Levo Therapeutics, Inc.

ORLANDO, Fla.--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- LEVO Naturals , a leading health and wellness company focused on innovative plant-based products, announced its sponsorship of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s Third International Kratom Symposium , taking place at the University’s Research and Academic Center in southwest Orlando on February 14 and 15. The sponsorship reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to advance scientific research into the therapeutic potential of botanicals to address consumer needs. The Third International Kratom Symposium brings together the world’s most preeminent scholars on Mitragyna speciosa (also known as Kratom), the native leaf grown in southwest Asia, and includes researchers from across academic disciplines including botany, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, clinical study and population health and health policy. Additional attendees include regulators, policymakers and industry leaders to create a truly inclusive and diverse experience. (According to the event’s official website .) “LEVO Naturals has a longstanding commitment to support critical scientific and consumer research into the safe use of kratom products,” said John Clayton , Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for LEVO Naturals. “We are fully supportive of the symposium’s efforts to further the scientific study of kratom and to lead discussions on the important issues of consumer education, quality standards, and regulation for a plant that has the potential to offer a wide range of human benefits to consumers today.” To learn more about the Third International Kratom Symposium, visit its website: https://pharmacy.ufl.edu/third-international-kratom-symposium/ About LEVO Naturals LEVO Naturals is a group of purpose-driven companies harnessing the power of botanicals to enhance overall health and well-being. Blending traditional ingredients, innovation, and cutting-edge science, LEVO Naturals develops and markets a wide range of great-tasting ethnobotanical consumer products, including extracts, capsules, tonics, and leaf powders. Today, the company has over 100 passionate and committed partners located throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Asia, and since inception, its products have been purchased more than 100 million times and are enjoyed by millions of consumers on an annual basis. For more information, please visit https://www.levonaturals.com/ .

CARMEL, Ind., Feb. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MBX Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing Precision Endocrine Peptide™ (PEP™) therapeutics to treat an array of endocrine disorders, today announced the appointment of Steven Ryder, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Rallybio, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Ryder is an accomplished biopharmaceutical executive with over 35 years of global drug development experience and industry leadership. “I am delighted to welcome Steve to our Board of Directors, and we look forward to his leadership as we progress our pipeline of novel therapies for people with rare endocrine disorders,” said Kent Hawryluk, President and Chief Executive Officer of MBX Biosciences. “Steve’s deep experience in global drug development, particularly in rare diseases, will be invaluable as we continue growing the company and advancing our Precision Endocrine Peptide (PEP) platform for patients with hypoparathyroidism, post-bariatric hypoglycemia and obesity.” Dr. Ryder currently serves as Chief Medical Officer of Rallybio, a biotechnology company identifying and accelerating the development of transformative therapies for patients with severe and rare disorders. Prior to Rallybio, Dr. Ryder was the Chief Development Officer at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Before this, he was the founding President of Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc. Prior to Astellas, he served at Pfizer for over 20 years in positions of increasing responsibility, including head of worldwide clinical development. Dr. Ryder is a past-President of the American Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics and has held leadership positions in the Health Section Governing Board, Regulatory Executive Committee for the board of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), and the Science and Regulatory section of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). In addition, Dr. Ryder has served as the industry representative on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Metabolic/Endocrine Drugs Advisory Committee, and has held board positions at Reata Pharmaceuticals and Levo Therapeutics. Dr. Ryder earned his M.D. from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “I am honored to join the MBX Board during this exciting period of growth for the Company,” said Dr. Ryder. “I’m impressed by the significant potential of MBX’s differentiated PEP platform to treat endocrine and metabolic disorders, and look forward to working closely with this experienced team as we advance our promising candidates through the clinic.” About MBX Biosciences MBX Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering Precision Endocrine Peptide™ (PEP™) therapeutic candidates to help people with endocrine disorders live fuller and healthier lives. MBX is advancing a pipeline of PEPs for clinically validated targets designed to deliver superior pharmaceutical properties and overcome key limitations of native peptide therapeutics. MBX’s pipeline includes its lead product candidate MBX 2109, in Phase 2 development for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism (HP), MBX 1416, in Phase 1 development for the treatment of post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) and multiple discovery and pre-clinical candidates in development for the treatment of obesity. The company is supported by leading life science investors including Frazier Life Sciences, New Enterprise Associates, Norwest Venture Partners, OrbiMed, RA Capital Management and Wellington Management. MBX is based in Carmel, Indiana. To learn more, please visit the company website at www.mbxbio.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). Media Contact:Will ZasadnyInizio Evoke Commswill.zasadny@inizioevoke.com619-961-8848 Investor Contact:Irina KofflerLifeSci Advisorsikoffler@lifesciadvisors.com917-734-7387

