European Patent Protection for ALM201 Secured

Almac Discovery Secures European Patent Protection for ALM201

Craigavon, N.I., UK, – 05 October 2015 – Almac Discovery, a research driven oncology company that is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel and innovative approaches to the treatment of cancer, has announced that it has been granted patent protection (Patent Number 2040728) for its novel therapeutic drug, ALM201, in Europe, one of the largest Biopharmaceutical markets in the world.  This adds to patent protection already granted in a further 6 countries – Australia, China, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, strengthening the company’s growing portfolio globally.

ALM201 is a therapeutic peptide derived from FKBPL, a natural protein which has multiple modes of action including anti-angiogenesis, a mechanism that is particularly relevant in ovarian cancer. The ALM201 study was first announced in March when it received approval to dose its first patient and is an open label, phase I dose escalation trial to investigate subcutaneous ALM201 in patients with advanced ovarian cancer and other solid tumors. This represents the first clinical stage program for the UK based company.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) ranks among the top ten diagnosed cancers, the most common type being high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) which accounts for at least 70% of cases. HGSOC represents an area of clear unmet medical need.  Over the past 20 years treatment has progressed very little, with five-year survival figures remaining unchanged for advanced disease.

END

About the Study

The Phase 1 dose-escalation study is designed to assess the safety and tolerability of ALM201 in patients with advanced ovarian cancer or other solid tumors. The study is being led from Queen’s University Belfast and also involves two further sites at Newcastle and Manchester. Prof. Richard Wilson of Queen’s University is the lead investigator. In addition to the primary safety endpoint, secondary endpoints of pharmacokinetics and activity will be evaluated, as well as assessment of a number of tumor biomarkers and markers of ALM201 activity.

About ALM201

ALM201 is a peptide fragment derived from the naturally occurring protein FK506 binding protein-like (FKBP-L). The development of ALM201 builds upon extensive work by Prof. Tracy Robson from the School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, who has shown that FKBPL is a naturally secreted anti-angiogenic protein which inhibits blood vessel development by targeting the cell surface receptor CD44. As well as exhibiting anti-angiogenic activity, Prof. Robson has also demonstrated that ALM201 targets cancer stem cells, providing duel anti-tumour activity to this therapeutic peptide.

About Almac Discovery

Almac Discovery is a research driven oncology company that is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel and innovative approaches to the treatment of cancer. Almac Discovery focuses on the discovery to preclinical stage seeking to partner programs at an early time point with the pharmaceutical industry. Exceptionally the company will undertake clinical development to an early stage before partnering. Almac Discovery is part of the Almac Group.

For more information, please visit almacgroup.com/discovery or e-mail [email protected].