TEL AVIV, Israel, May 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Therapix
Biosciences Ltd. (Nasdaq: TRPX) ("Therapix"), a specialty clinical stage pharmaceutical company specializing in the development
of cannabinoid-based drugs, today announced that it entered into a trial agreement with the Hannover Medical School to conduct a
proof-of-concept Phase II clinical study with its lead compound, THX-TS01, for patients suffering from Tourette Syndrome.
As previously reported, this investigator initiated study, is projected to be initiated during the third quarter of 2017,
subject to receiving necessary regulatory approvals in Germany. The study will be
conducted at Hannover Medical School in Germany under the leadership of principal investigator,
Professor Kirsten Muller-Vahl. The study will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo
controlled cross-over proof-of-concept Phase II clinical study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of up to twice
daily oral THX-TS01 in treating adults with Tourette Syndrome (the "Hannover Study"). Each subject will be randomized to
receive either THX-TS01 or placebo in a 1:1 ratio via oral administration. A total of 20 patients will be evaluated in a
cross-over design. In the first stage, the patients will be randomized to either treatment or placebo and will be treated
for a duration of 13 weeks. Afterwards, the patients will be crossed-over and will be treated for an additional 13 weeks;
patients who initially received placebo will receive treatment and vice versa. The primary endpoint of the Hannover Study
is to evaluate the safety, tolerance and efficacy of THX-TS01. The primary efficacy endpoint will be measured according to
Yale Global Tic Severity Scale Total Tic Score, a widely-accepted index for assessing symptom severity and frequency. In
addition, the effect of THX-TS01 will be evaluated by several secondary endpoints, including additional scales for measuring tics
severity as well as other mental disorders that often accompany Tourette Syndrome, including OCD and ADHD.
"The therapeutic effect of THC in several CNS-related indications has long been established and my lab at Hannover Medical
Schools feels fortunate to have been centrally involved in that research," stated Professor Kirsten
Muller-Vahl, department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy and head of the Tourette outpatient clinic at
Hannover Medical School. Professor Muller-Vahl continued, "This robust study that we are embarking upon with Therapix Biosciences
will assess the potential synergistic effect of THC in combination with PEA, in what my esteemed colleague Professor Raphael Mechoulam coined the 'Entourage Effect' many years ago. We're enthusiastic to be conducting this
study, and optimistic about its findings," concluded Professor Muller-Vahl.
Dr. Elran Haber, Therapix's Chief Executive Officer, stated "We're excited to embark upon the Hannover Study. Hannover
Medical School is well regarded as a center of excellence in this area of research, and Professor Muller-Vahl is a recognized key
opinion leader in both cannabinoid-based therapeutics and Tourette Syndrome." Dr. Haber concluded, "We're optimistic that the
Hannover Study, in conjunction with our currently ongoing study at Yale University, will support
earlier research done with cannabinoid-based therapies and may suggest that THX-TS01 is a safe and efficacious treatment for this
highly debilitating disease with high unmet medical need."
About Therapix Biosciences:
Therapix Biosciences Ltd. is a specialty clinical-stage pharmaceutical company led by an experienced team of senior executives
and scientists, focused on creating and enhancing a portfolio of technologies and assets based on cannabinoid pharmaceuticals.
With this focus, the company is currently engaged in two internal drug development programs based on repurposing an FDA
approved synthetic cannabinoid (dronabinol): THX-TS01 targets to the treatment of Tourette's syndrome; and THX-ULD01
targets the high-value and under-served market of mild cognitive impairments. Please visit our website for more information at
www.therapixbio.com.
About THX-TS01:
THX-TS01 is a combination drug candidate for the treatment of Tourette Syndrome and it is based on two components: (1)
dronabinol, the active ingredient in an FDA approved synthetic analog of tetrahydrocannabinol ("THC"), which is the psychoactive
molecule in the cannabis plant, and (2) Palmitoylethanolamide ("PEA"), which is an endogenous fatty acid amide that belongs to
the class of nuclear factor agonists, which are proteins that regulate the expression of genes. The combination of THC and
PEA may induce a reaction known as the "entourage effect." The basic tenet of the entourage effect is that cannabinoids
work together, or possess synergy, and affect the body in a mechanism similar to the body's own cannabinoid system, which is a
group of molecules and receptors in the brain that mediates the psychoactive effects of cannabis. This entourage effect may
account for the pharmacological actions of PEA. Based on an activity enhancement of other physiological compounds, PEA may
indirectly stimulate the cannabinoid receptors by potentiating their affinity for a receptor or by inhibiting their metabolic
degradation, and by doing so, may increase the uptake of cannabinoid compounds, such as THC. Thus, it is speculated that
the presence of the PEA molecule likely increases the efficacy of orally administered THC, while reducing the required dosage and
decreasing associated deleterious adverse events.
About Tourette Syndrome:
Tourette Syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disorder, characterized by physical (motor) tics and vocal (phonic) tics. Motor
or phonic tics are sudden, brief, intermittent, involuntary or semi-voluntary movements or sounds, respectively. They
typically consist of brief, coordinated, repetitive movements, gestures, or utterances that mimic fragments of normal behavior.
The tics associated with Tourette Syndrome can have significant effects on the academic and social development of children
as well as affecting their overall self-esteem and mental health. Although the majority of children experience a decrease
in their tics during adolescence, the worst symptoms are usually experienced by adults with intractable Tourette Syndrome.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's expectations, beliefs, and intentions.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believe", "expect", "intend", "plan",
"may", "should", "could", "might", "seek", "target", "will", "project", "forecast", "continue" or "anticipate" or their negatives
or variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical
matters. For example, forward-looking statements are used in this press release when we discuss our plans to conduct clinical
studies, the design of such studies and whether they will support earlier research done with cannabinoid-based therapies and
suggest that THX-TS01 is a safe and efficacious treatment. In addition, historic results of scientific research and clinical
trials do not guarantee that the conclusions of future research or trials will suggest identical or even similar conclusions or
that historic results referred to in this press release would not be interpreted differently in light of additional research and
clinical and preclinical trial results. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including,
among others, risks that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those expected by Company management or
otherwise described in or implied by the statements in this press release. Any forward-looking statement in this press release
speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by
any applicable securities laws. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company is contained
under the heading "Risk Factors" in Therapix Biosciences Ltd.'s annual report on Form 20-F dated May 1,
2017 filed with the SEC, which is available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov.
For further information: Investor Contact:
Josh Blacher, CFO, Therapix Biosciences, josh@therapixbio.com
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