FREDERICK, Md., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Arisyn Therapeutics Inc. (Arisyn) announced today day that it has successfully acquired from UAF Technologies and Research, L.L.C. (UTR) a series of highly novel small molecule inhibitors with a well-defined preclinical efficacy spectrum against a variety of infectious organisms and cancer. Under the terms of the assignment, Arisyn will assume the intellectual property portfolio. In return, UTR will receive a cash assignment fee, cash payments on the achievement of certain defined milestones and royalties on future sales of derivative drugs.
The assets involved in the transaction include molecules originally developed by The Proctor and Gamble Company, which were donated in 2003 to UTR for research at the University of Arizona. The therapeutic agents which constitute the portfolio target the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV), influenza virus, herpes viruses, and also include broad based inhibitors of cancer. Lead compounds from the series for HIV and cancer have already been tested in Phase 1 human clinical trials, while a lead inhibitor of HCV has progressed to the submission of an IND application with the FDA. The compounds inhibit virus replication by a highly unique mechanism of action involving inhibition of viral RNA transcription and have been found to be safe in extensive toxicological evaluations.
“These novel inhibitors form the basis of a new strategy to treat infectious disease by targeting a critical viral replication pathway within the infected cell and turning off the production of progeny infectious virus. The therapeutic agents should be highly effective additions to the combination therapy regimens currently used to treat infectious disease and of immense benefit to the millions of individuals chronically infected with organisms such as HIV and HCV,” noted Robert W. Buckheit, Jr., Ph.D., Director of Research and Development for Arisyn. “The compounds have proven efficacy and safety in preclinical studies and have shown significant promise to progress to Phase 1 human clinical trials for the treatment of HIV and cancer.”
The continued preclinical and clinical development of the compound portfolio will be performed by ImQuest BioSciences, a Contract Research Organization located in Frederick, MD specializing in the development of drugs for the treatment of infectious disease and cancer. ImQuest will perform necessary preclinical and clinical studies and manage the evaluation of Arisyn’s compounds in human clinical trials, as well as assist Arisyn with the discovery of next generation inhibitors of the novel therapeutic targets.
Bo Statham, UTR Manager, said he is very pleased that this promising technology has been assigned to Arisyn, a company that will focus exclusively on the development of these drugs.
About UTR
UTR is a limited liability company that was established to benefit the University of Arizona in the development of patents and other technology and to license or otherwise transfer such intellectual property to third parties.
About Arisyn Therapeutics Inc.
Arisyn Therapeutics Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the clinical development of small molecule therapeutics for infectious diseases and cancer. Arisyn’s strategy is to develop novel inhibitors with unique mechanisms of action for chronic diseases without effective therapeutic options such as HIV, hepatitis, and cancer. Arisyn Therapeutics Inc. is based in Frederick, Maryland and is on the web at http://www.arisyn.com/.
About ImQuest BioSciences, Inc.
ImQuest BioSciences, a privately held U.S. company located in Frederick, Maryland is a leading provider of anti-infective therapeutic and microbicide development and anti-cancer services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. ImQuest has broad based capabilities to assist companies with the discovery and preclinical development of new therapeutics, vaccines and preventatives, as well as the management of IND-directed programs for the evaluation of active products in human clinical trials. ImQuest is on the web at http://www.imquest.com/.
For further information regarding this press release, please contact: Robert W. Buckheit, Jr., Ph.D. Director of Research and Development Arisyn Therapeutics Inc. (301) 644-3921 [email protected] Bo Statham [email protected] (520) 519-9300
Arisyn Therapeutics Inc.
CONTACT: Robert W. Buckheit, Jr., Ph.D., Director of Research andDevelopment of Arisyn Therapeutics Inc., +1-301-644-3921,[email protected]; or Bo Statham of UTR, +1-520-519-9300,[email protected]
Web site: http://www.arisyn.com/http://www.imquest.com/
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