Algernon Pharmaceuticals Announces Reduction of Key Secondary Marker of Fibrosis in Pre-Clinical NASH Study

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW) (OTCB: BTHCF) (the “Company” or “Algernon”) a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company is pleased to announce that after additional biochemical analysis, NP-135, one of its lead compounds for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”), showed that in addition to being metabolically neutral in a number of important measurements, it further demonstrated a 34.6% reduction of a key secondary marker of fibrosis, liver hydroxyproline. The analysis was part of a recently completed pre-clinical study for NASH that used the widely accepted STAM™ mouse model from SMC Laboratories.

Results from the biochemical analysis showed:

• Neither NP-135 or Cenicriviroc (CVC), both a positive control and comparator arm in the study, and currently in Phase III trials for NASH, showed any significant negative effect on any important metabolic markers including glucose, lipids and cholesterol.
   
• NP-135 (200 mg/kg, QID) showed a 34.6% (p<0.001) reduction in liver hydroxyproline compared to negative controls.
   
• Cenicriviroc (40 mg/kg, QID) showed a 29.0% (p<0.01) reduction in liver hydroxyproline when compared to negative controls.

“Fibrosis is the real problem in NASH and many other related diseases”, said Christopher J, Moreau, CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals. “When you consider that NP-135 directly reduced fibrosis in this NASH study by 84.3% and further reduced hydroxyproline, another key marker by 34.6%, its easy to see why we believe so strongly that NP-135 could one day be a leading candidate for the management and treatment of NASH”.

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) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

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 April 1, 2019