MAO-B

HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 15, 2024. Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals, a science-driven pharmaceutical company focused on the modulation of adenosine signaling, announced today the completion of enrollment of its Phase 2 clinical trial of VG081821AC, a novel adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonist that also functions as an inverse A2AR agonist, for the treatment of early-to-mid stage Parkinson's disease. A total of 150 participants have been enrolled and randomized into one of three cohorts, a high-dose VG081821 group, a low-dose VG081821 group, and a placebo group at a ratio of 1:1:1. The 12-week Phase 2 trial is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to investigate the safety and efficacy of VG081821 as monotherapy in early-to-mid stage PD patients. The primary endpoint was the difference of change from baseline in movement disorder society-unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III (motor symptoms) score between VG081821 and placebo over the 12 weeks of administration. For PD patients, current therapies are mainly dependent on dopamine replacement strategies with L-Dopa (top choice), dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors and COMT inhibitors. These medicines either increase dopamine levels or mimic dopamine function. However, despite L-Dopa's efficacy in reducing the motor symptoms of PD, the onset of motor complications (wearing-off, ON–OFF, dyskinesia) is almost inevitable with long-term treatment. It is a well-known limit of the dopamine replacement therapy. In addition, the current therapies for PD are only symptomatic treatments. These therapies are unable to slow down the progression of PD. As an A2AR antagonist, which works non-dopaminergically, VG081821 has the potential to avoid, decrease or delay motor complications (wearing-off, ON–OFF, dyskinesia) if used early. What's special about VG081821 is that it is not only a highly potent A2A antagonist, but also a highly potent A2A receptor inverse agonist. More than a classical A2A antagonist, VG081821 may have extra therapeutic effect and greater efficacy on motor dysfunction in PD. Furthermore, VG081821 may provide not only symptomatic benefits, but also disease modifying benefits. VG081821 is expected to bring better treatment options and clinical benefits for PD patients. "In most previous trials of A2A antagonists for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, A2A antagonists were used as an add-on treatment to alleviate off episodes in combination with L-Dopa for advanced PD patients. Although it has led to the approval of Istradefylline in US and Japan, it is not the best use of A2A antagonists for PD treatment," stated Sanxing Sun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vimgreen. "VG081821 is to be used as monotherapy for improving movements in early-to-mid stage of PD. Later on, as the disease progresses, it can be used in combination with low doses of L-Dopa. This L-dopa sparing effect may minimize the problem of L-Dopa and prolong the quality of life of PD patients." It is known that A2AR gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are higher for PD patients. In the current Phase 2 trial of VG081821, the A2AR gene expression levels in PBMCs are to be analyzed. The potential correlation between drug efficacy and A2AR expression level may make VG081821 a precision medicine. The Phase 2 trial is to be completed in November. About VG081821AC VG081821AC/VG081821 is a potent, selective antagonist of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) developed by Vimgreen. Adenosine A2A receptors are distributed across basal ganglia, in particular in the striatum, and are believed to be involved in the regulation of motor functions. This makes A2AR an attractive non-dopaminergic target to treat the disease. VG081821 is an innovative A2AR antagonist that is not only a highly potent A2A antagonist, but also a highly potent A2A receptor inverse agonist. It is expected to bring better treatment options and clinical benefits for PD patients. About Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals Vimgreen is a science-driven pharmaceutical company located in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, China. At Vimgreen, the research programs are focused on the modulation of adenosine signaling. Adenosine is a major signaling molecule that is involved in a variety of critical physiological processes via activation of the adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B or A3), including regulation of the nervous system, immune response, vascular function, and metabolism. In recent years, substantial progress has been made to understand the role of adenosine signaling in different pathologies during disease progression. These efforts have identified therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of various diseases, by either replenishing or inhibiting relevant adenosine signaling pathways. Currently Vimgreen has two compounds in clinical development. One is VG081821, an A2AR antagonist for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. The other compound is VG290131, an A3 agonist for the treatment of NASH. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes", "expects", "may", "will", "should", "potential" or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks associated with Vimgreen's ability to execute on its commercial strategy. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. Vimgreen does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals, a science-driven pharmaceutical company focused on the modulation of adenosine signaling, announced today the completion of enrollment of its Phase 2 clinical trial of VG081821AC, a novel adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonist that also functions as an inverse A2AR agonist, for the treatment of early-to-mid stage Parkinson's disease. A total of 150 participants have been enrolled and randomized into one of three cohorts, a high-dose VG081821 group, a low-dose VG081821 group, and a placebo group at a ratio of 1:1:1. The 12-week Phase 2 trial is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to investigate the safety and efficacy of VG081821 as monotherapy in early-to-mid stage PD patients. The primary endpoint was the difference of change from baseline in movement disorder society-unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III (motor symptoms) score between VG081821 and placebo over the 12 weeks of administration. For PD patients, current therapies are mainly dependent on dopamine replacement strategies with L-Dopa (top choice), dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors and COMT inhibitors. These medicines either increase dopamine levels or mimic dopamine function. However, despite L-Dopa's efficacy in reducing the motor symptoms of PD, the onset of motor complications (wearing-off, ON–OFF, dyskinesia) is almost inevitable with long-term treatment. It is a well-known limit of the dopamine replacement therapy. In addition, the current therapies for PD are only symptomatic treatments. These