Lenomorelin

AUSTIN, Texas, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumos Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:LUMO), a biopharmaceutical company advancing an oral therapeutic candidate for Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency (PGHD) through Phase 2 clinical trials, announced that on Thursday, March 14, 2024, the Company received a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) for claims in its patent application number PCT/US22/050700 titled “Compactable Oral Formulations of Ibutamoren.” This patent contains claims directed to certain improved formulations of LUM-201 the Company intends to utilize in its Phase 3 trial and ultimately commercialize. This grant of this novel formulation patent extends intellectual property protection through November 2042 for these improved versions of LUM-201 drug product. “We are excited to announce that LUM-201 has been granted a novel formulation patent by the USPTO, which is enabled by unique properties of this molecule achieved through our improved manufacturing processes,” said Rick Hawkins, Lumos Pharma’s Chairman and CEO. “Importantly, this new patent extends our exclusivity of LUM-201 through 2042, surpassing our current method of use patent expiration in 2036. This novel formulation of LUM-201 permits a capsule with mini-tablets, which should reduce dose variance and enable easier administration for younger children. We intend to employ this formulation in our upcoming Phase 3 trial evaluating oral LUM-201 in moderate pediatric growth hormone deficiency (PGHD) expected to start in Q4 2024, and eventually in the commercial setting following potential regulatory approval of LUM-201.” About LUM-201 LUM-201 (ibutamoren) is an orally administered small molecule that promotes the secretion (secretagogue) of Growth Hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland.1 LUM-201 acts as an agonist of the GH Secretagogue Receptor to stimulate GH release and to suppress the release of somatostatin.2 LUM-201 has been observed to increase the amplitude of endogenous pulsatile GH secretion in humans, which mimics the natural pattern of GH secretion. 3,4 This therapeutic candidate has been studied in more than 1,300 patients, both adult and pediatric, and was generally well tolerated with the most commonly reported adverse events being digestive systems events, including appetite increase. Mild elevations in liver enzymes without accompanying changes in bilirubin were also reported. LUM-201 has received Orphan Drug Designation in both the US and EU. About Lumos Pharma Lumos Pharma, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics for rare diseases. The Company was founded and is led by a management team with longstanding experience in rare disease drug development. Lumos Pharma’s lead therapeutic candidate, LUM-201, is a novel, oral growth hormone (GH) secretagogue, seeking to transform the ~$4.7B global GH market from injectable to oral therapy. LUM-201 is currently being evaluated in multiple Phase 2 clinical studies in Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency (PGHD) and has received Orphan Drug Designation in both the US and EU. For more information, please visit https://lumos-pharma.com/. 1 Patchett A.A., et al. Design and Biological Activities of L-163,191 (MK-0677): A Potent, Orally Active Growth Hormone Secretagogue, Proc Natl Acad Sci, 1995, 92:7001-7005. 2 Howard A.D., et al. A Receptor in Pituitary and Hypothalamus that Functions in Growth Hormone Release, Science, 1996, 273:974-977. 3 Nass R., et al. Effects of an Oral Ghrelin Mimetic on Body Composition and Clinical Outcomes in Healthy Older Adults, Ann Intern Med, 2008, 149:601-611. 4 Chapman I.M., et al. Oral Administration of Growth Hormone (GH) Releasing Peptide-Mimetic MK-677 Stimulates the GH/Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Axis in Selected GH-Deficient Adults, J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1997, 82(10):3455-3463. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements of Lumos Pharma, Inc. that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All such statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A law that, in part, gives us the opportunity to share our outlook for the future without fear of litigation if it turns out our predictions were not correct. We are passionate about our business - including LUM-201 and the potential it may have to help patients in the clinic. This passion feeds our optimism that our efforts will be successful and bring about meaningful change for patients. Please keep in mind that actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by using words such as “projected,” "upcoming," "will," “would,” “should,” "plan," “intend,” "anticipate," "approximate," "expect," “potential,” “imminent,” and similar references to future periods or the negative of these terms. Not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding the advancement of oral LUM-201 to Phase 3, the potential for LUM-201 to be the first oral therapeutic for PGHD, and any other statements other than statements of historical fact. We wish we were able to predict the future with 100% accuracy, but that just is not possible. Our forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. You should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements and, to help you make your own risk determinations, we have provided an extensive discussion of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements including risks related to the continued analysis of data from our LUM-201 Trials, the timing and outcome of our future interactions with regulatory authorities including our end of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA, the timing and ability of Lumos to raise additional equity capital as needed to fund our Phase 3 Trial, our ability to project future cash utilization and reserves needed for contingent future liabilities and business operations, the ability to structure our Phase 3 trial in an effective and timely manner, the ability to successfully develop our product candidate, the effects of pandemics, other widespread health problems or military conflicts including the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the Middle East conflict and other risks could cause actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements including information in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in Lumos Pharma’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as other reports filed with the SEC including our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. All of these documents are available on our website. Before making any decisions concerning our stock, you should read and understand those documents. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. We may choose to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, however, we disclaim any obligation to do so. As a result, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Investor & Media Contact: Lisa MillerLumos Pharma Investor Relations512-792-5454ir@lumos-pharma.com Source: Lumos Pharma, Inc.

