TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Jul 20, 2015) — Antibe Therapeutics Inc. (“Antibe” or the “Company”) (TSXV: ATE) is pleased to announce the addition to its product pipeline of ATB-340, a hydrogen sulfide-releasing derivative of aspirin.
After more than 100 years on the market, aspirin remains among the most widely used drugs, with annual sales of ~$2 billion and >6% growth. Originally marketed as a treatment for pain and fever, the uses of aspirin have grown to include prevention of blood clotting in patients at risk of heart attacks and strokes, and prevention of certain types of cancer. The major side effect of aspirin is gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be life-threatening. Aspirin produces its beneficial cardiovascular effects by blocking the activity of an enzyme (called cyclooxygenase, or ‘COX’) that produces substances that promote blood platelets to aggregate (an important part of blood clotting). This effect can be achieved by taking low doses of aspirin on a daily basis. However, even at these low doses, the adverse effects of aspirin in the stomach and intestines are still evident and potentially serious. ATB-340 is being developed with the objective of eliminating these adverse effects.
In pre-clinical studies, ATB-340 has been shown to be at least as potent as aspirin in blocking the COX enzyme and reducing blood clotting. However, while aspirin produced significant stomach and intestinal ulceration and bleeding in rats, ATB-340 did not. In human blood, ATB-340 inhibited platelet aggregation as effectively as aspirin.
Antibe would also like to advise the market that the previously announced validation studies on its lead drug, ATB-346, remain on schedule. These studies, which involve use of radioactively labeled ATB-346, track the metabolism and excretion of the drug. Antibe anticipates results from these studies during the fourth quarter.
In parallel, Antibe continues to investigate additional partnering and growth opportunities.
About Antibe Therapeutics Inc.
Antibe develops safer medicines for pain and inflammation. Antibe’s technology involves linking a hydrogen sulfide-releasing molecule to an existing drug to produce a patented, improved medicine. Antibe’s lead drug ATB-346 targets the global need for a safer drug for chronic pain and inflammation. ATB-352, the second drug in Antibe’s pipeline, targets the urgent global need for a safer, non-addictive analgesic for treating severe acute pain, while ATB-340 is a GI-safe derivative of aspirin. www.antibethera.com
Antibe’s subsidiary, Citagenix Inc. (“Citagenix”), is a leader in the sales and marketing of tissue regenerative products servicing the orthopedic and dental marketplaces. Since its inception in 1997, Citagenix has become an important source of knowledge and experience for bone regeneration in the Canadian medical device industry. Citagenix is active in 15 countries, operating in Canada through its direct sales teams, and internationally via a network of distributor partnerships. www.citagenix.com
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Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements, which may include, but are not limited to, the growth of product sales, engaging new distributors and independent representatives, the completion of financing transactions and the licensing and development of drugs and medical devices. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions “will”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “propose” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this news release. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to secure additional financing, its inability to execute its business strategy and successfully compete in the market, and risks associated with drug and medical device development generally. Antibe Therapeutics Inc. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.
Contact Information
Antibe Therapeutics Inc.
Dan Legault
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +1 416-473-4095
dan.legault@antibethera.com