GlycoMimetics, Inc. Poster Shows GMI-1271 Reverses Drug Resistance In Multiple Myeloma Models

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GlycoMimetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:GLYC) announced today that preclinical data presented in a poster at the 57th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, in Orlando, Florida, on its drug candidate GMI-1271 showed the compound could reverse molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance seen in multiple myeloma.

“We’re encouraged by the potential to use a biomarker to identify a specific population of multiple myeloma patients who might benefit from this therapy, and we intend to initiate a clinical trial in Europe in mid-2016.”

“The data on GMI-1271 show a promising pathway toward reducing resistance to chemotherapy and other drugs in multiple myeloma,” said Helen Thackray, M.D., Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of GlycoMimetics. “We’re encouraged by the potential to use a biomarker to identify a specific population of multiple myeloma patients who might benefit from this therapy, and we intend to initiate a clinical trial in Europe in mid-2016.”

The data in the poster describes a preclinical model mimicking a very high-risk patient population with multiple myeloma. This high-risk group is defined by expression of higher levels of the E-selectin ligand HECA-452 on multiple myeloma cells. HECA-452 expression is also shown to increase in patients as disease progresses. In the animal model reported in the poster, bortezomib did not demonstrate any benefit in the treatment of myeloma with high expression of HECA-452. When GMI-1271 was combined with bortezomib, however, this resistance to bortezomib was overcome, and animals showed improvements in survival compared to bortezomib alone. Resistance to bortezomib is seen in the clinic with shorter and shorter duration of remission as patients’ disease progresses. Improving the response to bortezomib could improve clinical outcomes for high risk and relapsed patients with myeloma.

GMI-1271 targets E-selectin, a cell adhesion molecule that aids in blood cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy. The drug candidate also is in a Phase 1/2 clinical study designed to evaluate its safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and efficacy when used together with chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The abstract (Abstract #1805), entitled “E-selectin Ligand Expression Increases with Progression of Myeloma and Induces Drug Resistance in a Murine Transplant Model, which is Overcome by the Glycomimetic E-Selectin Antagonist, GMI-1271,” is available at ASH’s website.

About GlycoMimetics, Inc.

GlycoMimetics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel glycomimetic drugs to address unmet medical needs resulting from diseases in which carbohydrate biology plays a key role. GlycoMimetics entered into an exclusive license agreement with Pfizer for rivipansel in October 2011. Under the license agreement, Pfizer is responsible for the clinical development, regulatory approval and potential commercialization of rivipansel, which is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 study for treatment of vaso-occlusive crisis of sickle cell disease.

GlycoMimetics’s wholly-owned drug candidate (GMI-1271) for AML and other blood disorders is also in clinical trials. Glycomimetics are molecules that mimic the structure of carbohydrates involved in important biological processes. Using its expertise in carbohydrate chemistry and knowledge of carbohydrate biology, GlycoMimetics is developing a pipeline of glycomimetic drug candidates that inhibit disease-related functions of carbohydrates, such as the roles they play in inflammation, cancer and infection. Learn more at www.glycomimetics.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the clinical development of the GMI-1271 and the presentation of data. Actual results may differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks associated with these statements, as well as other risks facing GlycoMimetics, please see the risk factors described in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2015, and other filings the company makes with the SEC from time to time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release, and GlycoMimetics undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, except as may be required by law.