LA JOLLA, Calif., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Duska Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a series of agreements to acquire exclusive worldwide rights from several inventors to develop and commercialize technologies relating to the use of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) to improve motility of human and animal sperm. ATPotent is a novel ATP-based sperm processing medium designed to reduce failure rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures.
Male factor infertility is implicated in about half of the six million infertile couples in the US. Lack of, or low sperm motility or movement, also known as asthenozoospermia, is a common cause of human male infertility. It has been reported in the medical literature that the prevalence of asthenozoospermia in infertile men is approximately 82 percent. Currently, there is no FDA-approved product that enhances sperm motility.
Duska's sponsored studies at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Padua (Italy) have shown that ATP treatment of poorly motile human sperm in vitro (outside of the human body) resulted in improved motility parameters and increased frequency of hyperactivated sperm. The improved motility parameters were also observed in human sperm derived from males with asthenozoospermia and in thawed cryopreserved human sperm.
Results from these recent studies support earlier observations from a non-Duska sponsored European study in which increased success rate of IVF procedures were observed when ATP-treated sperm derived from infertile males with asthenozoospermia were used.
"Today's announcement underscores Duska's commitment to develop novel targeted therapies utilizing ATP," said Amir Pelleg, PhD, Duska's President and Chief Scientific Officer. "We believe that the newly acquired proprietary technology substantially strengthens the value of our ATPotent program and will allow us to address a pressing medical need in artificial reproductive technologies."
About Duska Therapeutics
Duska Therapeutics, Inc. (Duska) is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops new cardiovascular medicines based upon the emerging new pharmacology of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nitric oxide (NO). These two molecules play critical roles in cellular metabolism and signal transduction, the manipulation of which by several pharmaceuticals constitute novel therapeutic modalities for the treatment of major cardiovascular disorders. Duska is developing a portfolio of investigational medicines, two of which are in late stages of clinical testing. Duska's ATPace is expected to enter a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Duska's CDP-1050 is expected to commence a Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of heart failure. In addition, Duska has a preclinical program to develop new chemical entities that target a newly discovered pathway in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For more information, visit http://www.duskatherapeutics.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results described in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections made by management. Duska intends for the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," or variations of such words are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All statements in this release regarding the future outlook related to Duska are forward-looking statements, including the statements that Duska's ATPace is expected to enter a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, Duska's CDP-1050 is expected to commence a Phase 2 clinical trial, the belief that the newly acquired proprietary technology substantially strengthens the value of our ATPotent program and will allow us to address a pressing medical need in artificial reproductive technologies. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Such risks include the risk that the clinical trial for approval of ATPace and the Phase 2 clinical trial for our CDP-1050 may not be successful and that the newly acquired proprietary technology may not lead to expected results including the development or the successful commercialization of technologies relating to the use of ATP to improve motility of sperm. Additional uncertainties and risks are described in Duska's most recently filed SEC documents, such as its most recent annual report on Form 10-KSB, all quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and any current reports on Form 8-K filed since the date of the last Form 10-KSB. Copies of these filings are available through the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to Duska on the date hereof. Duska undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
CONTACT: James S. Kuo, M.D., M.B.A., Chairman and CEO of Duska
Therapeutics, Inc., +1-858-551-5700, Fax, +1-858-551-5704,
kuoj@duskascientific.com
Web site: http://www.duskatherapeutics.com/
