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Source: Chimerix, Inc.

Data on Chimerix's CMX001 Selected for Two Oral Presentations at the 26th International Conference on Antiviral Research

DURHAM, N.C., May 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chimerix, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMRX), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, oral antivirals in areas of high unmet medical need, today announced two oral presentations related to its broad-spectrum antiviral compound CMX001 at the International Society for Antiviral Research's 26th International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR). ICAR is being held May 11-15, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco, CA.

Chimerix's first presentation will describe the technology underlying Chimerix's two clinical-stage nucleoside phosphonates, CMX001 and CMX157, as well as the potential application of the technology to other compounds in the Chimerix Chemical Library. Chimerix's second presentation describes the emerging cytomegalovirus (CMV) resistance profile for CMX001.  Notably, viral resistance to CMX001 is slow to emerge in vitro and was not observed in treatment-naïve patients enrolled in Chimerix's Phase 2 trial of CMX001 for the prevention of CMV in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients.  

Together, these results support the use of CMX001 as first-line anti-CMV therapy and the continued development of CMX001 for prevention of CMV in Chimerix's upcoming Phase 3 trial, SUPPRESS.  

Title: Rational Design of Nucleoside Phosphonates for Intracellular Delivery Using Lipid Conjugation
Presenter: Randall Lanier, Ph.D.
Session Name: Oral Session VII: Mini Chemistry Symposium – Prodrugs as a tool in Drug Discovery and Development
Session Date and Time: Wednesday, May 15, 9:00 – 9:30 am
 
Title: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Resistance Profile of CMX001
Presenter: Randall Lanier, Ph.D.
Session Name: Oral Session VIII: Clinical Symposium
Session Date and Time: Wednesday, May 15, 3:15 – 3:30 pm

For more information, please see the ICAR website at http://www.isar-icar.com/?page=26ICAR.

About CMX001

Chimerix's lead product candidate, CMX001, is a broad-spectrum oral nucleotide analog that blocks replication of all five families of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses that infect humans, including CMV, adenovirus (AdV), BK virus and herpes simplex viruses.  In a Phase 2 trial, CMX001 demonstrated potential clinical utility in prevention of CMV infection in high-risk patients who had received a HSCT.  Chimerix anticipates initiating SUPPRESS, its Phase 3 trial of CMX001 for the prevention of CMV infection in adults undergoing HSCT, in mid-2013.  In December 2012, Chimerix completed enrollment of a Phase 2 trial in pediatric and adult HSCT recipients evaluating CMX001 as a preemptive therapy for AdV disease, an often-fatal infection with no approved therapies.  Since 2009, Chimerix has made CMX001 available through a Compassionate Use Program to over 80 medical centers worldwide for the treatment of over 430 patients with life-threatening dsDNA viral infections and no alternative treatment.

Chimerix has received Federal funding for the development of CMX001 as a potential medical countermeasure against smallpox from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. HHSO100201100013C.

About Chimerix

Chimerix is committed to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel, oral antiviral therapeutics designed to transform patient care in areas of high unmet medical need.  Chimerix's proprietary lipid technology has given rise to two clinical-stage lipid acyclic nucleoside phosphonates, CMX001 and CMX157, which have demonstrated the potential for enhanced activity and safety in convenient, orally administered dosing regimens.  Chimerix's second product candidate, CMX157, an oral nucleotide analog lipid-conjugate for the treatment of HIV infection, was licensed to Merck in July 2012.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the use of CMX001 as first-line anti-CMV therapy and Chimerix's Phase 3 SUPPRESS trial.  Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the accuracy of Chimerix's estimates regarding its ability to initiate the SUPPRESS trial; the success of the SUPPRESS trial and Phase 2 trials; the demonstrated efficacy of CMX001 in the SUPPRESS trial and Phase 2 trials; the accuracy of Chimerix's estimates regarding expenses and capital requirements; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; Chimerix's ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for CMX001; and the loss of key scientific or management personnel.  These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Chimerix's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its Registration Statement on Form S-1 that was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8, 2013, and the amendments thereto.  All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Chimerix undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.