Santhera Acquires Juvantia and Secures All Rights to
JP-1730/Fipamezole
(Thomson Reuters ONE) - Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin AS.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN), a Swiss specialtypharmaceutical company focused on orphan neuromuscular diseases,announced today that it exercised its option to acquire Oy JuvantiaPharma Ltd of Turku, Finland, the owner of JP-1730/fipamezole.Santhera will issue up to 105,973 previously reserved shares from itsauthorized capital to Juvantia investors subject to certainconditions. JP-1730/fipamezole, a first-in-class compound, recentlycompleted Phase II development for the treatment of Dyskinesia inParkinson's Disease.Klaus Schollmeier, Chief Executive Officer of Santhera, said: "Thepositive FJORD Phase IIb results confirmed the efficacy ofJP-1730/fipamezole in reducing levodopa-induced dyskinesia inpatients suffering from Parkinson's disease. In order to exploit thefull potential of the drug for Santhera, including potentialout-licensing rights, we now have full access to all rights to theproduct."Upon the exercise of the option, Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AGimmediately became the owner of Juvantia. In consideration andsubject to certain conditions, Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AGwill later issue up to 105,973 previously reserved shares from itsauthorized capital to Juvantia investors. The new shares will belisted on SIX Swiss Exchange. After closing of the transaction, theshare capital of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG will consist of3,628,688 listed shares with a nominal value of CHF 1 each and theavailable amount of authorized share capital will be reducedaccordingly to CHF 323,945.In July 2006, Santhera and Juvantia signed a collaboration agreementto advance the development of Juvantia's compound JP-1730/fipamezolefor the treatment of Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease. Under theagreement, Santhera was responsible for conducting and fundingfurther development work. At the same time, a separate optionagreement between Santhera and the Juvantia investors effectivelygranted Santhera the right to acquire Juvantia, thereby securing allrights to the program.About Dyskinesia in Parkinson's DiseaseParkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerativedisease. Doctors prescribe levodopa and other dopaminergic compoundsas standard therapy. Over time, as the disease progresses, thebeneficial effects of this medication often diminish and additionalmovement disorders can appear (sometimes quite severe). Thesemovement disorders include dyskinesia which can be described assudden uncontrollable, often chaotic movements of limbs, face, tongueand body. These complications derive principally from long-termlevodopa use, but there is currently no alternative to using levodopaor dopamine agonists.About FipamezoleFipamezole is an antagonist of the adrenergic alpha-2 receptor with anovel mode of action in the treatment of Dyskinesia in Parkinson'sDisease. The rationale behind the development of fipamezole is toincrease noradrenergic release in certain areas of the brain,resulting in rebalancing of the distorted brain network andpotentially alleviating symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease suchas dyskinesia, motor fluctuations, orthostatic hypotension andcognitive impairment without exacerbating the underlying Parkinsonianfeatures of the disease. In a recent Phase IIb study, Santherademonstrated that JP-1730/fipamezole reduces Dyskinesia inParkinson's Disease with the study results also suggesting that thedrug has the potential to reduce "off time" and improve cognitivefunction. Furthermore, the reduction in dyskinesia was found to bestrongly correlated with the investigator's clinical globalimpression of improvement in overall condition. * * *About SantheraSanthera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) is a Swiss specialtypharmaceutical company focused on the development andcommercialization of small-molecule pharmaceutical products for thetreatment of severe neuromuscular diseases, an area of high unmetmedical need which includes many orphan indications with no currenttherapy. Santhera's first product, Catena® to treat Friedreich'sAtaxia, is marketed in Canada and in a well-advanced Phase IIIdevelopment program. Recently published study results show that theCompany's second compound, JP-1730/fipamezole is efficacious inreducing levodopa-induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease. Forfurther information, please visit the Company's web sitewww.santhera.com.Catena® is a trademark of Santhera Pharmaceuticals.For further information, contactKlaus Schollmeier, Chief Executive OfficerPhone: +41 (0)61 906 89 52klaus.schollmeier(at)santhera.comBarbara Heller, Chief Financial OfficerPhone: +41 (0)61 906 89 54barbara.heller(at)santhera.comThomas Staffelbach, Head Public & Investor RelationsPhone: +41 (0)61 906 89 47thomas.staffelbach(at)santhera.comDisclaimer/Forward-looking statementsThis communication does not constitute an offer or invitation tosubscribe for or purchase any securities of Santhera PharmaceuticalsHolding AG. This publication may contain certain forward-lookingstatements concerning the Company and its business. Such statementsinvolve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which couldcause the actual results, financial condition, performance orachievements of the Company to be materially different from thoseexpressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore notplace undue reliance on these statements, particularly not inconnection with any contract or investment decision. The Companydisclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.http://hugin.info/137261/R/1335040/317160.pdf --- End of Message ---Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AGHammerstrasse 47 Liestal SwitzerlandWKN: A0LCUK; ISIN: CH0027148649; Index: SPI, SPIEX, SSCI;Listed: Main Market in SIX Swiss Exchange;
Datum: 17.08.2009 - 07:00 Uhr
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