MinoGuard was founded by Mor research Applications Ltd., Clalit Health Services technology transfer office, on the basis of a discovery made by Prof. Yechiel Levkovitz and Dr. Shlomo Mendlovic, heads of departments at the Shalvata Mental Health Center.
SAM-101, MinoGuard's leading drug, is based on a combination of existing anti-psychotic drugs and a recognized medicinal compound.
MinoGuard has successfully completed a phase 2a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial conducted on about 70 schizophrenics. The trial's endpoints were met, proving that SAM-101 improves the positive symptoms of the disease as well as the patients' cognitive state, minimizes the negative symptoms (social parameters and patient cognition) and reduces side effects such as overweight among patients.
Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic (psychotic) mental illness and one of the most common. It affects the majority of social and mental functions, mood, perception, thought and cognitive functions according to the United States National Institute of Mental Health approximately 1.1% of the adult population in the United States has schizophrenia. According to a research by Decision Resources, the schizophrenia treatment industry in 2009 amounted to approximately $ 5.6 billion.
David Grossman, XTL's CEO mentioned that "The acquisition of MinoGuard would be in line with the Company's strategy to focus on late-stage clinical development drugs and treatments with a known safety profile, which address large markets with clear unmet clinical needs". Grossman added "it is our intention to continue with our strategy to broaden our drug development pipeline".
About XTL Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd
XTL Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. The Company is focused on developing a drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma and Hepatitis C. The Company has a unique treatment for multiple myeloma cancer patients based on EPO, a genetically engineered version of a natural hormone produced by the kidneys. The drug has been approved for marketing by the FDA and has for many years been sold for billions of dollars across the world for the treatment of severe anemia. Additionally, the Company has an agreement with Presidio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to develop a drug for the treatment of Hepatitis C based on the Company's DOS technology.
XTL is a public company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE:XTL.ta - News) and its ADRs are quoted in the US on the Pink Sheets (Pink Sheets:XTLBY.pk - News).
For further details, please contact:
XTL Investor Relations, Tel: +972-9-955-7080 or email: ir@xtlbio.com