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAD) today announced the initiation of the Phase 3 COMPASS PWS study evaluating the efficacy and safety of carbetocin nasal spray (ACP-101) for the treatment of hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). PWS is a rare, neurobehavioral genetic disorder that is estimated to affect 8,000 to 10,000 patients in the United States.1-4 The most common symptom is hyperphagia, which is an unrelenting lack of satiety. Other defining features of PWS may include altered metabolism, developmental delays, behavioral challenges and moderate cognitive deficits.5 “Currently there is no FDA-approved treatment for hyperphagia in PWS, which presents serious challenges for those living with this condition and their families,” said Shawn McCandless, M.D., Chair, Department of Genetics and Metabolism, Children’s Hospital Colorado and COMPASS PWS study investigator. “Essentially all experience hyperphagia, feeling a near-constant state of hunger, as though their body is telling them that they are starving, despite being actually well-nourished. As a result, individuals with PWS often exhibit food-seeking behaviors that require constant supervision to prevent life-threatening risks, including gastric rupture, irregular swallowing and choking. I look forward to the outcome of this Phase 3 clinical trial, and the potential of having a treatment option to offer those living with PWS.” COMPASS PWS is a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled global Phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of carbetocin nasal spray 3.2 mg three times daily (TID) in approximately 170 children and adults aged five to 30 years with PWS. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study is change from baseline to week 12 on the hyperphagia questionnaire for clinical trials (HQ-CT) score, a caregiver assessment for hyperphagia-related behaviors. Participants who complete the Phase 3 study will be eligible to enroll in a long-term, open-label extension study designed to investigate the safety and tolerability of long-term treatment with ACP-101. “The launch of the Phase 3 COMPASS PWS trial will build on previous Phase 3 clinical trial experience, where carbetocin nasal spray 3.2 mg was observed to reduce hyperphagia-related behaviors,” said Ponni Subbiah, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Vice President, Global Head of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. “We look forward to working with the Prader-Willi community and clinical research sites as we continue to advance the ACP-101 clinical development program for those living with this debilitating syndrome and their families.” More information about the COMPASS PWS study is available at . About Prader-Willi Syndrome Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare neurobehavioral genetic disorder that affects both males and females.6 PWS is estimated to affect approximately 8,000 to 10,000 patients in the United States.3,4 PWS affects the functioning of the hypothalamus and other aspects of the brain with symptoms varying by individual.5,6 The most common symptom is hyperphagia, which is an unrelenting lack of satiety, to which a deficiency in oxytocin is believed to be contributory.5,7 Individuals living with PWS have fewer oxytocin-producing neurons in the brain.7 Other defining features of the syndrome may include altered metabolism, developmental delays, behavioral challenges and moderate cognitive deficits.3 Patients may also experience high pain tolerance, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory and temperature regulation abnormalities.5,7-9 There is no FDA-approved treatment for the hyperphagia associated with PWS.5 About Carbetocin Nasal Spray (ACP-101) Carbetocin nasal spray is an investigational drug being developed for the treatment of hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Carbetocin has improved drug qualities relative to oxytocin, including an extended half-life and greater specificity for the oxytocin receptor compared to vasopressin receptors which could provide meaningful efficacy with an attractive safety pro patients with PWS.10 For the treatment of PWS specifically, a central nervous system disorder, an intranasal formulation of carbetocin was developed, which provides direct delivery of the drug to the brain, greatly reducing systemic exposure and the potential for side effects. Acadia acquired Levo Therapeutics and worldwide rights to carbetocin nasal spray in June 2022. Carbetocin nasal spray has been granted Orphan Drug, Fast Track, and Rare Pediatric Disease designations by the FDA. About Acadia Pharmaceuticals Acadia is advancing breakthroughs in neuroscience to elevate life. For 30 years we have been working at the forefront of healthcare to bring vital solutions to people who need them most. We developed and commercialized the first and only approved therapies for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis and for the treatment of Rett syndrome. Our clinical-stage development efforts are focused on treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, Prader-Willi syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and neuropsychiatric symptoms in central nervous system disorders. For more information, visit us at and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to statements regarding the timing of future events. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug development, approval and commercialization. For a discussion of these and other factors, please refer to Acadia’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as Acadia’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Acadia undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law. References 1 Burd L, Vesely B, Martsolf J, et al. Prevalence study of Prader-Willi syndrome in North Dakota. Am J Med Genet. 1990;37:97-9. 2 Cassidy SB, Schwartz S, Miller JL, et al. Prader-Willi syndrome. Genetics in Medicine. 2012;14(1). 3 McCandless SE, Suh M, Yin D, et al. SUN-604 U.S. Prevalence & Mortality of Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Population-Based Study of Medical Claims. J Endocr Soc. 2020 May 8;4(Suppl 1):SUN-604. 4 Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. Data on File. PWS Prevalence. 2023. 5 Prader-Willi Syndrome Association. What Is Prader-Willi Syndrome? Retrieved from . Accessed October 24, 2023. 6 Swaab DF, Purba JS, and Hofman MA. Alterations in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and its oxytocin neurons (putative satiety cells) in Prader-Willi syndrome: a study of five cases. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1995;80(2):573-579. 7 Miller JL, Tamura R, Butler MG, et al. Oxytocin treatment in children with Prader-Willi syndrome: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Am J Med Genet A. 2017;173(5):1243-1250. 8 Kayadjanian N, Vrana-Diaz C, Bohonowych J, et al. Characteristics and relationship between hyperphagia, anxiety, behavioral challenges and caregiver burden in Prader-Willi syndrome. PloS ONE. 2021;16(3):e0248739. 9 Butler MG, Theodoro MF, Bittel DC, et al. Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity in Prader-Willi Syndrome. Am J Med Genet A. 2007;143A(5):449-459. 10 Engstrom T, Barth T, Villhardt M. Oxytocin receptor binding and uterotonic activity of carbetocin and its metabolites following enzymatic degradation. Eur J Pharmacol. 1998;355(2-3):203-210.