Dermatitis, Atopic

SAN DIEGO and TAICANG, China, March 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Connect Biopharma Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: CNTB) (“Connect Biopharma” or the “Company”), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases through the development of therapies derived from T cell-driven research, today announced that Zheng Wei, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO, and Raúl Collazo, Ph.D., Global Head of Medical Affairs will participate in H.C. Wainwright 2nd Annual Autoimmune & Inflammatory Disease Virtual Conference in a fireside chat on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Please see below for additional details about the event and how to request a one-on-one meeting with management. H.C. Wainwright Autoimmune & Inflammatory Disease Virtual Conference Location: Virtual Format: Fireside chat Date: Thursday, March 28, 2024, 4:00 p.m. EDT Registration and 1x1 Meeting Requests: Click Here About Connect Biopharma Holdings Limited Connect Biopharma is a global, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company applying its expertise in T cell biology and deep knowledge of the drug discovery industry to develop innovative therapies to treat chronic inflammatory diseases with the goal of improving the lives of millions of those affected around the world. The Company is building a rich pipeline of proprietary small molecules and antibodies, using functional T cell assays, to screen and discover potent product candidates against validated immune targets. The Company’s lead product candidate, rademikibart (formerly known as CBP-201), is an antibody designed to target interleukin-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) in development for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma. The Company’s second product candidate, icanbelimod (formerly known as CBP-307), is a modulator of S1P1 T cell receptors and is in development for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). For more information, please visit: Forward-Looking Statements Connect Biopharma cautions that statements included in this release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “predict,” “seek,” “contemplate,” “look forward,” “potential,” “continue” or “project” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include the Company’s plans to advance the development of its product candidates, the timing of achieving any development, regulatory or commercial milestones or reporting data or whether such milestones or data will be achieved or generated, including whether any new drug application will be submitted or accepted and the timing thereof, and the potential of such product candidates, including to achieve any benefit, improvement, differentiation, trend or pro any product approval or be effective. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Connect Biopharma that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual data may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business and other risks described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 11, 2023, and its other reports. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Connect Biopharma undertakes no obligation to revise or update this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Connect Biopharma’s filings with the SEC which are available from the SEC’s website ( ) and on Connect Biopharma’s website ( ) under the heading “Investors.” All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. INVESTOR CONTACT: Tim McCarthy LifeSci Advisors tim@lifesciadvisors.com

210 Patients With Multi-Racial Atopic Dermatitis...Phase 2 Clinical Trial Begins CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Shaperon, Inc. (Kosdaq: 378800), a biotechnology company developing innovative immune drugs, announced the enrollment of the first patient in the Phase 2 clinical trial for Nugel, its therapy for Atopic Dermatitis. This milestone marks the start of a crucial phase in Shaperon’s effort to advance treatment for patients globally. With FDA approval secured for the Global Phase 2 Clinical Trials (IND) of Nugel in September 2023, Shaperon is dedicated to evaluating its efficacy in improving the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) across a diverse cohort of 210 patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. Employing a rigorous double-blind, placebo-controlled methodology, the trial is anticipated to conclude by the first half of 2026. Market research forecasts indicate a robust growth of over 8.7%, projecting the global atopic dermatitis market to reach $19.1 billion by 2030. Presently, patients rely on steroids and FDA-approved medications, yet there remains a pressing need for novel drugs due to their adverse effects and limited efficacy. Of particular note, more than 70% of patients exhibit positive responses to the biomarker discovered during Shaperon's phase 2 clinical trials in Korea, categorized as "A type A atopic patients." This treatment, distinguished by its superior safety and efficacy compared to existing JAK inhibitors or PDE4 inhibitors in the market, has garnered attention at U.S. and European forums. Shaperon has already initiated patent applications for this biomarker, enabling tailored treatments for patients showing exceptional responses to Nugel. Nugel represents a paradigm shift in atopic dermatitis therapy as the world's first inflammation control drug targeting 'GPCR19' action. Its unique mechanism of action, exclusive to immune-related cells, offers minimal side effects while effectively addressing inflammatory pathways. Beyond atopic dermatitis, Nugel holds promise for treating a spectrum of skin conditions, further underscoring its potential impact on global healthcare. Dr. Seung-Yong Seong, CEO of Shaperon, reaffirms Shaperon's commitment to advancing Nugel's global presence and facilitating technology transfer through the Phase 2 clinical trials. Leveraging innovative approaches such as a smartwatch-based AI medication management system demonstrates Shaperon's dedication to optimizing patient outcomes and data reliability. The establishment of Hudson Therapeutics, Shaperon's U.S.-based subsidiary, reinforces its strategic vision for global expansion and technology exports. ABOUT SHAPERON Shaperon is a clinical stage biotech company developing novel inflammasome inhibitors. Its unique mechanism of action of GPCR19-P2X7 modulation suppresses a broad spectrum of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-α by controlling both priming and activation phase of inflammasome, whereas conventional approaches are designed to suppress only the activation phase. With this unique and novel modality which is best suited to address complex immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, Shaperon is currently developing multiple clinical programs in atopic dermatitis, cytokine release syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, Obesity and MASH. ABOUT Hudson Therapeutics Hudson Therapeutics, a US subsidiary of Shaperon, was founded in 2023 to lead global clinical trials and business development of assets from Shaperon. Hudson’s pipeline includes immunology clinical assets in Atopic Dermatitis, Covid-19, Alzheimer’s Disease and preclinical programs focused in Obesity and other indications, combined with their nanobody platform. View source version on businesswire.com: Contacts Ellie Jung (ellie@hudsontherapeutics.com) Source: Shaperon View this news release online at:

