Pleco Therapeutics BV

Orphan Drug Designation Granted to PTX-252 by U.S. FDA for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) PTX-252 (previously referenced as a Plecoid™Agent) is a novel molecular entity developed in collaboration with Pleco Therapeutics 16 January 2024 - Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA (Euronext Brussels: HYL), a specialty biopharma company committed to addressing unmet medical needs through reinventing existing medications, today announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation to PTX-252 for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). This product candidate, developed in collaboration with Pleco Therapeutics BV incorporates a novel molecular entity that is a derivative of a known established molecule and is designed to enhance the responsiveness of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Obtaining an Orphan Drug Designation provides incentives and benefits to encourage the development of treatments for rare diseases. These include financial incentives, market exclusivity and support in navigating regulatory processes. Stijn Van Rompay, Chief Executive Officer of Hyloris, commented: “Securing orphan drug designation for a product candidate incorporating a novel molecular entity, not yet approved by any regulatory agency, underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing the frontiers of scientific discovery within the repurposing space.” Ivo Timmermans, Chief Executive Officer of Pleco Therapeutics, added: "This milestone underscores our commitment to innovative therapies for rare diseases and it brings hope to AML patients who have limited treatment options. Our team is dedicated to advancing this therapy through clinical development as swiftly as possible." AML is a type of heterogenous haematological malignancy that originates from immature white blood cells (blasts) in the bone marrow, which may be derived from either a hematopoietic stem cell or a lineage-specific progenitor cell. AML generally spreads quickly to the bloodstream and can then spread to other parts of the body including lymph nodes, spleen, central nervous system, and testicles. AML is primarily a disease of the adulthood; the median age of newly diagnosed AML patients is around 67 years. Additionally, AML is more common in males. AML can arise de novo or secondarily either due to the progression of other diseases or due to treatment with cytotoxic agents. GlobalData estimates that in 2022, there were 148,351 diagnosed prevalent cases of AML in major markets and expects that the number will increase to 185,323 by 2032. Hyloris is a specialty biopharma company focused on innovating, reinventing, and optimizing existing medications to address important healthcare needs and deliver relevant improvements for patients, healthcare professionals and payors. Hyloris has built a broad, patented portfolio of 17 reformulated and repurposed value-added medicines that have the potential to offer significant advantages over available alternatives. Two products are currently in initial phases of commercialization with partners: Sotalol IV for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, and Maxigesic® IV, a non-opioid post-operative pain treatment. Outside of its core strategic focus, the Company also has 1 approved high barrier generic product launched in the U.S. and 2 high barrier generic product candidates in development. The Company’s development strategy primarily focuses on the FDA’s 505(b)2 regulatory pathway, which is specifically designed for pharmaceuticals for which safety and efficacy of the molecule have already been established. This pathway can reduce the clinical burden required to bring a product to market, and significantly shorten the development timelines and reduce costs and risks. Hyloris is based in Liège, Belgium. For more information, visit www.hyloris.com and follow-us on LinkedIn. Pleco Therapeutics is a clinical stage specialty biopharmaceutical company that aims to improve the survival rate of cancer patients through its novel Plecoid™ therapies that increase the effectiveness of current cancer treatments. As private company, Pleco is headquartered in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, with a U.S. subsidiary, Pleco Therapeutics USA Inc, based in Newark, New York. 1 Datamonitor Healthcare April 2021; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2019; WHO classification of AML, 2016 The content above comes from the network. if any infringement, please contact us to modify.

