Artizan Biosciences and Biohaven Therapeutics Announce Therapeutic Development Program in Parkinson’s Disease
November 18 2021 - 07:30AM
Artizan Biosciences, Inc. (“Artizan”), a biotechnology company at
the frontier of microbiome precision medicine, and Biohaven
Therapeutics Ltd. (“Biohaven”, parent company NYSE:BHVN), a
commercial-stage Neuroinnovation company, today announced the
companies are initiating a therapeutic discovery and development
program in Parkinson’s disease (PD), to exploit recent scientific
advances in the understanding of pathogenic roles played by the gut
microbiome in PD. This follows the companies’ first collaboration
announced in March 2021 centered on Artizan-discovered product
candidates for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The PD research program will initially focus on sample
collection, animal model and research capabilities development, and
identification of microorganisms (“pathobionts”) that can promote
alpha-synuclein pathology, which is the hallmark of PD, and the
onset and progression of disease symptoms. The collaboration will
subseqently concentrate on discovery and development of novel small
molecule therapeutics designed to block the harmful effects of
these pathobionts.
Bridget Martell, M.D., Artizan’s President and CEO, said, “We
are excited to expand our collaboration with Biohaven to address
Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease with high unmet
need that may benefit from our innovative and validated approach to
develop small molecule therapeutics that target the microbiome. An
increasingly compelling body of evidence suggests the gut-brain
axis plays a pivotal role in the development of PD, offering the
opportunity to pursue this novel treatment strategy.”
Artizan will leverage its experience creating IBD-BIOME, the
company’s flagship biobanking program in IBD, which collected
clinical data from over 1,500 proprietary longitudinal patient
samples. IBD-BIOME aided the identification of pathobionts through
its proprietary drug discovery platform utlilizing IgA-SEQ™
technology that allowed the company to progress three clinical drug
programs intended for the treatment of IBD. Artizan will similarly
develop a “PD-BIOME” biobanking program, supporting the screening
of patient samples and subsequent identification of new pathobionts
and potential therapies for PD.
Irfan Qureshi, M.D., Vice President of Neurology at Biohaven,
commented, “We look forward to broadening our partnership with
Artizan and enhancing our early stage pipeline. The microbiome is
at the nexus of immunity, inflammation, metabolism, and
brain-systemic communication, which are all deregulated in
Parkinson’s disease. Artizan’s highly differentiated IgA-SEQ
technology and proven microbiome-targeted small molecule platform,
combined with Biohaven’s deep expertise in neurological diseases,
provides a unique opportunity to develop cutting-edge therapeutics
for PD.”
About Artizan Biosciences, Inc.Artizan
Biosciences, Inc. is a biotechnology company at the frontier of
microbiome precision medicine, targeting and blocking
microbial-driven dysregulation and inflammation in the gut that is
at the root cause of many serious diseases. The company’s
proprietary drug discovery engine identifies and characterizes
microbial drivers of disease within precise patient subsets in
high-value areas including gastrointestinal, metabolic, autoimmune,
and neurodegenerative diseases. Using a novel small molecule
approach, Artizan modulates intestinal imbalance by inhibiting
specific, disease-associated microbial virulence factors in the
intestinal tract. The company’s platform with its lead program
nearing the clinic in inflammatory bowel disease is validated by
strategic partnerships with Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Brii
Biosciences, and Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Founded with
IgA-SEQ™ technology and preeminent immunobiology expertise from
Yale University, Artizan is based in New Haven, CT. For more
information, please visit www.artizanbiosciences.com.
About BiohavenBiohaven is a commercial-stage
biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative,
best-in-class therapies to improve the lives of patients with
debilitating neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, including
rare disorders. Biohaven's neuroinnovation portfolio includes
FDA-approved NURTEC® ODT (rimegepant) for the acute and preventive
treatment of migraine and a broad pipeline of late-stage product
candidates across three distinct mechanistic platforms: CGRP
receptor antagonism for the acute and preventive treatment of
migraine; glutamate modulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder,
Alzheimer's disease, and spinocerebellar ataxia; and MPO inhibition
for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. More information about Biohaven
is available at www.biohavenpharma.com.
NURTEC and NURTEC ODT are registered trademarks of Biohaven
Pharmaceutical Ireland DAC.
Neuroinnovation is a trademark of Biohaven Pharmaceutical
Holding Company Ltd.
Biohaven Forward-Looking StatementsThis news
release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and
uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current
expectations and assumptions of the Biohaven’s management. All
statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in
this press release regarding Biohaven’s business and product
candidate plans and objectives are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include those related to: Biohaven's
ability to effectively develop a CGRP antagonist as a preventative
treatment for patients with migraine and treatment of other
CGRP-mediated diseases, complying with applicable U.S. regulatory
requirements, the expected timing, commencement and outcomes of
Biohaven's planned and ongoing clinical trials, the timing of
planned interactions and filings with the FDA, the timing and
outcome of expected regulatory filings, the potential
commercialization of Biohaven's product candidates, the potential
for Biohaven's product candidates to be first in class or best in
class therapies and the effectiveness and safety of Biohaven's
product candidates. The use of certain words, including "believe",
"continue", "may", "on track", "expects" and "will" and similar
expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Various important factors could cause actual results or events to
differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by
our forward-looking statements. Additional important factors to be
considered in connection with forward-looking statements are
described in the "Risk Factors" section of Biohaven's Annual Report
on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 1, 2021, and in Biohaven's subsequent filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking
statements are made as of this date and Biohaven does not undertake
any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
required by law.
Biohaven Contact:Dr. Vlad CoricChief Executive
OfficerVlad.Coric@biohavenpharma.com
Artizan Biosciences Media Contact:Gina Cestari6
Degrees(917) 797-7904gcestari@6degreespr.com
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