TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arch Biopartners, Inc., (Arch or the Company) (TSX-V:ARCH)
(OTCBB:ACHFF) a portfolio-based biotechnology company, today announced CSBio of Menlo Park, California, has started the good
manufacturing practice (GMP) production campaign for Metablok, the Company’s peptide drug candidate for treating inflammation
injury, sepsis and cancer metastasis.
CSBio will be responsible for the GMP synthesis of Metablok which will then be sent for packaging as a clinical intravenous kit
to be used for future Phase I and Phase II human trials.
The first target indication for Metablok is the prevention of acute kidney injury commonly experienced by patients during
cardiac surgery. Currently, there are no specific or effective treatments to prevent acute kidney injury or kidney failure.
“We are pleased to support Arch Biopartners pre-clinical efforts to bring Metablok to the clinic, from our
recently expanded cGMP production facilities in Menlo Park, California. CSBio believes in the potential of Metablok and looks
forward to continued work with Arch Biopartners to prepare these vital clinical studies,” said Brien McDonough, Director of Project
Development at CSBio.
An investigational new drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently being
prepared by the Metablok team for submission in 2018.
Notes for Editors
About Metablok
Metablok is a novel peptide drug candidate in the Arch development pipeline and a potential treatment for inflammation, sepsis
and cancer metastasis
Inflammation and Acute Kidney Injury:
Inflammation is a localized physical condition that involves the activation of the immune system in response to
infection, tissue injury, or autoimmunity. Inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases and plays a significant
role in acute kidney injury. Acute kidney injury due to ischemia/reperfusion occurs in up to 40% of patients undergoing
cardiovascular and other major surgeries.
Sepsis:
Sepsis represents a large unmet medical need in the world today. Sepsis alone occurs in 1 to 2% of all
hospitalizations in the US. It affects at least 700,000 individuals per year.
Sepsis is a serious illness caused by the body’s immune response to an infection. White blood cells, or
leukocytes, defend the body against toxins and infection. If the immune system activates too many white blood cells to fight the
infection, there is a risk of widespread, life threatening inflammation termed “sepsis”.
Sepsis is known to cause organ damage. Blood clotting during sepsis inhibits blood flow to organs and thus
reduces their intake of nutrients and oxygen. In severe cases, one or more organs fail. In the worst cases, infection leads to a
dangerous drop in blood pressure, called septic shock. This can quickly lead to the failure of several organs such as lungs,
kidneys and liver, causing death.
Permanent organ damage can occur in patients who survive sepsis. Under current standard of care, mortality rates
are over 20% for sepsis and over 50% for septic shock.
Cancer Metastasis:
Cancer is a life threatening disease because of its ability to spread from its original tumour site to other
tissues and organs in the body. This process of metastasis occurs through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Metastasis is of great importance since most of the cancer deaths are caused by spread of the primary cancer to
other sites in the body. Recent evidence shows that 60% to 70% of cancer patients have started the metastatic process by the time
of diagnosis. Additionally, patients that do not have tumor spread at diagnosis are at risk for metastatic disease. New therapeutic
treatments that protect patients against metastasis would be a major breakthrough in the treatment of cancer.
About CS Bio:
CSBio is a leading peptide and peptide synthesizer manufacturing company located on the edge of Silicon Valley
in Menlo Park, California. Since 1993, CSBio has been providing high quality custom peptides, cGMP peptides and automated peptide
synthesizers to the global biotech community. CSBio’s peptide products and peptide synthesis equipment can be found in peptide
production laboratories and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
About Arch Biopartners
Arch Biopartners Inc. is focused on the development of innovative technologies that have the potential to make a
significant medical or commercial impact. Arch works closely with the scientific community, universities and research institutions
to advance and build the value of select preclinical technologies, develop the most promising intellectual property, and create
value for its investors.
Arch has established a diverse portfolio that includes AB569, a potential new treatment for antibiotic resistant
bacterial infections; Metablok, a potential treatment for inflammation, sepsis and cancer metastasis; MetaMx, which targets elusive
brain tumor initiating cells; and, ‘Borg’ peptide coatings that increase corrosion resistance and decrease biofilm on various
medical grade metals and plastics.
For more information on Arch Biopartners, its technologies and other public documents Arch has filed on SEDAR ,
please visit www.archbiopartners.com
The Company has 56,549,679 common shares outstanding.
For more information, please contact:
Richard Muruve
Chief Executive Officer
Arch Biopartners, Inc.
647-428-7031
info@archbiopartners.com
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, in this news release are forward looking statements
that involve various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives
of the Company. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements
are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by
this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management’s estimates
or opinions change.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of
the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
