HUYA Bioscience International Announces World-Class Clinical Advisory Team for New Anti-Arrhythmic Compound
SAN FRANCISCO, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- IBC Conference -- HUYA Bioscience International (HUYA), the leader in U.S./China pharmaceutical co-development, today announced the clinical advisory team for its new anti-arrhythmic compound, HBI-3000. The new compound is set to begin enrollment under the final Phase I clinical trial protocol after successful completion of three previous Phase I protocols in China. The advisory team consists of world-class biomedical researchers who will provide guidance to HUYA and its Chinese partner, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), throughout the course of an innovative U.S./China co-development process for HBI-3000.
The advisory team consists of:
Peter R. Kowey, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology at Jefferson Medical College and a pioneer in the development of many anti-arrhythmic drugs and anti-tachycardia devices;
Eric Topol, M.D., Chief Academic Officer for Scripps Health, former chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic for 15 years and recognized by the Institute of Scientific Information as one of the top 10 cited researchers in medicine over the past decade;
Benedict R. Lucchesi, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Pharmacology for more than 40 years and contributor to more than 370 publications in basic pharmacology and drug development;
Denis Roy, M.D., Montreal Heart Institute, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Montreal and Principal Investigator of the recently completed Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure multi-center international trial;
Jefferson L. Anderson, M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of Utah and Chief of Cardiology, Intermountain Medical Center, a major contributor to cardiovascular research over a broad area including anti-arrhythmic therapies, genetic polymorphisms and new risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Stanley Nattel, M.D., Paul-David Chair in Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, Professor of Medicine, University of Montreal, Director, Electrophysiology Research Program Montreal Heart Institute Research Center, University of Montreal.
According to Mireille Gingras, Ph.D., CEO of HUYA, this top-notch advisory team exemplifies the level of excellence HUYA is bringing to the co-development process between HUYA and its partners at SIMM in China. "We're thrilled to have each of these renowned scientists on our advisory team and look forward to working closely with them on this promising new anti-arrhythmic compound, HBI-3000. Our tightly integrated co-development effort with our Chinese partners represents a true breakthrough in Sino-American pharmaceutical development and we're proud to undertake that effort with this outstanding group of advisors."
HBI-3000 clinical milestones in China
In a separate announcement today, HUYA discussed the completion of enrollment and evaluation under three Phase I clinical trial protocols in China of its anti-arrhythmic compound, HBI-3000, a balanced multi-ion channel blocker, originally licensed from SIMM. The data from the trials -- in combination with pre-clinical data generated separately and in collaboration by HUYA and SIMM -- support a desirable safety profile; most significantly, a lack of life-threatening pro-arrhythmic activity.
Anti-arrhythmic drugs are used today to treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a serious condition that afflicts 5.6 million Americans. Anti-arrhythmic agents have also been used for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, although most have failed to demonstrate a survival advantage, and in some cases carry significant safety risk.
The main concern with anti-arrhythmic drugs is an increased risk of sudden death (Torsade de Pointes) in patients with underlying organic heart disease such as coronary artery disease, prior history of myocardial infarction and heart failure. A large subset of individuals with atrial and ventricular arrhythmias suffers from these conditions, precluding treatment with most existing anti-arrhythmic drugs. Development of safe anti-arrhythmic agents for use in these patients is needed. Pre-clinical data developed by HUYA and its Chinese partner, along with the Chinese clinical trial data suggest that HBI-3000 may have safety advantages over other anti-AF agents and exhibits broad spectrum ion channel inhibition without pro-arrhythmic activity that suggests it may also be safer to use in treatment of ventricular arrhythmias.
HUYA's innovative co-development model
HUYA was one of the first companies to recognize the potential of China as a source for novel pre-clinical and clinical stage compounds and pioneered an innovative co-development model. HUYA partners with Chinese research institutions and pharmaceutical companies to leverage and extend their research efforts, accelerate development, and provide a bridge into the U.S. development process and the biopharma market. This model contrasts with that of some large pharmaceutical companies whose approach is to start their own research facilities in China hoping to tap its large biotech talent pool, or that of smaller competitors with "one-off" single compound strategies.
One of the key differentiators of HUYA's approach is the assembly of a world-class team of scientific and clinical advisors for each promising new compound, such as that assembled for the HBI-3000. This team is available to collaborate with its Chinese partners and is then able to leverage and extend these efforts as the compounds enter the development process in the U.S., streamlining the process and mitigating risk.
About HUYA
HUYA is the leader in Sino-American pharmaceutical co-development, formed to meet the global need for new, untapped sources of pre-clinical and clinical stage compounds. HUYA identifies promising new compounds in China and partners with Chinese research institutions to leverage and extend their research efforts, accelerate development, and provide a bridge into the U.S. development process and the biopharma market. With three strategic offices in China, a broad Chinese compound portfolio, and exclusive agreements with premier Chinese biotech centers, HUYA has pioneered the most innovative and productive approach for pharmaceutical co-development between the U.S. and China. Further information about the company is available at www.huyabio.com.
jtuttleman@huyabio.comwchen@huyabio.comamyeberry@comcast.netjuliet@travispr.com
CONTACT: USA, Jan Tuttleman, Ph.D., Vice President, Marketing,
+1-858-798-8800, jtuttleman@huyabio.com, or China, Wen Chen, M.S., MBA, EVP
China Operation and Chief Representative, 86 21 51323312,
wchen@huyabio.com, both of HUYA Bioscience International; or Media, Amy
Berry, +1-415-793-2258, amyeberry@comcast.net, or Juliet Travis,
+1-510-452-3771, juliet@travispr.com
Web site: http://www.huyabio.com//