DURHAM, N.C., Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Chimerix, Inc., a biotechnology company developing orally-available antiviral therapeutics, today announced that Kenneth I. Moch, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at two upcoming investor conferences in New York City: the 8th Annual Lazard Healthcare Conference on November 16th at 10:30 am at The Pierre Hotel and the 23rd Annual Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference on November 29 at 11:50 am at The New York Palace.
Mr. Moch’s presentation will include an update on the company’s clinical pipeline, which includes its lead development program, CMX001. CMX001 is being tested in ongoing placebo-controlled clinical trials and in open-label treatment protocols for the prophylaxis, preemption and treatment of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses, including herpesviruses and adenoviruses, and as a potential biodefense countermeasure in the event of a smallpox release. Data from the ongoing placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of CMX001 in the prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV, a herpesvirus) in hematopoetic stem cell transplant patients is expected during the first quarter of 2012.
About Chimerix
Chimerix is developing novel antiviral therapeutics with the potential to transform patient care in multiple settings, including transplant, oncology, acute care and global health. Utilizing proprietary lipid conjugate technology, the company’s two clinical stage compounds have demonstrated the potential for enhanced activity, bioavailability and safety compared to currently approved drugs.
The company’s lead candidate, CMX001, is a lipid-antiviral-conjugate that delivers high intracellular levels of the active antiviral agent cidofovir-diphosphate. Its broad spectrum activity against viruses without the myelotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of currently available therapies has the potential to improve outcomes for immunosuppressed patients. CMX001 is in Phase 2 clinical development for the prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and the preemption and treatment of adenovirus infection in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Data from an ongoing, placebo-controlled Phase 2 CMV prophylaxis trial is expected during the first quarter of 2012. In an emergency IND cohort of adenovirus-infected transplant recipients, CMX001 has demonstrated its ability to reduce viremia and improve survival. To date, more than 650 patients have been dosed with CMX001 in placebo-controlled clinical trials and open-label treatment protocols.
CMX001 is also being developed as a medical countermeasure in the event of a smallpox release, with the potential to provide an important therapeutic option for the 80 million people in the U.S. currently estimated to be immunocompromised and thus not candidates to receive a smallpox vaccine. Chimerix has received federal funding for the development of CMX001 as a medical countermeasure against smallpox from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under Grant No. U01-A1057233 and from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. HHSO100201100013C.
Chimerix’s second clinical-stage antiviral compound, CMX157, is a lipid-antiviral-conjugate that delivers high intracellular levels of the active antiviral agent tenofovir-diphosphate. CMX157 is in development as a potent nucleoside analogue against HIV and HBV infections, and has the potential to directly address several limitations of current therapies. CMX157 has completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers, providing pharmacokinetic data which support the compound’s enhanced characteristics.
Led by an experienced antiviral drug development team, Chimerix is also leveraging its lipid conjugate technology and extensive chemical library to pursue new treatments for hepatitis C virus, influenza, and other areas of high unmet medical need. For additional information on Chimerix, please visit http://www.chimerix.com.
SOURCE Chimerix, Inc.
