STOCKHOLM, October 30, 2017 – Promore Pharma AB, a Swedish biopharmaceutical developer of therapeutic peptides, announced today that the EU-funded FORMAMP project has been completed. The project was carried out with 15 partners and coordinated by RISE. One of the results of the project is that Promore Pharma’s DPK-060 has been incorporated into advanced pharmaceutical preparations consisting of nanoparticles with improved efficacy.
Promore Pharma has participated in the EU-funded FORMAMP project, aiming to develop stable nano-formulations of antimicrobial peptides that can result in new treatments for infectious diseases. Promore Pharma’s participation in the project has been focused on the DPK-060 peptide, a drug candidate that previously underwent two clinical trials in patients with atopic dermatitis and external otitis, respectively, and in these trials the peptide was shown to be safe and well tolerated. The results in previous clinical trials have been positive but not statistically conclusive, partly because DPK-060 is unstable as a drug substance.
“In recent years, Promore Pharma has chosen to focus on the development of the PXL01 and LL-37 projects. Through the participation in the FORMAMP project we have learned that the dosage form of DPK-060 can be improved, which we hope may result in new business opportunities for the company, said Jonas Ekblom, CEO and president of Promore Pharma.
The FORMAMP project was launched in December 2013 in collaboration with 15 international partners with the overall aim of developing a number of innovative formulations based on nanotechnology to improve functionalities, stability and release profiles for antimicrobial peptides (AMP) in clinical development. The project was led and coordinated by RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden, a merger of Innventia, SP and Swedish ICT) and was funded by the EU to the equivalent of EUR 7.9 million.
DPK-060 is an antimicrobial peptide derived from the endogenousprotein kininogen, which plays a role in inflammation, blood pressure control and pain. The peptide has been characterized in extensive toxicology models with good results and in the two clinical phase I/II trials previously conducted by the company. These studies indicate that the peptide is suitable for long-term treatment of infections, and studies indicate that the risk of allergies or immunological reactions is low. Additionally, DPK-060 has a broad spectrum-acting antibacterial effect on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA. This effect has been confirmed by several different research groups in Europe through the FORMAMP project.
For additional information, please contact
Jonas Ekblom, CEO
Phone: [+46] 736 777 540
Email: jonas.ekblom@promorepharma.com
Jenni Björnulfson, CFO
Phone: [+46] 708 55 38 05
Email: jenni.bjornulfson@promorepharma.com
Promore Pharma in brief:
Promore Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of therapeutic peptides for the bioactive wound care market. The company’s aim is to develop two first-in-category products for indications where very few efficacious prescription pharmaceuticals are available, thus, addressing high unmet medical needs. Promore Pharma has two projects, PXL01 and LL-37, in late stage clinical phase. PXL01, that will be used for prevention of post-surgical adhesions and scars, is being prepared for clinical phase III-studies in patients undergoing tendon repair surgery in the hand and LL-37 that is prepared for a clinical phase IIb study in patients with venous leg ulcers. The product candidates can also be deployed for other indications, such as preventing dermal scarring and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. The company is listed on Nasdaq First North with Redeye AB as Certified Adviser.
About FORMAMP:
The long-term objective of the FORMAMP project was to significantly change the treatment strategies for infectious diseases and to reduce the drastic increase of resistant bacteria. The project aimed to develop new and innovative dosage forms, based on the combination of nanotechnology-based delivery systems and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. FORMAMP was funded by the European Union’s 7:th Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no 604182 FORMAMP.