Investors
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company applying proprietary technologies to produce novel therapies for infectious diseases, announced today the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical study of Aerucin™, the Company's fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, which is being developed as an adjunctive treatment for acute pneumonia. Aerucin has also filed for Orphan Disease Designation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the United States and in Europe.
The clinical trial, expected to complete in the third quarter of 2015, is a Phase 1 single ascending dose study in healthy volunteers. Advancing to this stage of development represents the culmination of longstanding collaborations with Harvard University and the National Institutes of Health.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vu Truong, Ph.D., stated, "We are pleased to initiate an accelerated clinical development plan to generate proof-of-concept data that further characterize Aerucin's bactericidal potency. We believe that directing the human immune response to fight life-threatening infections such as those associated with Gram-negative P. aeruginosa bacteria represents the future of new anti-infectives, and will be critical to solving the persistent problem of antibiotic resistance."
Aerucin directly binds the alginate polysaccharide on the cell surface of P. aeruginosa. It was discovered using Aridis' proprietary MabIgX® technology by screening human B-cells for antibodies that demonstrated improved immune recognition and phagocytic destruction of more than 90% of all Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Earlier preclinical studies of Aerucin support both therapeutic and prophylactic use of the monoclonal antibody.
About Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Aridis is a privately held biopharmaceutical company applying proprietary monoclonal antibody discovery technology MabIgX® and pharmaceutical formulation technologies to produce novel infectious disease focused therapies. Aridis' product pipeline includes AR-301 anti-Staphylococcus aureus human monoclonal antibody to treat acute pneumonia; AR-101 anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS human monoclonal antibody; Panaecin™, a small molecule anti-infective gallium compound with broad spectrum activities against bacteria, viruses, and fungi; Aerucin™, a broadly reactive monoclonal antibody against Pseudomonas aeruginosa initially being developed to treat acute pneumonia; AR- 401 anti-Acinetobacter baumannii human monoclonal antibody; and AR-201 anti-RSV human monoclonal antibody.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the therapeutic applications of AR-301, AR-101, Panaecin™, Aerucin™, AR-401, AR-201, Aridis' proprietary formulation and delivery technologies, about Aridis' strategy, pre-clinical and clinical programs, and ability to identify and develop drugs, as well as other statements that are not historical facts. Actual events or results may differ materially from Aridis' expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timing, success and cost of Aridis' research and clinical studies and its ability to obtain additional financing. These forward-looking statements represent Aridis' judgment as of the date of this release. Aridis disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.
Joshua Drumm, Ph.D. (investors)
jdrumm@tiberend.com
(212) 375-2664
Amy Wheeler (media)
awheeler@tiberend.com
(212) 827-0020
SOURCE Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
