
Potential Drug Class Effect
The Company also tested NP-121 (Radiprodil), which possess a
similar phenylethanolamine pharmacophore as NP-120 (Ifenprodil), in
its initial IPF in vivo animal study. In the study,
both compounds, at the same dose, reduced fibrosis to a similar
extent. This data established an early indication that this could
be a potential drug class effect and not unique to NP-120
(Ifenprodil) alone. NP-121 (Radiprodil) was originally developed by
Gideon Richter and Forest labs and reached Phase III trials for the
treatment of diabetic nephropathy. The French pharmaceutical firm
UCB, having acquired the development rights, have been recently
testing NP-121 (Radiprodil) for the treatment of drug-resistant
infantile spasms. Other compounds targeting the Glu2NB pathway that
have been tested in the clinic included EVT-101 (Evotech/Roche) and
MK-0657.
Algernon has filed several patent applications protecting their
intellectual property rights with respect to both NP-120
(Ifenprodil) and NP-121 (Radiprodil) and other derivatives.
About IPF
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an orphan disease, is a type of
chronic lung condition characterized by a progressive and
irreversible decline in lung function and scarring (fibrosis) of
the lungs. There is no cure for IPF and there are currently no
procedures or medications that can remove the scarring from the
lungs.
According to research and consulting firm GlobalData’s latest
report, the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) market will rise
substantially from just over $900 million in 2015 to $3.2 billion
by 2025, representing a projected compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of 13.6%.
About Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The Algernon business model is to repurpose safe, approved generic
drugs that are not available in the US or Europe, screen them in
globally accepted animal models for new diseases, file new
intellectual property rights and then move them into off label
phase II trials. Once a signal is established in a human trial, the
company will begin to advance its drug through a USFDA
registration.
The Company is preparing multiple lead compounds for phase II
trials for the disease areas of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
(NASH), irritable bowel disease (IBD), chronic kidney disease (CKD)
and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
CONTACT INFORMATION
Christopher J. Moreau
CEO
Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
604.398.4175 ext 701
info@algernonpharmaceuticals.com
investors@algernonpharmaceuticals.com
www.algernonpharmaceuticals.com
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Crystal Quast
Bullseye Corporate
647.529.6364
quast@bullseyecorporate.com
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