NIJMEGEN, Netherlands, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pleco Therapeutics BV, a specialty biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments designed to detoxify the cancer micro-environment today announces the final close of its Series A financing, with total funds raised of €17.3 million. The funds will be used to complete development and commercialise the Company's novel lead Plecoid™ Product, PTX-061, to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). The investments include €3.6 million in new equity committed by Oost NL and a select number of private investors, €5m in government funding from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, RVO), and €8.7 million in equity and R&D project financing from Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA (Euronext Brussels: HYL) previously announced in late 2021. In total, at final close, the round exceeds the Company's goal of €15 million. It provides sufficient funds to complete the development of PTX-061's regulatory dossier in AML and to be ready for submission to the FDA and EMA as early as 2024, and to accelerate preclinical work in other indications such as Small-Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Pleco's novel Plecoid™ therapies are patented, innovative treatments that include chelating agents with different characteristics, that have the potential to positively change the balance of protein expression within the cancer microenvironment, removing the burden of toxic metals within the cell, thereby improving the effectiveness of existing chemotherapy. Whilst AML is a relatively rare disease, the effectiveness of current chemotherapy may be limited because the leukaemia cells can become resistant to it over time. The majority of patients will relapse, even after an initial successful treatment. Relapses carry a poor prognosis; most patients no longer respond to treatment and die from anaemia, infection, or multiorgan failure. Worldwide the incidence of AML is estimated to be 350,000 cases per year (4.7 cases per 100,000 population)1. In the US, there was an estimated 20,050 new cases of AML in 2022 and 11,540 deaths2. Pleco's technology provides a platform for the development of a pipeline of therapies. In addition to PTX-061 for AML, the current pipeline includes additional candidates in preclinical testing for the treatment of other rare diseases such as SCLC. Ivo Timmermans, Chief Executive Officer of Pleco Therapeutics, commented: "We are delighted to have secured the funds needed to progress our lead drug candidate through development, for the treatment of AML, a blood cancer that carries a very poor prognosis. We welcome our new shareholders and are grateful for the support from Oost NL and RVO." Pleco's funding from the RVO is the maximum granted under its Innovation Credit scheme that helps entrepreneurs with promising and challenging innovations with excellent market perspective. It provides special funding, a national and international network, and personal advice for innovative start-ups. Pleco recently announced its expansion, with the incorporation of its subsidiary, Pleco Therapeutics USA, Inc., and the appointment of Michael Stalhamer as its President and first US-based employee. Mr Stalhamer also serves on the global leadership team as Vice President (VP) Product Development and Regulatory Affairs. About Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) AML is a type of heterogenous haematological malignancy that originates from immature white blood cells (blasts) in the bone marrow, which may be derived from either a hematopoietic stem cell or a lineage-specific progenitor cell. AML generally spreads quickly to the bloodstream and can then spread to other parts of the body including lymph nodes, spleen, central nervous system, and testicles. AML is an orphan disease and is the most common type of acute leukaemia in adults and is primarily a disease of the adulthood; the median age of newly diagnosed AML patients is around 67 years. Worldwide the incidence of AML is estimated to be 350,000 cases per year (4.7 cases per 100,000 population, Globocan). In the US, there was an estimated 20,050 new cases of AML in 2022 and 11,540 deaths. Additionally, AML is more common in males. AML can arise de novo or secondarily either due to the progression of other diseases or due to treatment with cytotoxic agents. About Pleco Therapeutics Pleco Therapeutics is a clinical stage specialty biopharmaceutical company which aims to extend the life span and enhance the quality of life of patients through its novel Plecoid™ therapies that have been designed to dramatically increase the effectiveness of current cancer treatments. Its novel Plecoid™ therapies have the potential to positively change the balance of protein expression within the cancer microenvironment, removing the burden of toxic metals within the cell, thereby improving the effectiveness of existing chemotherapy. A private company, Pleco is headquartered in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, with a U.S. subsidiary, Pleco Therapeutics USA Inc, based in Newark, New Jersey. For more information visit . Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter [1] Worldwide AML incidence cases, Globocan registry [2] Cancer Stat Facts: Leukemia — Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), SEER, 2022 For more information, please contact: Media Sue Charles, Charles Consultants – [email protected] +44 (0)7968 726585 SOURCE Pleco Therapeutics