Highlights progress, recent developments and upcoming key milestonesCompany continues to build growing body of data across pipeline, advancing towards first in human studiesStrong financial position with cash projected to fund operations and advancement of priority pipeline programs into 2025 TORONTO, ONTARIO, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZS) (“Aeterna” or the “Company”), a specialty biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing a diversified portfolio of pharmaceutical and diagnostic products, today provided an update on its therapeutic and diagnostic development pipeline programs and outlined upcoming key milestones. “We are encouraged by our significant progress across all of our active development programs, and based on the prioritization of our pipeline, have strengthened our focus on our diagnostic and therapeutic programs as we execute on key decision points,” commented Dr. Klaus Paulini, Chief Executive Officer of Aeterna. “Additionally, in our ongoing DETECT clinical trial, we are making significant progress regarding patient recruitment and believe we are well-positioned to continue building momentum towards completion of the study by year’s end. Further, based upon our active outreach and discussions, we expect to secure an alternate development and commercialization partner for Macrilen® for the U.S. and Canada.” Therapeutics Development Pipeline Update Autoimmunity Modifying ("AIM") Biologicals: Targeted, highly specific autoimmunity modifying fusion proteins for the potential treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder ("NMOSD") and Parkinson's disease (“PD”) AIM Biologicals represent a unique platform technology with the potential to address the cause and not only the symptoms of auto-immune and inflammatory, neurodegenerative disorders at early stages. This approach is based on induction of selective and highly target-specific immune de-sensibilization based on the natural concept of feto-maternal tolerance. Dr. Paulini added, “We have received encouraging feedback from our collaborator and scientific advisor on the NMOSD indication, Dr. Michael Levy, Research Director of the Division of Neuroimmunology & Neuroinfectious Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Levy shares our vision that presenting antigens on soluble HLA-G fusion proteins is a promising, novel approach to induce antigen specific immune tolerance among NMOSD and PD patients. Together, we look forward to furthering the development of this program.” Recent Highlights Demonstrated positive pre-clinical proof-of-concept in various in-vitro and in-vivo models.In-depth profiling of a limited set of candidates for potential use in clinical development.Confirmed AIM Biologicals’ mechanism of action and efficacy in ex-vivo studies in human blood samples from both NMOSD and PD patients. Next Steps Evaluation of manufacturing strategy and initiation of production of selected development candidates.Ongoing compilation of a comprehensive pre-clinical data package for scientific advice meetings with regulatory authorities, expected to take place in the near future. Delayed Clearance Parathyroid Hormone ("DC-PTH", AEZS-150) Fusion Proteins: Potential treatment for chronic hypoparathyroidism AEZS-150 is a fusion protein of PTH [1-34] coupled to a modified human growth-hormone binding protein (GHBP). Preclinical results so far indicate the potential for maintaining regular calcium and phosphate levels in blood longer and more consistently than with current treatments. This project aims to address this debilitating orphan disease, which is currently without satisfactory treatment options, with weekly instead of daily injections. “There is a major unmet need for physiological parathyroid hormone replacement in patients with hypoparathyroidism, either congenital or acquired from neck surgery, who have an impaired quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality on current therapy. DC-PTH will address this unmet need,” commented Prof. Richard Ross, MD, FRCP, Department of Oncology and Metabolism at Sheffield University (UK). “Aeterna has made great progress in the manufacturing process development of AEZS-150 and repeating validation studies in models of hypoparathyroidism required before undertaking trials in patients.” Recent Highlights Detailed profiling of AEZS-150 through in-vitro studies and in-vivo models of hypoparathyroidism.Established a master cell bank for a cell line expressing AEZS-150 in good yield.Continued progress in the development of a production process suitable for larger scale GMP manufacturing. Next Steps Meet with regulatory authorities to determine the development path forward; Company expects such a meeting in Q4/2023, and as outcome, an abbreviated safety and toxicology program as the active principle ([1-34]-PTH fragment) is already approved and in use.Initiate IND-enabling preclinical studies in 2024. Macimorelin Therapeutic (AEZS-130): Ghrelin agonist in development for the treatment of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating and deadly orphan disease, and those who suffer from this terminal condition have few treatment options. Macimorelin’s (AEZS-130) multiple modes of action should have the potential to improve the quality of life for these patients. Recent Highlights Successful development of an alternative formulation suitable for use in ALS.Accumulating data for positive effects of AEZS-130 treatment on survival of motor-neurons.Continued assessment of AEZS-130 in transgenic mouse ALS models and in human patient-derived neuron cultures.Completion of initial toxicology and safety studies to support clinical development as a therapeutic, in addition to the already existing body of safety and toxicology data from our macimorelin diagnostic development. Next