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Acquisition expands MicroDose's portfolio of proprietary products.
MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J.(BUSINESS WIRE)
MicroDose
Therapeutx Inc. (formerly MicroDose Technologies) today announced
that it has acquired a portfolio of compounds for the potential
treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from ViroPharma
Incorporated (Exton, PA). The lead investigational compound in the
portfolio is an inhalable small molecule fusion inhibitor, now called
MDT-637. This highly potent compound has demonstrated antiviral activity
in preclinical studies in both prophylaxis and treatment, and was
generally well tolerated in multiple adult volunteer Phase I studies.
MicroDose plans to develop the newly acquired compound in dry powder
format for inhalation via MicroDose's novel dry powder inhaler (DPI).
RSV is a highly contagious virus that is a major health threat to
several high-risk populations and, with no effective treatments
presently available, represents a major unmet medical need. RSV infects
over 90% of children worldwide during the first two years of life and
causes considerable morbidity and mortality in premature infants, the
immuno-compromised, the elderly, and individuals with asthma and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Commenting on the acquisition, Anand Gumaste, President & CEO of
MicroDose said, Earlier this year we announced that we would be
expanding our mission by developing proprietary products that address
large market opportunities and are enabled by our game-changing drug
delivery technologies. The acquisition of ViroPharma's portfolio is a
perfect fit with this strategy, as it leverages our next generation
inhaler platform as well as our experience in respiratory product
development to address a large unmet need in RSV disease.?
The unique capabilities of the MicroDose inhaler are ideal for the
delivery of MDT-637 as it can realize the molecule's broadest potential
across the range of populations from pediatric to the elderly, groups
not well served by today's DPIs. The potential for both treatment and
prevention across this spectrum of patients, combined with non-invasive
inhaled delivery to the site of infection, could greatly expand this
market,? explains Scott Fleming, MicroDose's Sr. Vice President, Sales &
Marketing.
About RSV disease
RSV is a pathogen that attacks the human respiratory tract. There are
currently no treatment options approved in the U.S. for this virus among
the infant, pediatric, and adult populations that are susceptible to it.
The February 2009 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine stated
that RSV is associated with substantial morbidity in US children in
both the inpatient and outpatient settings and..... its control is a
worldwide priority.? Globally, the annual death rate from RSV is
estimated at 160,000 and the clinical burden of RSV infection is
comparable to that of influenza. The market opportunity for treatments
addressing RSV is significant and growing. MedImmune's monoclonal
antibody, Synagis, an intramuscular injection approved only
for prophylactic use against RSV in premature infants, has annual
worldwide sales in excess of $1 billion.
About MDT-637
MDT-637 is a clinical stage product that has been shown to effectively
block RSV infection both in vitro and in the cotton rat, which is the
accepted animal model for RSV infection. MDT-637 acts by targeting the
viral fusion protein, which is the only validated target for RSV
treatments. The compound is inhaled, which allows for rapid delivery to
the site of virus infection, the lungs, and has been shown to be safe
and well tolerated in multiple human safety trials. Results from animal
studies indicate that MDT-637 could find use as both a preventative and
a treatment of RSV infection. MDT-637 will be formulated for pulmonary
delivery via MicroDose's proprietary dry powder inhaler.
About MicroDose
Therapeutx
MicroDose Therapeutx is a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical
company dedicated to improving the quality of life for people suffering
from serious diseases. The company focuses on developing proprietary
products that address large unmet market opportunities, and on drug
delivery platforms for the pulmonary, oral, and transdermal delivery of
medications. The company develops its products and technologies
independently, as well as in partnership with leading pharmaceutical
companies. MicroDose's products and platforms currently target
respiratory disease states such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as
diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. More can be found at our
website; www.mdtx.com.
MicroDose Therapeutx Inc.
Scott
Fleming, 732-355-2114
Senior V.P., Sales & Marketing
sfleming@mdtx.com
or
Ex
Machina D x M
Judith Fleischer, 908-469-0554
jfleischer@exmachinadxm.com
Source: MicroDose Therapeutx Inc.
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