YONKERS, N.Y., Oct. 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ContraFect Corporation (NASDAQ: CFRX ), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of protein and antibody therapeutics for life-threatening, drug-resistant infectious diseases, today announced that Raymond Schuch, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at ContraFect, will speak at the Targeting Gram-Negative Pathogens track of the Re-entering Antibacterial Discovery and Development Summit, to be held on October 18-20 in Boston, MA.
“We are pleased to be invited to present highlights of ContraFect’s Gram-negative lysin discovery program which targets antibiotic resistant Gram negative bacteria, in particular Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a highly virulent pathogen responsible for significant morbidity and mortality despite currently available treatments,” said Cara Cassino, M.D., EVP of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at ContraFect.
Presentation Details:
Presentation Title: Development of Lysins to Target and Kill Gram-Negative Bacterial Pathogens
Session Day & Time: Friday, October 20, 2017 3:10 PM – 3:40 PM ET
About ContraFect:
ContraFect is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing therapeutic protein and antibody products for life-threatening, drug-resistant infectious diseases, particularly those treated in hospital settings. An estimated 700,000 deaths worldwide each year are attributed to antimicrobial-resistant infections. We intend to address life threatening infections using our therapeutic product candidates from our lysin and monoclonal antibody platforms to target conserved regions of either bacteria or viruses (regions that are not prone to mutation). ContraFect's initial product candidates include new agents to treat antibiotic-resistant infections such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus) and influenza. The Company’s lead lysin, CF-301, is currently being studied in a Phase 2 multicenter, multinational, randomized, controlled clinical trial in patients with Staphylococcal aureus ( Staph aureus ) bacteremia including endocarditis. ContraFect is also conducting research focused on the discovery of lysins to target Gram-negative bacteria.
About Lysins:
Lysins are enzymes derived from naturally occurring bacteriophage, viruses which infect bacteria. When produced in recombinant form and applied to bacteria, lysins cleave a key component in the structure of the bacterial peptidoglycan cell wall which results in rapid killing of the target bacteria. ContraFect’s lead lysin candidate CF-301, has demonstrated a rapid and potent ability to kill Staph aureus bacteria in vitro and in animal studies and is the first compound in this new class of antibacterial agents to enter Phase 2 of clinical development in the United States.
About Gram-negative Infections:
The 2013 CDC report on Antibiotic Resistance Threats identifies several Gram-negative pathogens including Enterobacteriaceae (a family that includes Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp.), P. aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp. as among the most worrisome because of strains that are resistant to all or nearly all available antibiotics. In particular, the CDC classifies Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) as an "Urgent" threat and multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. as "Serious" threats. Bacteria are generally classified as either Gram-positive or Gram-negative based on their staining in the "Gram" strain test. In March, 2017, ContraFect was selected to receive a funding award from the Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) to help accelerate ContraFect's development of lysin therapeutics to treat invasive infections caused by drug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa , a potentially life threatening Gram-negative pathogen.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains, and our officers and representatives may make from time to time, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” “promise” or similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, statements regarding our ability to discover and develop protein and antibody therapeutics for life-threatening, drug-resistant infectious diseases, our ability to address life threatening infections using our therapeutic product candidates from our lysin and monoclonal antibody platforms to target conserved regions of either bacteria or viruses, whether our initial product candidates can treat antibiotic-resistant infections such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staph aureus) and influenza, our ability to discover and develop new lysins targeting antibiotic resistant Gram-negative bacteria, particularly P. aeruginosa, and whether the CARB-X funding will accelerate the discovery and development of those Gram-negative lysins. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on ContraFect’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of its business, future plans, strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond ContraFect’s control, including those detailed in ContraFect's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ include, among others, our ability to develop treatments for drug-resistant infectious diseases. Any forward-looking statement made by ContraFect in this press release is based only on information currently available and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable law, ContraFect expressly disclaims any obligations to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Investor Relations Contact Paul Boni ContraFect Corporation Tel: 914-207-2300 Email: pboni@contrafect.com
