NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 18, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACHN), a leader in the discovery and development of small molecule drugs to combat the most challenging infectious diseases, today announced that it has received a Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research Grant (SBIR) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the further study and characterization of a back-up series of compounds related to its novel antibacterial, ACH-702.
The new compounds in the series to be studied demonstrate excellent inhibition of the essential bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase, and have improved metabolic stability. In particular, preliminary data show potent target inhibition of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis gyrase enzyme which translated in vitro to good antibacterial activity against drug-resistant tuberculosis.
"Over the next few months, we plan to profile and optimize several additional analogs prior to potential selection of a lead candidate for further development. We believe that this compound series has the potential to deliver a new oral and intravenous agent for the treatment of tuberculosis infections, including those caused by multi-drug resistant and extremely drug resistant strains for which there are currently limited treatment options," commented Michael Pucci, Ph.D., Senior Director of Microbiology and Principal Investigator for the NIH grant.
Achillion's tuberculosis research is a collaborative effort with Dr. Michael Cynamon of the Syracuse Veterans Administration Medical Center. Dr. Cynamon, an experienced researcher in the tuberculosis field, will perform antibacterial testing of compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates, including drug-resistant strains.
About Achillion
Achillion is an innovative pharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing important new treatments to patients with infectious disease. The company's proven discovery and development teams have advanced multiple product candidates with novel mechanisms of action. Achillion is focused on solutions for the most challenging problems in infectious disease – hepatitis C, resistant bacterial infections and HIV. For more information on Achillion Pharmaceuticals, please visit the company's web site at www.achillion.com or call Achillion at 1-203-624-7000.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including statements with respect to the timing and duration of discovery research or clinical trials, the Company's expectations regarding the release of data from ongoing research or clinical trials and the Company's performance under its collaboration agreements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: Achillion's ability to attract and develop potential collaboration relationships; unexpected regulatory actions or delays; uncertainties relating to results of clinical trials, including additional data relating to ongoing clinical trials, and Achillion's ability to obtain additional funding required to conduct its research, development and commercialization activities. These and other risks are described in the reports filed by Achillion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
All forward-looking statements reflect Achillion's expectations only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as reflecting Achillion's views, expectations or beliefs at any date subsequent to the date of this release. Achillion anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause these views, expectations and beliefs to change. However, while Achillion may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.
ACHN-G