LAVAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 1, 2015) - ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. (TSX:PLI) (OTCQX:PFSCF), ("ProMetic" or the "Corporation") presented new data at the European Renal Association (ERA) annual meeting in London, UK. The new data confirms that PBI-4050's anti-fibrotic effect demonstrated in the kidney in several different animal models has been successfully reproduced in human kidney cell lines during in vitro experiments.
The data presented at the ERA annual meeting summarizes the effect of PBI-4050 on Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts ("NHDF") and Human Epithelial Proximal Tubule Cells (HK-2) ("human kidney cells") in in vitro experiments designed to simulate fibrosis. PBI-4050 was found to regulate the pro-fibrotic growth factors and the remodeling enzymes in both the NHDF and human kidney cells in the same manner as observed in animals.
"This is very important data because it confirms that the anti-fibrotic mechanism of action of PBI-4050 is similar in humans and in animals", commented Dr. John Moran, Chief Medical Officer of ProMetic. "These results provide further support for our belief that the efficacy of PBI-4050 demonstrated in multiple preclinical models will translate into clinical benefit in patients suffering from fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or chronic kidney disease associated with diabetes".
Dr. Lyne Gagnon, Head of R & D, Preclinical Research at ProMetic confirmed: "Our data correlates the regulation activity of PBI-4050 on key fibrotic biomarkers and the resulting improved kidney function. In fact, we have observed this in all major organs including the pancreas, liver, lungs and heart".
PBI-4050 is currently in phase II clinical trials in patients suffering from IPF, and in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. ProMetic will commence a phase II clinical trial in the second half of 2015 with PBI-4050 in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease associated with diabetes.
The posters presented at the ERA annual meeting can be found on the ProMetic website at:
http://www.prometic.com/en/therapeutics/conferences.php
More on PBI-4050
PBI-4050 is an orally active lead drug candidate with excellent safety and efficacy profiles confirmed in several in vivo experiments targeting fibrosis. Fibrosis is a very complex process by which continuing inflammation causes vital organs to lose their function as normal tissue is replaced by fibrotic scar tissue. The proof of concept data generated to date confirms our lead drug candidates' anti-fibrotic activity in several key organs including the kidneys, the heart, the lungs and the liver.
About ProMetic Life Sciences Inc.
ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. (www.prometic.com) is a long established biopharmaceutical company with globally recognized expertise in bioseparations, plasma-derived therapeutics and small-molecule drug development. ProMetic offers its state of the art technologies for large-scale purification of biologics, drug development, proteomics and the elimination of pathogens to a growing base of industry leaders and uses its own affinity technology that provides for highly efficient extraction and purification of therapeutic proteins from human plasma in order to develop best-in-class therapeutics and orphan drugs. ProMetic is also active in developing its own novel small-molecule therapeutic products targeting unmet medical needs in the field of fibrosis, anemia, neutropenia, cancer and autoimmune diseases/inflammation as well as certain nephropathies. Headquartered in Laval (Canada), ProMetic has R&D facilities in the UK, the U.S. and Canada, manufacturing facilities in the UK and business development activities in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements about ProMetic's objectives, strategies and businesses that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are "forward-looking" because they are based on our current expectations about the markets we operate in and on various estimates and assumptions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements if known or unknown risks affect our business, or if our estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. Such risks and assumptions include, but are not limited to, ProMetic's ability to develop, manufacture, and successfully commercialize value-added pharmaceutical products, the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of ProMetic to take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes in economic conditions. You will find a more detailed assessment of the risks that could cause actual events or results to materially differ from our current expectations in ProMetic's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014, under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties related to ProMetic's business". As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason, unless required by applicable securities laws and regulations. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless indicated otherwise.