Hoersholm – July 12th, 2010: 7TM Pharma today announced positive preclinical Positron Emission Tomography (PET) data in non human primates with their proprietary drug candidate TM38837, which was discovered at 7TM
Pharma and is being developed for treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes and related metabolic
disorders. In line with a full range of other experiments, the data clearly demonstrate the principle
feature of this first in class compound, namely that it is peripherally restricted. A direct
comparison between TM38837 and rimonabant, a brain penetrant CB1 receptor antagonist,
importantly exhibited a clear difference between their propensities to cross the blood brain barrier
in favor of TM38837.
TM38837 is a first in class, peripheral CB1 receptor antagonist. It was designed to avoid the risk of
psychiatric side effects through its restriction to peripherally located CB1 receptors in the body.
This approach is in contrast to the first generation CB1 receptor antagonists, which also targeted
CB1 receptors within the central nervous system. Although clinically effective, these had an
unfavorable psychiatric side effect profile including depression and anxiety.
Christian E. Elling, Vice President, commented: “Our first in class peripheral CB1 antagonist
TM38837 continues to return very promising distribution data, validating that it is restricted to CB1
receptors outside the CNS, at what have been demonstrated to be relevant efficacious doses in
various models of obesity and type 2 diabetes. These results have encouraged us to move
TM38837 forward in clinical development. We intend to partner the program during clinical
development to further accelerate the program to the benefit of the growing number of obese and
diabetic patients requiring safe and effective medicines”.
7TM Pharma
Contact person:
Christian E. Elling, VP
Tel: +45 3925 7777
Email: cee@7tm.com
July 12th, 2010
Fremtidsvej 3 DK-2970 Hørsholm Denmark
Tel. +45 39 25 77 77 Fax. +45 39 25 77 76
About TM38837
TM38837 is a small molecule CB1 receptor antagonist discovered and developed by 7TM Pharma.
Beyond a clinical development enabling program, TM38837 has completed a broad spectrum of in
vivo studies supporting the thesis of peripheral restriction whilst maintaining efficacy in a range of
models of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
About obesity and related metabolic diseases
Obesity and related metabolic diseases are considered to be a major health problem and challenge
to the industrialized world. Obesity significantly increases the risk of diseases such as
cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes and involves significant costs to healthcare budgets.
According to the WHO, there are more than 400 million clinically obese people worldwide – i.e.
people with a BMI of more than 30 kg/m2 – and the number is growing fast. In spite of this, there
are only few currently available therapies for obesity. These drugs have a limited effect and
significant side effects and there is consequently a large, unmet need for new and better therapies.
About 7TM Pharma
7TM Pharma is a biotech company focusing on the clinical development of drugs with a primary
therapeutic focus on obesity, gastrointestinal diseases and, in collaboration with its partner Ortho-
McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a Johnson and Johnson company) inflammation. 7TM Pharma’s
approach is to progress their product candidates into the early clinical development and secure
licensing partners for the advanced develoment and for commercialization.
7TM’s investors include Alta Partners, GLSV, GIMV, Index Ventures, J&J Development Corporation,
LD Pensions, Novo A/S, Scottish Widows, Sofinnova and SR One. For more information on 7TM
Pharma, please visit www.7tm.com.