PureTech Health PLC PureTech Announces Novartis Licensing Agreement (4049A)
March 24 2017 - 3:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMPRTC
RNS Number : 4049A
PureTech Health PLC
24 March 2017
24 March 2017
PureTech Health plc
PureTech Health Announces Licensing and Equity Agreement with
Novartis to Advance Clinical Stage mTORC1 Programmes
Programme to initially focus on aging-related disorders
Phase 2b clinical study to commence in 2017
PureTech Health plc (LSE: PRTC), an advanced clinical stage
biopharmaceutical company, today announced a licensing and equity
agreement with Novartis to advance two clinical-stage programmes
targeting the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)
pathway. PureTech Health will develop these new product candidates
in an operating subsidiary, resTORbio, with an initial focus on
diseases related to immunosenescence, an age-related decline in
immune function. A Phase 2b study with these candidates is planned
to commence in 2017.
"Consistent with our strategy of addressing the impairments of
the brain, gut and immune systems, targeting the mTORC1 pathway
offers us a compelling opportunity to address conditions impacting
these adaptive systems," said Joe Bolen, PhD, Chief Scientific
Officer for PureTech Health. "Impairment of adaptive and innate
immune system robustness underlies age-associated immunosenescence.
Inhibition of the mTORC1 pathway has proven to be effective in
re-establishing T-cell composition and function, which in turn can
revitalise immune homeostasis."
Immunosenescence, the age-dependent decline in immune function,
is associated with a decreased ability to fight infections, an
increase in cancer incidence and a decline in organ function in the
elderly. With a rapidly aging population, there is a significant
need to address aging-related diseases and conditions. Inhibition
of the mTOR pathway has been shown to extend lifespan in multiple
species studied including yeast, worms, flies and mammals, and to
potentially ameliorate immunosenescence in aging animals and
humans.
The immune-enhancing potential of mTORC1 inhibitors has been
explored in a Phase 2 programme at Novartis that included two
successful Phase 2a studies in hundreds of elderly patients.
Results will be detailed in an upcoming peer-reviewed publication.
The results of these studies form the foundation for further
clinical development in immunosenescence and other aging-related
diseases by targeting the mTOR pathway.
"Drug discovery and development is a team sport and we are
excited to enter into this agreement with the seasoned leadership
at PureTech Health," said Jay Bradner, M.D., President of the
Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). "We regard the
further development of these compounds by PureTech Health for the
potential treatment of conditions such as immunosenescence, as a
prime example of our continued commitment to work more openly with
innovators beyond our walls to advance projects that have the
potential to help patients lead healthier lives."
"mTORC1 inhibitors could lead us to a new paradigm for treating
several aging-related conditions," said Chen Schor, a PureTech
Senior Executive and the leader of the resTORbio programme. "We
have a robust clinical development plan for the first indication
and plan to explore the programme across multiple aging-related
diseases."
Under the terms of the agreement, PureTech's resTORbio, will
have an exclusive license to two clinical stage programmes for
aging-related indications. Novartis will receive equity in the
resTORbio subsidiary and be eligible for future milestones payments
and royalties based on a portion of net sales. PureTech Health has
allocated approximately $15 million in several tranches to the
development of the programme as it progresses and continues to be
de-risked. PureTech Health is expected to own approximately 58% of
resTORbio on a diluted basis based on the allocation of $15
million. PureTech Health's ownership may be increased over time to
up to approximately 67% through the allocation of an additional $10
million to the programme.[i]
About mTOR
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein
serine/threonine kinase that regulates multiple cell functions,
including cell growth and metabolism, via two complexes: TORC1 and
TORC2. TORC1 inhibition has been found to have many beneficial
effects on aging, while TORC2 inhibition has been associated with
adverse events including hyperglycaemia and hypercholesterolemia.
The mTORC1 inhibitors being developed by PureTech Health
potentially result in selective inhibition of mTORC1 and may
therefore have therapeutic potential to ameliorate multiple
aging-related conditions with a favourable safety profile.
About PureTech Health
PureTech Health (PureTech Health plc, PRTC.L) is a
cross-disciplinary advanced clinical stage biopharmaceutical
company developing novel medicines that modulate the adaptive human
systems. Our therapies target the dysfunctions in the immune,
nervous, and gastro-intestinal systems by addressing the underlying
pathophysiology of disease from a systems perspective rather than
through a single receptor or pathway. We are advancing a rich
pipeline that includes multiple human proof-of-concept studies and
pivotal or registration studies expected to read out over the next
two years. PureTech Health's growing research and development
pipeline has been developed in collaboration with some of the
world's leading scientific experts, who along with PureTech's
experienced team and a stellar board analyse, identify and advance
very selectively the opportunities the Company believes hold the
most promise for patients. This experienced and engaged team and
process place PureTech Health at the forefront of ground-breaking
science and technological innovation and leads the Company between
and beyond existing disciplines. For more information, visit
www.puretechhealth.com or connect with us on Twitter
@puretechh.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains statements that are or may be
forward-looking statements, including statements that relate to the
company's future prospects, developments and strategies. The
forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and
are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results, performance and achievements to differ
materially from current expectations, including, but not limited
to, those risks and uncertainties described in the risk factors
included in the regulatory filings for PureTech Health plc. These
forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding the
present and future business strategies of the company and the
environment in which it will operate in the future. Each
forward-looking statement speaks only as at the date of this press
release. Except as required by law and regulatory requirements,
neither the company nor any other party intends to update or revise
these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
For further information:
Media/ Investors: Allison Mead, PureTech Health
+1 617 651 3156
amead@puretechhealth.com
Ben Atwell, FTI Consulting
Matthew Cole, FTI Consulting
+44 (0) 20 3727 1000
This announcement contains inside
information.
[i]The ownership determination includes issued and outstanding
shares as well as options to purchase shares and written
commitments to issue shares or options, but excludes unallocated
shares authorised to be issued pursuant to equity incentive plans
and any convertible debt.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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