Steps Following achievement of proof-of-concept, the Company will seek to have a scientific advice meeting with regulatory authorities to discuss program development next steps.Completion of toxicology and safety studies to support treatment over prolonged periods. Diagnostics Development and Commercialization Update Macimorelin Diagnostic: Approved and commercialized as test for adult growth hormone deficiency and in clinical Phase 3 development for childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency ("CGHD") testing. Aeterna is currently conducting its pivotal Phase 3 safety and efficacy study AEZS-130-P02 (the “DETECT-trial”) evaluating macimorelin for the diagnosis of Childhood Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency (“CGHD”). Most clinical sites in the U.S. as well as European countries are open for patient recruitment. Recent Highlights Phase 3 Study: Significant progress made with DETECT patient recruitment also by engagement of an additional Clinical Research Organization (CRO). Currently three new countries (Armenia, Slovakia, and Turkey), have ongoing DETECT clinical trial application activities and almost half the foreseen subjects have meanwhile concluded the trial.Macimorelin Commercialization: Having regained full rights to Macrilen® for the U.S. and Canada from Novo Nordisk in May 2023, the Company is actively focused on identifying an alternate development and commercialization partner for Macrilen® for U.S. and Canada. “We continue to manage our cash responsibly with a balanced de-risked development approach, which we believe enables us to optimize the Company's capital and human resources,” added Giuliano La Fratta, Chief Financial Officer of Aeterna. “We remain focused on advancing our programs to their next phase of development, guided by the data and financial risk/reward as we do so. Based on our current projections, we believe the Company has the ability to meet its currently anticipated cash needs into 2025.” About Aeterna Zentaris Inc. Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing a diversified portfolio of pharmaceutical and diagnostic products focused on areas of significant unmet medical need. The Company's lead product, macimorelin (Macrilen®; Ghryvelin™), is the first and only U.S. FDA and European Commission approved oral test indicated for the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD). The Company is leveraging the clinical success and compelling safety profile of macimorelin to develop it for the diagnosis of childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (CGHD), an area of significant unmet need. Aeterna Zentaris is dedicated to the development of its therapeutic asset and has established a pre-clinical development pipeline to potentially address unmet medical needs across a number of indications, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), Parkinson's disease (PD), hypoparathyroidism and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig's disease). For more information, please visit www.zentaris.com and connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. and Canadian securities legislation and regulations, and such statements are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provision of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "aiming", "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "potential," "possible," and similar expressions. Such statements, based as they are on current expectations of management, inherently involve numerous risks, uncertainty and assumptions, known and unknown, many of which are beyond our control. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, those relating to Aeterna's expectations regarding: its preclinical and clinical studies, its ability to secure regulatory approvals for Macrilen™, its efforts to obtain a development and commercialization partner for Macrilen™ in the U.S. and Canada and the ability to meet its currently anticipated cash needs into 2025. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements stated herein to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, our reliance on the success of the DETECT clinical trial in the European Union and U.S. for Macrilen™ (macimorelin) in CGHD; results from our ongoing or planned pre-clinical studies and our DETECT clinical trial under development may not be successful or may not support advancing the product further in pre-clinical studies, to human clinical trials or regulatory approval; our ability to raise capital and obtain financing to continue our currently planned operations; our now heavy dependence on the success of Macrilen™ (macimorelin) and related out-licensing arrangements and the continued availability of funds and resources to successfully commercialize the product; the global instability due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 and the war in the Ukraine, and their unknown potential effect on our planned operations; our ability to enter into out-licensing, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution agreements with other pharmaceutical companies and keep such agreements in effect; and our ability to continue to list our common shares on the NASDAQ. Investors should consult our quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties, including those risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 20-F and annual information form, under the caption "Risk Factors". Given the uncertainties and risk factors, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, unless required to do so by a governmental authority or applicable law. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Toronto Stock Exchange accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Investor Contact: Jenene ThomasJTC TeamT (US): +1 (833) 475-8247E: aezs@jtcir.com