NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACHN) today announced that two abstracts are scheduled for presentation at the 56th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Francisco, CA, December 6 – 9. The abstracts are now available at http://www.hematology.org/Annual-Meeting/.
Milind Deshpande, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Achillion, commented, “Over the past year, we have successfully harnessed innovation from our talented R&D teams to expand into complement-related therapeutic areas. Our breakthrough came after we obtained high resolution 3D structures of factor D-inhibitor complexes which allowed us to design potent and specific inhibitors of complement factor D. These upcoming presentations represent the first look into our preclinical complement inhibitor program and we look forward to their inclusion at ASH.”
Dr. Deshpande further commented, “Our complement factor D inhibitors possess desirable attributes including pico-molar potency in vitro, low potential for off-target effects, and complete inhibition of complement in non-human primates after oral dosing. We anticipate that our platform could play a role in addressing the needs of all PNH patients, including those patients who fail to respond or respond sub-optimally to the currently available treatment, as well as patients suffering from other complement-mediated diseases.”
| Publication No. 4817 |
| Title: Novel small-molecule inhibitors targeting complement factor D for therapy of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria |
| Session Name: 802. Chemical Biology and Experimental Therapeutics: Poster III |
| Date: Monday, December 8, 2014 |
| Presentation Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
| Publication No. 4819 |
| Title: Preclinical evaluation of orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitors of complement factor D as a potential treatment for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria |
| Session: 802. Chemical Biology and Experimental Therapeutics: Poster III |
| Date: Monday, December 8, 2014 |
| Presentation Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Reprints of the poster presentations will be made available on the Company’s website after presentation at ASH and can be accessed at www.achillion.com/resources.
About Complement Factor D Platform
Achillion has leveraged its internal discovery capabilities and a novel complement-related platform to develop oral inhibitors of complement factor D. Factor D is an essential serine protease involved in the complement pathway, a part of the innate immune system. Achillion’s complement platform is focused on advancing compounds that inhibit factor D, can be orally-administered, and can potentially be used in the treatment of immune-related diseases in which complement plays a critical role. Potential indications being evaluated for these compounds include paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), myasthenia gravis, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Achillion anticipates that its platform could play a role in addressing the needs of all PNH patients, including patients who have suboptimal response to, or fail to respond to, the currently available treatment, as well as for patients suffering from other complement-mediated diseases.
About Achillion Pharmaceuticals
Achillion is seeking to apply expertise in biology and structure-guided design and a deep understanding of patient and clinician needs to develop innovative treatment solutions aimed at improving patients’ lives. The company’s scientific excellence, integrated capabilities and experienced team position it to successfully achieve its goal of advancing new products along the entire continuum from the bench to the patient. Achillion’s pipeline is currently focused on small molecule therapeutics for infectious disease and complement-related diseases. www.achillion.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to the Company’s plans to present poster presentations about its complement factor D inhibition program at the ASH annual meeting in 2014 and the potential therapeutic benefits of its complement factor D compounds under development. Achillion may use words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “believe,” “seek,” " estimate,” “can,” “focus,” “will,” and “may” and similar expressions to identify such forward-looking statements. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are risks relating to, among other things Achillion’s ability to: advance the preclinical and clinical development of its drug candidates, including ACH-3422, ACH-3102, sovaprevir and complement factor D inhibitors, under the timelines it projects in current and future preclinical studies and clinical trials; obtain and maintain patent protection for its drug candidates and the freedom to operate under third party intellectual property; demonstrate in any current and future clinical trials the requisite safety, efficacy and combinability of its drug candidates; obtain and maintain necessary regulatory approvals; establish commercial manufacturing arrangements; identify, enter into and maintain collaboration agreements with appropriate third-parties; compete successfully with other companies that are seeking to develop improved therapies for the treatment of HCV; manage expenses; manage litigation; raise the substantial additional capital needed to achieve its business objectives; and successfully execute on its business strategies. These and other risks are described in the reports filed by Achillion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and its subsequent SEC filings.
In addition, any forward-looking statement in this press release represents Achillion’s views only as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Achillion disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law.
CONTACT: Company Contact: Glenn Schulman Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Tel. (203) 624-7000 gschulman@achillion.com Media: Laurie Masonson Ogilvy PR Tel. (917)459-6164 laurie.masonson@ogilvy.com Investors: Mary Kay Fenton Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Tel. (203) 624-7000 mfenton@achillion.com Investors: Tricia Truehart The Trout Group, LLC Tel. (646) 378-2953 ttruehart@troutgroup.com
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