Viamet’s VT-1598 Demonstrates Potent Activity Against Candida Auris And Other Life-Threatening Fungal Species

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Viamet Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the presentation of multiple studies supporting VT-1598, a clinical-stage compound for the treatment of life-threatening invasive fungal infections, at the American Society for Microbiology’s ASM Microbe 2017 conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. Data presented at the conference demonstrate that VT-1598 is highly active against pathogenic molds, yeasts and endemic fungi, including Candida auris (C. auris) and other multi-drug resistant fungal pathogens.

“In Vitro Activity of a Novel CYP51 Inhibitor, VT-1598, Against Clinical Isolates of Candida auris”

“Invasive fungal infections continue to be a serious global threat,” stated Robert Schotzinger, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Viamet. “The emergence of highly pathogenic and drug-resistant fungal species, such as C. auris, highlight the need for new and improved therapies. Using our proprietary MIDAS technology, we designed VT-1598 to be highly potent against fungal pathogens while also being highly selective for fungal CYP51, a metalloenzyme critical to the survival of the fungus. In preclinical studies, VT-1598 has been shown to be broad spectrum, highly potent and highly selective. We believe that VT-1598 will be an important new therapy for invasive fungal infections and look forward to advancing the compound through clinical development.”

In a poster titled, “In Vitro Activity of a Novel CYP51 Inhibitor, VT-1598, Against Clinical Isolates of Candida auris,” collaborators from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) demonstrated that VT-1598 was highly active against C. auris, an emerging fungal pathogen that is associated with mortality rates of up to 60%. Certain strains of C. auris are resistant to all three major classes of antifungal agents, the azoles, echinocandins and polyenes (such as amphotericin B). The CDC tested VT-1598 against 100 clinical isolates of C. auris, including isolates known to be resistant to current antifungal therapies. VT-1598 was demonstrated to have robust activity across all isolates tested, including high activity against drug-resistant strains.

In other presentations, collaborators from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and University of Arizona demonstrated that VT-1598 was broadly active against pathogenic molds, yeasts and endemic fungi. The UTHSCSA studies demonstrated the molecule’s very broad spectrum of activity in vitro to include Aspergillus species (A. fumigatis, A. flavus, A. niger, and A. terreus); Candida species (C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis); Cryptococcus species (C. neoformans and C. gatti); endemic fungal species (Coccidioides immitis, Coccidioides posadasii, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Histoplasma capsulatum); and Rhizopus arrhizus. In these studies, VT-1598 was also shown to be active against drug-resistant strains of pathogenic fungi.

The University of Arizona studies demonstrated that VT-1598 was highly effective as an oral treatment of respiratory coccidioidomycosis in a preclinical model of the disease. Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever, is a major fungal infection in the southwestern United States. Current therapies for Valley Fever are limited by significant side effects, drug-drug interactions and poor efficacy.

About VT-1598

VT-1598 is an orally available inhibitor of fungal CYP51 that has demonstrated high potency against a broad range of fungal pathogens, including molds, yeasts and multi-drug resistant fungal pathogens such as Candida auris. VT-1598 is also potent against a fungal class referred to as endemic fungi, which includes Coccidioides, Histoplasma and Blastomyces species. VT-1598 blocks the production of ergosterol, an essential component of the fungal cell membrane. Viamet is developing VT-1598 for the treatment of serious and life-threatening invasive fungal infections. Given the preclinical profile of VT-1598, Viamet believes that it may avoid the side effects that limit the use of current oral antifungal therapies, such as liver toxicity and drug-drug interactions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and orphan drug designation to VT-1598 for the treatment of Valley Fever.

About Viamet (www.viamet.com)

Viamet discovers and develops breakthrough therapies based on our leadership in metalloenzyme chemistry and biology. Our clinical portfolio includes novel agents to treat both chronic and life threatening fungal infections. We also leverage our metalloenzyme expertise in other therapeutic areas including oncology and orphan diseases. Focusing on the needs of patients and clinicians, we design our drug candidates to achieve superior efficacy and safety profiles compared to currently marketed drugs.

This press release includes forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary materially from these statements. There are many important risks affecting Viamet’s business, including that clinical trials may not be commenced, or if commenced, may not be successful, regulatory approvals may not be obtained and approved products, if any, may not achieve commercial success. The Viamet group of companies includes Viamet Pharmaceuticals Holdings, LLC and its operating subsidiaries, Viamet Pharmaceuticals, Inc., VPS-2, Inc., VPS-3, Inc. and Viamet Pharmaceuticals (Bermuda), Ltd. The Viamet group of companies are based in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, USA and Hamilton, Bermuda.