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Castle Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTL), a company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care, today announced new data highlighting the value of its IDgenetix pharmacogenomic (PGx) test in guiding medication recommendations for patients with mental health conditions who are 65 and older. The data will be shared via a poster presentation at the 2024 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) Annual Meeting, taking place March 15-18 in Atlanta. “Pharmacogenomics has been increasingly used to identify genetic variations associated with drug response; however, its potential in older adults who are more likely to be on multiple medications and experience adverse drug events has not been fully explored,” said Robert Cook, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and development at Castle Biosciences. “This study found that, despite all patients carrying potentially clinically significant genetic variants, one-third of medication recommendations were due to drug-drug interactions and lifestyle factors provided on the IDgenetix report. This is especially important as real-world evidence shows that polypharmacy, taking five or more prescription medications, occurs in more than half of elderly patients. 1 ” Poster Title: Pharmacogenomic Characteristics and IDgenetix-Guided Medication Management for Older Adults with Depression and Anxiety Presenting Author: Raymond A. Lorenz, Pharm.D., BCPP, Castle Biosciences, Inc. Date and Time: Saturday, March 16, from 5-7 p.m. Eastern Time Location: Grand Ballroom, Hanover Hall and Embassy Hall Exhibition Level at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta IDgenetix is an advanced 3-in-1 PGx test that incorporates genetic information, drug-drug interactions and lifestyle factors to produce a report that can help clinicians select optimal medications for their patients with depression, anxiety and other neuropsychiatric illnesses. The study analyzed gender, age and diagnosis, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia, from a sample of IDgenetix reports for patients 65 and older (n=737). The most common psychiatric diagnoses for which IDgenetix was ordered included depression and anxiety. Additionally, 58% of the patients in the study were on five or more medications, with an average of seven, at the time of testing. All patients in the study had genetic polymorphisms that could impact medication selection in at least three of the 15 genes on the IDgenetix report. While drug-gene interactions accounted for 66% of all medication recommendations, drug-drug interactions and lifestyle factors accounted for 34% (27% and 7%, respectively), demonstrating the value of the IDgenetix 3-in-1 test in providing tailored guidance to help clinicians select the optimal medications for their patients. About IDgenetix IDgenetix is a pharmacogenomic (PGx) test for depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions designed to analyze a patient’s genetic make-up to guide timely and evidence-based decisions on the optimal drug for each patient. IDgenetix is designed to provide important genetic information to clinicians to help guide personalized treatment plans for their patients, with the potential to help patients achieve a faster therapeutic response and improve their chances of remission by identifying appropriate medications more efficiently than the standard of care trial-and-error approach. IDgenetix provides drug-drug and drug-gene interactions and is supported by a published, peer-reviewed randomized controlled trial that demonstrated clinical utility over the standard of care when physicians used IDgenetix prior to prescribing a medication. IDgenetix is currently reimbursed by Medicare for the following eight mental health conditions: major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. About Castle Biosciences Castle Biosciences (Nasdaq: CSTL) is a leading diagnostics company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care. The Company aims to transform disease management by keeping people first: patients, clinicians, employees and investors. Castle’s current portfolio consists of tests for skin cancers, Barrett’s esophagus, mental health conditions and uveal melanoma. Additionally, the Company has active research and development programs for tests in other diseases with high clinical need, including its test in development to help guide systemic therapy selection for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and related conditions. To learn more, please visit www.CastleBiosciences.com and connect with us on LinkedIn , Facebook , X and Instagram . DecisionDx-Melanoma, DecisionDx-CM Seq , DecisionDx-SCC, MyPath Melanoma, DiffDx-Melanoma, TissueCypher, IDgenetix, DecisionDx-UM, DecisionDx-PRAME and DecisionDx-UM Seq are trademarks of Castle Biosciences, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: the potential of pharmacogenomics to affect medication recommendations for older adults; and the value of the IDgenetix 3-in-1 test in providing tailored guidance to help clinicians select the optimal medications for their patients. The words “believe,” “can” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: subsequent study or trial results and findings may contradict earlier study or trial results and findings or may not support the results obtained in these studies, including with respect to the discussion of our tests in this press release; actual application of our tests may not provide the aforementioned benefits to patients; and the risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in our other filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. 1. Wang X, Liu K, Shirai K, et al. Prevalence and trends of polypharmacy in U.S. adults, 1999–2018. Glob Health Res Policy . 2023;8(25). https://doi-org.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/10.1186/s41256-023-00311-4