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KPI Therapeutics Announces Expanded Drug Programs in Eye and Skin Diseases

February 8, 2016 5:00 AM EST

KPI also targets lupus, chronic pain

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KPI Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced it initiated two new research programs to treat such diseases as Atopic Dermatitis, Dry Eye Syndrome, and Uveitis at the BIO CEO & Investment Conference in New York. Using novel peptides from the same family as its lead autoimmune drug dalazatide, KPI will develop topical biologic Kv1.3 inhibitors that target the immune cells which cause these autoimmune diseases. KPI is also currently conducting research in lupus and chronic pain. Dalazatide, another peptide from the ShK platform, is being developed for lupus and other autoimmune diseases.

Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease which results in itching, scratching, redness, scaling, insomnia and loss of skin surface. Current cases worldwide reach over 66 million. Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a chronic lifelong condition. It is caused mainly by autoimmune disease, viral infection, and aging. Nearly 414 million people are affected worldwide.

Both of these research programs, KPI-150 and KPI-190, are already underway. Earlier research within this ShK platform has shown encouraging pre-clinical results as a topical therapy. Administration of the drug to the surface of the eye was well tolerated and resulted in significant penetration into the anterior chamber of the eye.

“The prior clinical success of dalazatide in plaque psoriasis as well as positive data in a variety of autoimmune diseases shows that dalazatide is in fact a rich platform to develop therapies for multiple autoimmune disease targets like lupus and new disease targets like Atopic Dermatitis and Dry Eye Syndrome,” said Chuck Magness, President and CEO of KPI Therapeutics.

About KPI Therapeutics

KPI Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company which develops first-in-class therapies for unmet medical needs in autoimmunity and chronic pain. KPI leads an alliance of development partners under a common purpose to drive focused and efficient drug development. KPI partners include Kineta, Inc., Chimera Biotec, Life Chemicals, MPI Research, Medical Marketing Economics, CoMotion, the University of Washington School of Medicine and the Alliance for Children’s Therapeutics, which includes Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Through its collaborative agreement with Kineta, Inc., KPI is also overseeing portions of the development of dalazatide (systemic autoimmune diseases including lupus) and CSP conopeptides (chronic pain). For more information about KPI, please visit our website: kpitherapeutics.com.

About Dalazatide

Dalazatide (ShK-186) recently completed a Phase 1b clinical trial in plaque psoriasis. It has a novel mechanism of action (MOA). Preclinical and clinical data have shown that dalazatide is a selective and potent blocker of the voltage-gated Kv1.3 potassium channel - a key channel in the activation of effector memory T cells. Effector memory T cells are implicated in the pathology of many autoimmune diseases. Dalazatide was the first specific Kv1.3 inhibitor advanced into human clinical trials. Dalazatide is being studied as a potential therapy for autoimmune diseases including lupus, ANCA Vasculitis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, and asthma. Dalazatide is being developed jointly with Kineta Inc.

About KPI-150

KPI-150 is an analog of dalazatide that also blocks the Kv1.3 channel. KPI is developing this agent as a topical cream for Atopic Dermatitis, psoriasis, and other dermatological complications associated with inflammatory diseases. Chronically activated TEM cells in Atopic Dermatitis are the target of KPI-150. A robust safety database already exists for the KPI compounds.

About KPI-190

KPI-190 is derived from the ShK platform and is being developed as an eye drop for use in several eye diseases including Uveitis and Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). KPI’s drug candidate has demonstrated proof of concept efficacy in models of anterior Uveitis and has good penetration into the anterior chamber when administered topically.

About CSP

KPI’s CSP conopeptide for pain is a novel derivative of a cone snail protein. This is a first-in-class agent with a novel mechanism of action that targets the α9/α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. It is non-opioid and anticipated to be a safer, non-addictive form of pain relief with far fewer side effects. Potential medical applications include chemo-induced breakthrough pain, orthopedic pain and post-surgical pain.

NOTICE: This document contains certain forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding KPI’s plans for future research and development activities. You are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties inherent to KPI’s business which could significantly affect expected results, including without limitation progress of drug development, ability to raise capital to fund drug development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel costs, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and KPI undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the issuance of this press release.

KPI Therapeutics, Inc.
Dan Eramian, 206-518-5566
[email protected]
Senior Vice President Communications and Investor Relations

Source: KPI Therapeutics, Inc.



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