NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achillion
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACHN) today announced that two abstracts have been accepted for poster presentation at
the 58th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Diego, CA, December 3 - 6, 2016.
“The data to be presented at ASH expand Achillion's understanding of complement biology and demonstrate the
potential advantages of inhibition of factor D in treatment of complement-mediated diseases,” said David Apelian, M.D., Ph.D. and
Chief Medical Officer of Achillion Pharmaceuticals. “This and other research recently presented by Achillion scientists highlight
the potential of our approach as we continue to advance ACH-4471, our first small-molecule factor D inhibitor, through clinical
development.”
Upcoming Poster Presentations
The poster titled ‘Evaluation of bacteria-mediated potential “Bystander” hemolysis of PNH red cells in
vitro: No evidence of significant complement classical or lectin pathway-mediated hemolysis induced by microorganisms.’
will be presented by Dr. Xuan Yuan from the laboratory of Dr. Robert Brodsky, Johns Hopkins University, a leading PNH expert. Other
authors on the poster include: Guangwei Yang; Jane A. Thanassi; Manuel D. Galvan; Steven D. Podos and Mingjun Huang of Achillion,
as well as Dr. Brodsky.
This research demonstrated that PNH red cells were not subjected to theoretical “bystander hemolysis” when
incubated with the bacteria tested, suggesting no increased risk of pathogen-induced hemolytic breakthrough in PNH patients if
treated with a complement alternative pathway (AP) inhibitor.
A second poster titled ‘Effect of complement inhibition by anti-C5 (eculizumab) or a small molecule
inhibitor of Factor D (ACH-4471) on survival of meningococci in blood from vaccinated adults’ will be presented by Dr. Dan
M. Granoff, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, a world expert on meningococcal infections. Other authors are Monica Konar and
Eduardo Lujan of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.
Data from this research suggests that vaccination may be more effective in decreasing the risk of meningococcal
disease in the presence of an AP inhibitor as compared to a C5 inhibitor.
All of the 2016 ASH Annual Meeting abstracts can be accessed here:
http://www.hematology.org/Annual-Meeting/
About Achillion Pharmaceuticals
Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHN) is a science-driven, patient-focused company seeking to leverage
its strengths across the continuum from discovery to commercialization in its goal of providing better treatments for people with
serious diseases. The company employs a highly-disciplined discovery and development approach that has allowed it to pursue
best-in-class oral antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C (HCV) and build a platform of potent and specific complement
inhibitors. Achillion is rapidly advancing its efforts to become a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company with a goal of bringing
life-saving medicines to patients with rare diseases. More information is available at http://www.achillion.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Achillion may use words such as “expect,” “anticipate,”
“project,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “believe,” “seek,” “ estimate,” “can,” “focus,” “will,” “look forward,” “goal,” and “may” and
similar expressions to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements also include statements about:
the Company’s expected plans, timing, data readouts and results from ongoing and planned clinical trials of both ACH-4471 and HCV
development candidates being advanced by Janssen under the Company’s collaboration with Janssen; and statements concerning the
Company’s strategic goals, milestone plans, and prospects. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are risks relating to, among other things Achillion’s ability
to: advance the preclinical and clinical development of its complement factor D inhibitors under the timelines it projects in
current and future preclinical studies and clinical trials; obtain and maintain patent protection for its drug candidates and the
freedom to operate under third party intellectual property; demonstrate in any current and future clinical trials the requisite
safety, efficacy and combinability of its drug candidates; obtain and maintain necessary regulatory approvals; establish commercial
manufacturing arrangements; identify, enter into and maintain collaboration agreements with third-parties, including the current
collaboration with Janssen; compete successfully in the markets in which it seeks to develop and commercialize its product
candidates and future products; manage expenses; manage litigation; raise the substantial additional capital needed to achieve its
business objectives; and successfully execute on its business strategies. Furthermore, because Janssen is solely responsible for
the development and commercialization of our HCV assets under the exclusive worldwide license we granted to it and has the deciding
vote on all collaboration matters, Janssen generally has full discretion over all development plans and strategies and may not
advance the HCV programs in the time frames Achillion or Janssen projects, or at all, including with regard to the current and
planned phase 2a and phase 2b combination trials that include our licensed drug candidates. These and other risks are described in
the reports filed by Achillion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016, and its subsequent SEC filings.
In addition, any forward-looking statement in this press release represents Achillion’s views only as of the
date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Achillion disclaims
any duty to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law.
Investors: Glenn Schulman, PharmD, MPH Executive Director, Investor Relations Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Tel. (203) 752-5510 gschulman@achillion.com Media: Liz Power Senior Director, Public Relations Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Tel: (203) 752-5509 lpower@achillion.com