therapies are unable to slow down the progression of PD. As an A2AR antagonist, which works non-dopaminergically, VG081821 has the potential to avoid, decrease or delay motor complications (wearing-off, ON–OFF, dyskinesia) if used early. What's special about VG081821 is that it is not only a highly potent A2A antagonist, but also a highly potent A2A receptor inverse agonist. More than a classical A2A antagonist, VG081821 may have extra therapeutic effect and greater efficacy on motor dysfunction in PD. Furthermore, VG081821 may provide not only symptomatic benefits, but also disease modifying benefits. VG081821 is expected to bring better treatment options and clinical benefits for PD patients. "In most previous trials of A2A antagonists for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, A2A antagonists were used as an add-on treatment to alleviate off episodes in combination with L-Dopa for advanced PD patients. Although it has led to the approval of Istradefylline in US and Japan, it is not the best use of A2A antagonists for PD treatment," stated Sanxing Sun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vimgreen. "VG081821 is to be used as monotherapy for improving movements in early-to-mid stage of PD. Later on, as the disease progresses, it can be used in combination with low doses of L-Dopa. This L-dopa sparing effect may minimize the problem of L-Dopa and prolong the quality of life of PD patients." It is known that A2AR gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are higher for PD patients. In the current Phase 2 trial of VG081821, the A2AR gene expression levels in PBMCs are to be analyzed. The potential correlation between drug efficacy and A2AR expression level may make VG081821 a precision medicine. The Phase 2 trial is to be completed in November. About VG081821AC VG081821AC/VG081821 is a potent, selective antagonist of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) developed by Vimgreen. Adenosine A2A receptors are distributed across basal ganglia, in particular in the striatum, and are believed to be involved in the regulation of motor functions. This makes A2AR an attractive non-dopaminergic target to treat the disease. VG081821 is an innovative A2AR antagonist that is not only a highly potent A2A antagonist, but also a highly potent A2A receptor inverse agonist. It is expected to bring better treatment options and clinical benefits for PD patients. About Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals Vimgreen is a science-driven pharmaceutical company located in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, China. At Vimgreen, the research programs are focused on the modulation of adenosine signaling. Adenosine is a major signaling molecule that is involved in a variety of critical physiological processes via activation of the adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B or A3), including regulation of the nervous system, immune response, vascular function, and metabolism. In recent years, substantial progress has been made to understand the role of adenosine signaling in different pathologies during disease progression. These efforts have identified therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of various diseases, by either replenishing or inhibiting relevant adenosine signaling pathways. Currently Vimgreen has two compounds in clinical development. One is VG081821, an A2AR antagonist for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. The other compound is VG290131, an A3 agonist for the treatment of NASH. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes", "expects", "may", "will", "should", "potential" or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks associated with Vimgreen's ability to execute on its commercial strategy. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. Vimgreen does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE Vimgreen Pharmaceuticals

The merged company will be led by Pharma Two B’s management. Having had to give up on its liver disease ambitions due to a lack of funds, Hepion Pharmaceuticals has decided that its best option is to merge into Israeli biotech Pharma Two B. Despite trying to slash its operating costs in half at the end of last year, Hepion announced in April that it was halting work on a phase 2 trial for its lead cyclophilins inhibitor in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which it attributed to “resource constraints.” Throughout this period, the Nasdaq-listed biotech was exploring “strategic options” and has now made a decision—it will give up on its liver disease ambitions and merge into the privately owned Pharma Two B. The merged entity will carry the Pharma Two B name and list its shares on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “PHTB.” The company will be focused on Pharma Two B’s late-stage asset, a pramipexole-rasagiline fixed-dose combination for Parkinson’s called P2B001. “As we advance P2B001’s development following the successful completion of our phase 3 clinical trial, we believe it is the right time to enter the public equity markets,” Pharma Two B CEO Dan Teleman said in the release. “Our company is in a stage that we believe meets the public market and investors' expectations,” Teleman added. “We are excited about Pharma Two B’s next growth phase, moving P2B001 towards an NDA submission targeted for the first half of 2026 and making this potential treatment available to patients.” John Brancaccio, executive chairman of Hepion’s board, explained in the release that the merger was the culmination of a “review of multiple strategic alternatives to identify paths to provide value to our stockholders.” “We believe the transaction we are announcing today with Pharma Two B presents an excellent opportunity for our shareholders to become a part of a company poised to file an NDA in a therapeutic area with a major unmet medical need,” Brancaccio added. The merger is likely to have a pro-forma equity value of around $58.5 million. The merged company will be led by Pharma Two B’s management, and the release made no mention of whether the Rehovot, Israel-based biotech will retain Hepion’s workforce. Alongside the merger—which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024—Pharma Two B has agreed to sell $11.5 million of its ordinary shares and accompanying series A and B wants to a syndicate of new and existing investors. This money will go towards the development of P2B001 as well as repaying up to $2.9 million of Hepion’s outstanding senior unsecured notes. Once this financing is taken into account, Pharma Two B shareholders will own around 44.5% of the combined company, Hepion’s shareholders will own 7.8% and the remaining 47.7% will be owned by the participating investors. P2B001 combines low doses of the dopamine agonist pramipexole and the monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor rasagiline in an attempt to trigger better safety and efficacy outcomes than either of the approved drugs can achieve as a monotherapy. Pharma Two B’s approach is underpinned by a belief that the drugs have complementary mechanisms of action.