Corporate | 1 December 2009 07:45
4SC AG / Research Update
01.12.2009
Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by
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- A DHODH and Interleukin-17 Inhibitor in Rheumatoid Arthritis and
Inflammatory Bowel Disease -
Planegg-Martinsried, Germany, 1 December, 2009 - 4SC AG (Frankfurt, Prime
Standard: VSC), a drug discovery and development company, today announced
that the European Patent Office has granted patent EP1392642, which covers
its lead auto-immune compound 4SC-101. This small molecule is a DHODH and
IL-17 inhibitor which is currently in Phase II trials in rheumatoid
arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
The patent, entitled 'novel compounds as anti-inflammatory,
immunomodulatory and anti-proliferatory agents' protects the manufacturing,
composition of matter and use in diseases of a novel group of compounds
which inhibit DHODH, including 4SC-101. 4SC has already obtained a patent
for 4SC-101 from the United States Patent and Trademark office, which was
issued in 2006. In addition, patents have been granted in Canada, Russia,
New Zealand, South Africa and Mexico.
Ulrich Dauer, CEO of 4SC, commented: 'We are pleased to have now received a
European patent to cover the composition of matter of our lead auto-immune
compound 4SC-101, in addition to the already granted US patent, securing us
complete protection of exclusivity and freedom to operate. We look forward
to an exciting year in 2010, as we are expecting clinical results for this
small-molecule in an exploratory Phase IIa study in inflammatory bowel
disease, as well as in a Phase IIb study in rheumatoid arthritis, firmly
positioning us in the small-molecule space within these growing
indications.'
- Ends -
About 4SC-101
4SC-101 is a novel, orally administered small molecule that is classified
as a synthetic DMARD as it aims to slow the disease progression of
rheumatoid arthritis. The compound also has broad therapeutic potential in
other autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, multiple
sclerosis and psoriasis. 4SC-101 inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase
(DHODH), which acts as a highly selective inhibitor of the biosynthesis of
pyrimidines, thereby halting the proliferation of rapidly multiplying
cells, in particular of lymphocytes which are involved in the pathology of
autoimmune disorders. 4SC also recently demonstrated in pre-clinical tests
that 4SC-101 inhibits the expression of IL-17, a pro-inflammatory cytokine
that has a pathogenic role in autoimmune disorders.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease that afflicts
0.5 - 1% of the population; women are three times more likely to get
arthritis than men. In the late stage of the disease, irreversible damage
to joint cartilage and bones occurs. Causes of this disease are genetic as
well as autoimmune factors. Besides pain-relieving medicines, so-called
disease-modifying medicines (DMARDs = disease modifying anti-rheumatic
drugs) can be used in treatment. They differ from other groups of drugs
used in the treatment of rheumatoid diseases, since only they are able to
stop or reduce damage caused from chronic inflammation to the joint
cartilage or bone. In the most favourable cases, some DMARDs can also
induce repair of damage to joints and provide support for the repair of
changes that have already occurred. DMARDS can be synthetic small molecules
or antibodies.
About Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of
the gastrointestinal tract. The main forms of IBD are Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis, chronic diseases which are constituted by acute-disease
flare ups and symptom-free phases. IBD patients suffer from abdominal pain,
rectal bleeding, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue and other extra-intestinal
symptoms. Although the causes of IBD are not completely understood, it is
assumed that a disregulated immune response results in inflammatory
mediators, such as IL-17, that attack the patient's intestinal mucosa and
trigger the symptoms. Crohn's disease is characterised by an inflammatory
affliction of part of or the whole digestive tract, while ulcerative
colitis is a disease of the colon and the rectum only. IBD leads to a
considerable reduction in quality of life, but may also involve severe
complications requiring immediate surgery. Current therapeutic options for
patients are largely limited to the use of anti-inflammatory steroids
applied either systemically or locally for the treatment of the symptoms,
as well as biological (anti-TNF-alpha) agents.
About 4SC
4SC AG (ISIN DE0005753818) is a drug discovery and development company
focused on autoimmune and cancer indications. The company currently has
three clinical programs, with three further clinical trials planned to
commence in 2009. 4SC-101, a small molecule, is in a Phase IIb study in
rheumatoid arthritis as well as in a Phase IIa exploratory study in
inflammatory bowel disease. The company's lead oncology compound, 4SC-201,
a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, is in a Phase II trial in
hepatocellular carcinoma and is due to commence a further Phase II trial in
Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009. Drug candidates are developed until
proof-of-concept in order to generate value creating partnerships with the
pharmaceutical industry in return for advance and milestone payments as
well as royalties.
4SC was founded in 1997, has 93 employees, and is listed on the Prime
Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since December 2005.
For further information please visit www.4sc.com.
Legal Note
This document may contain projections or estimates relating to plans and
objectives relating to our future operations, products, or services; future
financial results; or assumptions underlying or relating to any such
statements; each of which constitutes a forward-looking statement subject
to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual
results could differ materially, depending on a number of factors.
For more information please contact
4SC AG
Yvonne Alexander, IR & PR
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 70 07 63 66
MC Services (Europe)
Stefan Riedel
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 21 02 28 40
The Trout Group (USA)
Chad Rubin
Tel.: +1 646 378 2947
01.12.2009 Financial News distributed by DGAP. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de
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Language: English
Company: 4SC AG
Am Klopferspitz 19a
82152 Martinsried
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)89 7007 63-0
Fax: +49 (0)89 7007 63-29
E-mail: public@4sc.com
Internet: www.4sc.de
ISIN: DE0005753818
WKN: 575381
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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