IMM Immupharma Plc

 

TIDMIMM 
 
RNS Number : 0764O 
Immupharma PLC 
23 June 2010 
 

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| For Immediate Release        |                 23 June 2010 | 
+------------------------------+------------------------------+ 
 
 
                                 ImmuPharma PLC 
 
Cephalon, ImmuPharma license partner for Rigerimod (Lupuzor) initiates critical 
                        steps in its development program 
 
                            US Recruitment commences 
 
 
ImmuPharma PLC (LSE:IMM), ("ImmuPharma" or the "Company"), the specialist drug 
discovery and development company, is pleased to announce today that Cephalon 
Inc., its license partner for IPP-201101 (Rigerimod; Lupuzor) has started the 
recruitment of lupus patients for a Phase IIb trial in the US. This study was 
designed to allow US based investigators and the FDA to evaluate Rigerimod 
(Lupuzor) as a treatment for lupus before commencing a Phase III clinical trial. 
A large number of centres are involved and the study is expected to be extended 
to EU sites within a few months. The data generated from this trial will be part 
of the package to be submitted to the FDA and other regulatory authorities for 
approval. 
 
In addition to the US trial and in order to prepare for the commercial 
development in Japan, Cephalon has entered into a separate sub-licence agreement 
with Symbio Pharmaceuticals.  Under the agreement, Cephalon retains all 
commercialisation rights to Rigerimod (Lupuzor) in Japan, and Symbio is granted 
an exclusive right to conduct a Japanese-based Phase I clinical study which is 
mandatory for a future filing of Rigerimod (Lupuzor) with the Japanese 
regulatory bodies. 
 
Dimitri Dimitriou, Chief Executive Officer of ImmuPharma said: "We are extremely 
encouraged with the progress Cephalon is making with regards to the US trials, 
first steps into Japan and importantly their commitment to the Lupuzor 
programme." 
 
 
For further information please contact: 
 
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| ImmuPharma PLC:              |                              | 
+------------------------------+------------------------------+ 
| Dimitri Dimitriou, Chief     |             +44 20 7152 4080 | 
| Executive Officer            |                              | 
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| Dr Robert Zimmer, President  |            + 33 389 32 76 50 | 
| & Chief Scientific Officer   |                              | 
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| Richard Warr, Chairman       |             +44 20 7152 4080 | 
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|                              |                              | 
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| Buchanan Communications      |            + 44 20 7466 5000 | 
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| Lisa Baderoon                |                              | 
+------------------------------+------------------------------+ 
| Catherine Breen              |                              | 
+------------------------------+------------------------------+ 
 
+------------------------------+------------------------------+ 
| Panmure Gordon & Co          |            + 44 20 7459 3600 | 
+------------------------------+------------------------------+ 
| Andrew Burnett               |                              | 
+------------------------------+------------------------------+ 
| Rakesh Sharma                |                              | 
+------------------------------+------------------------------+ 
 
Notes to Editors: 
 
About ImmuPharma 
 
ImmuPharma PLC is a drug discovery and development company headquartered in 
London, UK and quoted on AIM of the London Stock Exchange (LSE:IMM). It has 
research operations in France (ImmuPharma (France) SA) and Switzerland 
(ImmuPharma AG). ImmuPharma is dedicated to the development of novel drugs, 
largely based on peptide therapeutics, to treat serious medical conditions such 
as autoimmune diseases characterised by: 
 
·           blockbuster potential in niche markets 
 
·           low promotional costs in few specialised physicians and centres and 
 
·           lower risk of drug development and lower development costs 
 
ImmuPharma is a currently developing drug candidates for three different medical 
conditions, each of which would represent a significant breakthrough in its 
field. The furthest advanced drug candidate targets Lupus, a disease for which 
there is currently no cure or specific treatment. The other two address moderate 
to severe pain (such as that experienced by cancer sufferers and post-operative 
patients), and MRSA and similar severe hospital-acquired resistant infections. 
 
All three have significant sales potential as well as low marketing costs and a 
relatively low risk of development failure. One or more have the potential to be 
fast-tracked by the US Food and Drug Administration according to "Guidance for 
Industry: Fast Track Drug Development Programs - Designation, Development and 
Application Review" issued July 2004 and could therefore obtain their market 
authorization by 2010. 
 
Key to the potential success of ImmuPharma is its unique collaborative agreement 
with Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France's scientific research 
institution. This agreement grants ImmuPharma worldwide exclusive rights to 
exploit certain key discoveries. 
 
In addition to its three leading drug candidates, ImmuPharma has a drug 
development pipeline using its rights to a virtual chemical library of hundreds 
of thousands of molecules as well as an innovative technology for converting 
peptides to drug candidates. 
 
ImmuPharma has the option to commercialise its assets itself or to license them 
to other pharmaceutical companies at an earlier stage. 
 
 
The products 
 
Treatment of Lupus (IPP-201101) 
 
This is a long-term treatment for Lupus, a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune 
disease where the immune system attacks healthy cells. There is currently no 
cure and existing medications only treat the symptoms whereas ImmuPharma's drug 
candidate has the potential to produce remission of the disease in a substantial 
proportion of patients. 
 
Based on independent forecasts, the value of ImmuPharma's Lupus drug is 
estimated to be "substantial" with peak annual sales forecast to generate in 
excess of $4 billion. 
 
 
Severe pain relief (IPP-102199) 
 
ImmuPharma is developing a potential non-addictive compound for relieving 
moderate to severe pain, such as experienced by cancer sufferers and 
post-surgical patients. Most existing treatments are derived from the opiate 
morphine and tend to have serious side effects. ImmuPharma's new treatment is 
based on met-enkephalin, the body's internal analgesic. IPP-102199 is being 
developed to have major advantages over morphine such as longer pain relief 
duration and reduced side effects. The market for chronic opioids in the US 
currently exceeds $3.5 billion and is growing by more than 10 to 20 per cent a 
year. 
 
 
Antibiotic for MRSA and similar highly resistant infections (IPP-203101) 
 
This is a novel antibiotic to combat MRSA and other severe hospital-acquired, 
resistant infections which affect some two million people in the US, according 
to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ImmuPharma's drug 
candidate is targeted at disrupting the membrane potential of the bacterial 
pathogens. It is hoped this novel approach will reduce their potential to become 
resistant. 
 
 
This information is provided by RNS 
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange 
   END 
 
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