Algernon Appoints U.S. Company for cGMP Manufacturing of NP-120 (Ifenprodil) for COVID-19 Clinical Trials
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 23, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VANCOUVER, BC – (March 23, 2020) – Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW) (OTCQB: AGNPF) (the “Company” or “Algernon”) a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company announces that it has awarded the contract to manufacture the active pharmaceutical ingredient for NP-120 (Ifenprodil), to U.S. based Cascade Chemistry. Algernon has made the decision to scale-up cGMP manufacturing of Ifenprodil to support its quickly evolving clinical program for acute lung injury (ALI), its urgent clinical focus on COVID-19 (Coronavirus), as well as its idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) clinical program. Cascade Chemistry, based in Eugene Oregon, are specialists in chemical synthesis.
As work begins on the synthesis of Ifenprodil, the Company will also be moving forward as soon as possible with toxicity testing, as well as the development of new formulations for parenteral injection for ALI and an oral slow release formulation for IPF.
“We are every pleased to have appointed Cascade Chemistry to start the synthesis of Ifenprodil,” said Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals. “The Company believes strongly in the potential of Ifenprodil to treat patients who are suffering from a severe acute lung injury as a result of various forms of respiratory diseases including coronavirus, influenza, and IPF.
About Cascade Chemistry
Cascade Chemistry, is a contract research and manufacturing organization focusing on developing and scaling synthetic processes and working with client’s API’s from discovery to clinical manufacturing.
For nearly 40 years, Cascade Chemistry has provided crucial chemistry problem solving services to its clients. Over this time, it has developed a reputation as a reliable and experienced outsourcing partner. Cascade Chemistry continues to expand it’s R&D, process chemistry, and cGMP offerings. https://cascadechemistry.com/
About NP-120 (Ifenprodil)
NP-120 (Ifenprodil) is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA) receptor glutamate receptor antagonist specifically targeting the NMDA-type subunit 2B (Glu2NB). Ifenprodil also exhibits agonist activity for the Sigma-1 receptor, a chaperone protein up-regulated during endoplasmic reticulum stress. Although the anti-fibrotic activity of Ifenprodil in IPF is not known, recent studies have suggested a link between both receptors and pathways associated with fibrosis.
Glutamate (Glu) is the main excitatory neurotransmitter which acts on glutamate receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) but overactivation of these receptors can cause several damages to neural cells including death. Recent studies show that the glutamate agonist N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) can trigger acute lung injury (ALI). ALI is a direct and indirect injury to alveolar epithelial cells and capillary endothelial cell, causing diffuse pulmonary interstitial and alveolar edema and acute hypoxic respiration failure. ALI is characterized by reduced lung volume and compliance, and imbalance of the ventilation/perfusion ratio, inducing hypoxemia and respiratory distress and its severe stage (oxygen index <200) known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). (1) Furthermore, pathological findings show that 64% of ARDS patients may have pulmonary fibrosis during convalescence (2).
NP-120 (Ifenprodil) was initially developed by Sanofi in the 1990s in the French and Japanese markets for the treatment of circulatory disorders. The drug is genericized and sold in Japan and South Korea to treat certain neurological conditions.
About Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Algernon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company focused on advancing its lead compounds for non–alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), chronic kidney disease (CKD) inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and chronic cough.
Algernon has filed new intellectual property rights for NP-120 (Ifenprodil) for the treatment of respiratory diseases and is working to develop a proprietary injectable and slow release formulation.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Christopher J. Moreau
CEO
Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
604.398.4175 ext 701
info@algernonpharmaceuticals.com
investors@algernonpharmaceuticals.com
www.algernonpharmaceuticals.com.
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Released March 23, 2020
