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Cetya Therapeutics Announces Issuance of Third Patent on Largazole Analogs
Patent extends and strengthens largazole analog patent estate with additional
composition of matter claims
Fort Collins, CO, December 14, 2015 – Cetya Therapeutics, Inc. announces the issuance of a third patent to Colorado State University Ventures covering its proprietary portfolio of analogs of the Class I isoform-‐selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor largazole. Claims in US Patent No. 9,186,402 include both field of use and composition of matter on selected analogs. Cetya has in-‐licensed exclusive worldwide rights to the patent estate developed in the laboratory of Dr. Robert M. Williams, University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at CSU. Histone deacetylases are a family of enzymes that catalyze removal of acetyl groups from lysine residues on histone proteins leading to gene repression. Thus, the expression level of genes known to enhance or suppress cancer initiation and progression can be regulated depending on the acetylation state of histones. Three HDAC inhibitors have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of T-‐cell lymphoma and one for treatment of multiple myeloma, validating HDACs as targets for drug development. Dr. Williams and colleagues have developed synthetic processes that provide for the production of numerous largazole analogs. Certain of these analogs have been shown to effectively inhibit HDACs at low nanomolar concentrations, with the ability to include a targeting moiety without significant loss of potency, a capability unique to Cetya. “Largazole is among the most potent HDAC inhibitors known, and we are thrilled to be awarded additional coverage on this unique chemical scaffold,” stated Dr. Williams. The largazole analogs represent an opportunity to develop HDAC inhibitors that may mitigate dose-‐limiting toxicities and serious adverse events that have plagued HDAC inhibitor drug development. Moreover, current HDAC inhibitors in development have shown limited efficacy against solid tumors. Cetya believes its proprietary platform is uniquely positioned to overcome this limitation based on the unique inhibitory activity, improved pharmacokinetic profiles, and novel prodrug structures of our compounds. As a drug class, HDAC inhibitors have been demonstrated to be effective in treating certain cancers and thought leaders in epigenetics believe that this class of compounds may have much broader application in treating hemoglobinopathies, inflammation, cardiopathies, neurological disorders and fibrotic diseases. These indications will be investigated as the preclinical dataset around Cetya’s analogs matures. Clifford L. Hendrick, CEO of Cetya, stated, “Dr. Williams’ ability to modify the structure of largazole at a variety of locations without substantial loss of potency enables Cetya to pursue a number of clinical indications which have not been explored to date with HDAC inhibitors.”
About Cetya Therapeutics Cetya Therapeutics, Inc. is a Delaware C-‐Corporation formed in 2012 to develop histone deacetylase inhibitors based on largazole. Some of these analogs have bifunctional modifications with the potential to target specific cell types or tumors. This is unique in the HDAC inhibitor space and, together with potency and selectivity, differentiates Cetya’s compounds. Cetya holds exclusive worldwide rights to the largazole analog intellectual property created by Dr. Robert M. Williams at Colorado State University. More than 40 largazole analogs have been synthesized, some with best-‐in-‐class profiles as HDAC inhibitors. Biochemical and cell-‐based potency, upregulation of fetal hemoglobin expression and in-‐vivo anti-‐cancer activity have been demonstrated. Cetya is seeking corporate partners to assist in the advancement of its analog portfolio into clinical studies in a number of different therapeutic indications. For more information on Cetya, please visit our website at cetya-‐therapeutics.com. About CSU Ventures CSU Ventures Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that is dedicated to the business of technology transfer and commercialization at Colorado State University, bringing innovations and technologies discovered at CSU into the marketplace for the benefit of society. With expertise in intellectual property, licensing, partnership-‐building, and entrepreneurship, CSU Ventures protects, manages and transfers CSU innovations by connecting individuals and companies with University researchers. CSU Ventures serves as a resource not only to CSU faculty and researchers, but also to industry, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking to further research or commercialize a technology. The work of CSU Ventures results in new products, businesses, and jobs that positively impact economic growth for Colorado and society as a whole. Originally established in 1963 as Colorado State University Research Foundation (CSURF), we are now known as CSU Ventures, a non-‐profit corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of CSURF. For more information on CSU Ventures, please visit our website at www.csuventures.org.