Cryptome acquires option over anti-inflammatory candidate

Cryptome Pharmaceuticals has signed an agreement with the University of Virginia giving the company sole option to an exclusive license over a novel class of protein-derived compounds with potent anti-inflammatory action.

Upon the exercise of the option and finalising terms, the agreement gives Cryptome an exclusive license for the US, the world's largest pharmaceutical market. Cryptome has up to 12 months to exercise the option, but is intending to begin work on the molecule under an MTA (material transfer agreement) in the immediate future.

The lead protein-derived drug-candidate (CR014) prevents 'vascular leak' or the leakage of fluid through blood vessel walls, which is an essential part of the inflammatory reaction. Vascular leak contributes to morbidity and mortality in numerous diseases including adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple sclerosis, trauma, strokes and heart attacks.

The commercial outlook for CR014 is attractive because there are at present no effective therapies for vascular leak on the market, and CR014 works by a mechanism distinct from those of other companies pursuing this major unmet need.

CR014 has shown in vitro that it can prevent vascular leak caused by clinically relevant inflammatory stimulus such as Tumour necrosis factor, as well as agents involved in thrombosis (thrombin) and allergies (histamine).

In addition, CR014 has in vivo efficacy and potency in a mouse-model of ARDS. A single injection of CR014 prevented the major pathological hallmarks of ARDS: leakage of plasma into the lung as well as the cellular infiltrate that accompanies this disease.

ARDS is a life-threatening condition of breathing failure caused by severe fluid build-up in the lungs, and it is a frequent cause of mortality in intensive care units. The syndrome affects over 150,000 people in the United States every year.

The addition of CR014 to its development pipeline will give Cryptome two drug candidates in the inflammation/cardiovascular field, both of which have shown promising activity in preclinical testing in animal models. Its lead product, CR001, has shown promise in animal studies as an anti-thrombosis treatment and pre-clinical disease testing of CR014 is expected to be fast tracked for ARDS and neurological indications.

Dr Vic Ilag, Cryptome's chief scientific officer commented: 'We are delighted to be able to acquire CR014, as not only does it have wide ranging clinical potential but it is also an excellent fit for Cryptome being based on a fragment of a protein and having efficacy in one of our primary disease focus areas of inflammatory/cardiovascular disease. It immediately strengthens our development pipeline and our scientific and clinical expertise in the area will ensure that its clinical development is expedited.'

Professor Mathew Vadas, Cryptome's acting chief executive officer said: 'Cryptome's mission of discovering and bringing protein based drugs to IND status for diseases with significant market potential will be significantly supported by this acquisition.

'With an ever growing innovation gap in big Pharma's pipeline, Cryptome is poised to make a valuable contribution to filling this need with a growing list of novel products.'

The discoverer of CR014, Professor Martin Schwartz, an acknowledged leader in the field of vascular biology, has accepted Cryptome's invitation to join the company as a scientific advisor.

Prof Schwarz noted: 'Cryptome will be the perfect home for CR014. It is a good match for the type of drugs Cryptome seeks to develop and Cryptome has the essential clinical and scientific expertise to make rapid progress in bringing CR014 to the market quickly. I'm delighted that I'll be able to continue to contribute to its development through my role as a scientific advisor to the company.'