TORONTO, CANADA--(Marketwired - Oct. 11, 2016) - Arch Biopartners, Inc., (Arch or the Company) (TSX VENTURE:ACH) (OTCBB:FOIFF) announced today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued U.S. Patent 9,464,114 titled, "Peptides that Block Leukocyte Recruitment and Methods of Use".
This is the first patent issued protecting the composition and method of use for Metablok™, the Company's drug candidate targeting inflammation, sepsis and cancer metastasis.
"This patent establishes Metablok as a leading commercial opportunity in the Arch portfolio and provides a clear path for human clinical trials" said Dr. Daniel Muruve, Chief Science Officer of Arch and Professor of Medicine at the University of Calgary.
Management of Arch believes Metablok has the potential to be a major breakthrough in the treatment of diseases where inflammation plays a major role, as well as in sepsis and cancer metastasis. Arch is currently pursuing further clinical development of Metablok and expects to make additional disclosures as milestones toward a human trial are completed over the next few months.
This patent is based on technology invented by Dr. Stephen Robbins, Dr. Donna Senger, Dr. Paul Kubes and Dr. Jennifer Rahn at the University of Calgary who previously assigned the intellectual property of Metablok to Arch.
About MetaBlok
Metablok is a drug candidate in the Arch development pipeline and a potential treatment for inflammation, sepsis and cancer metastasis.
Inflammation :
Inflammation is a localized physical condition that involves the activation of the immune system in response to infection, tissue injury, or autoimmunity. Inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases and contributes to organ dysfunction and failure.
Sepsis:
Sepsis and cancer metastasis represent large unmet medical needs in the world today. Sepsis alone occurs in 1 to 2% of all hospitalizations in the US. It affects at least 700,000 individuals per year.
Sepsis is a serious illness caused by the body's immune response to an infection. White blood cells, or leukocytes, defend the body against toxins and infection. If the immune system activates too many white blood cells to fight the infection, there is a risk of widespread, life threatening inflammation termed "Sepsis".
Sepsis is known to cause organ damage. Blood clotting during sepsis inhibits blood flow to organs and thus reduces their intake of nutrients and oxygen. In severe cases, one or more organs fail. In the worst cases, infection leads to a dangerous drop in blood pressure, called septic shock. This can quickly lead to the failure of several organs such as lungs, kidneys and liver, causing death.
Permanent organ damage can occur in patients who survive sepsis. Under current standard of care, mortality rates are over 20% for sepsis and over 50% for septic shock.
Cancer Metastasis:
Cancer is a life threatening disease because of its ability to spread from its original tumour site to other tissues and organs in the body. This process of metastasis occurs through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Metastasis is of great importance since most of the cancer deaths are caused by spread of the primary cancer to other sites in the body. Recent evidence shows that 60% to 70% of cancer patients have started the metastatic process by the time of diagnosis. Additionally, patients that do not have tumor spread at diagnosis are at risk for metastatic disease. New therapeutic treatments that protect patients against metastasis would be a major breakthrough in the treatment of cancer.
About Arch Biopartners
Arch Biopartners Inc. is focused on the development of innovative technologies that have the potential to make a significant medical or commercial impact. Arch works closely with the scientific community, universities and research institutions to advance and build the value of select preclinical technologies, develop the most promising intellectual property, and create value for its investors.
Arch has established a diverse portfolio that includes AB569, a potential new treatment for antibiotic resistant bacterial infections; Metablok, a potential treatment for sepsis and cancer metastasis; MetaMx, which targets elusive brain tumor initiating cells; and, 'Borg' peptide coatings that increase corrosion resistance and decrease biofilm on various medical grade metals and plastics.
For more information on Arch Biopartners, other public documents Arch has filed on SEDAR and its technologies including, please visit www.archbiopartners.com
The Company currently has 53,849,679 common shares outstanding.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, in this news release are forward looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
