Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CDTX), a biotechnology company developing novel anti-infectives including immunotherapies, today announced that two rezafungin abstracts...
SAN DIEGO, March 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CDTX), a biotechnology company developing novel anti-infectives including immunotherapies, today announced that two rezafungin abstracts have been accepted for presentation at the 44th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, March 18-21, 2018. Rezafungin acetate is a novel antifungal echinocandin and is the only once-weekly product candidate in development for the treatment and prevention of life-threatening invasive fungal infections.
“The EBMT meeting is an important forum for Cidara to showcase our rezafungin data among leading international experts in the field of stem cell transplantation,” said Jeffrey Stein, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Cidara. “Patients undergoing transplantation are at increased risk of acquiring deadly invasive fungal infections and antifungal drugs used today leave significant room for improvement. We are excited that once-weekly rezafungin may offer a new option for physicians and patients with the right balance of safety and efficacy, to decrease the rates of these dangerous infections.”
The EBMT annual meeting is the Society’s flagship scientific forum that convenes scientists, healthcare professionals, and patients from Europe and throughout the world to discuss key issues and developments relating to stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy research.
The two rezafungin abstracts to be presented at EBMT are:
Title: Novel Echinocandin Rezafungin (CD101) In Vitro Potency Translates to Efficacious Treatment/Prophylaxis in Mouse Models of Disseminated/Pulmonary Aspergillosis; V. Ong, et. al.
Date and time: Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 5:00-6:00 p.m. WET
Location: Poster area/Pavilion 1
Poster number: B126
Session: Infectious Complications
Title: Novel Once-Weekly Echinocandin Rezafungin (CD101) Prevention and Treatment of Pneumocystis Biofilms; M. Cushion, et. al.
Date and time: Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 5:00-6:00 p.m. WET
Location: Poster area/Pavilion 1
Poster number: B127
Session: Infectious Complications
Copies of these presentations will be available on the Cidara website following the meeting: www.cidara.com.
During 2018, assuming positive data from its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of rezafungin in the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis, Cidara plans to initiate a Phase 3, international, double-blind, randomized trial of rezafungin for prophylaxis against Candida, Aspergillus and Pneumocystis in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplant.
About Invasive Fungal Infections
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) represent a serious threat to millions of patients worldwide, resulting in more than 1.5 million deaths annually and mortality rates ranging from 15 to 65 percent. These infections are especially relevant for patients whose immune systems have been compromised, such as patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or chemotherapy. Of the most significant IFIs, approximately 90 percent of related deaths are primarily caused by Candida, Aspergillus, and Pneumocystis. Candida species are most common in hospital-acquired infections, while Aspergillus species are predominant in patients with weakened immune systems or lung diseases. Pneumocystis infections also commonly afflict immunocompromised patients.
About Cidara Therapeutics
Cidara is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new anti-infectives that have the potential to transform the standard of care and save or improve patients’ lives. The company is currently advancing its novel echinocandin antifungal, rezafungin acetate, formerly called CD101 IV, through Phase 2 and developing its antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Rezafungin has improved pharmacokinetics compared to existing echinocandins and has the potential for expanded utility across patient settings. Rezafungin is the only once-weekly product candidate in development for the treatment and prevention of life-threatening invasive fungal infections. Cidara is developing its antibody-drug conjugates as part of its novel Cloudbreak™ platform, the first immunotherapy discovery platform designed specifically to create compounds that directly kill pathogens and also direct a patient’s immune cells to attack and eliminate bacterial, fungal or viral pathogens. Cidara is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information, please visit www.cidara.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, the potential for rezafungin to successfully prevent invasive fungal infections and represent an improvement over current prophylaxis approaches, and Cidara’s ability to successfully develop rezafungin from and after the receipt of data from the ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the success and timing of Cidara’s preclinical studies and clinical trials; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; changes in Cidara’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; Cidara’s ability to obtain additional financing; Cidara’s ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; and the loss of key scientific or management personnel. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Cidara’s Form 10-Q most recently filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Cidara undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Robert H. Uhl
Westwicke Partners, LLC
Managing Director
(858) 356-5932
robert.uhl@westwicke.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
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Sam Brown Inc.
615-414-8668
ChristyCurran@sambrown.com
