FLEMINGTON, N.J., June 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arno Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB:ARNI), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other life threatening diseases, today announced it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) Material Transfer Agreement with the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) to evaluate the anti-viral activity of AR-12 and various analogues against Ebola and other viruses of biodefense interest.
"This is an important step forward in the process of evaluating AR-12 and the other compounds in the AR-12 series against various microbial pathogens," commented Alex Zukiwski, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Arno Therapeutics. "We look forward to working with USAMRIID to learn more about the potential activity of AR-12 and related compounds."
About AR-12
AR-12 is an orally-available small molecule. Data reported previously demonstrate that the AR-12 mechanism of action may include induction of host cell autophagy and inhibition of fungal acetyl coenzyme A synthetase. The precise antiviral mechanism of action of AR-12 continues to be evaluated but an established body of evidence demonstrates that AR-12 is an inducer of host effector cell autophagy. AR-12 is known to inhibit, or down regulate, GRP78 (also known as BiP, HSPA5) the master regulator of the unfolded protein response. The down regulation of GRP78 results in the up-regulation of PERK which induces the formation of autophagosomes and, subsequently, host cell autophagy. AR-12 also down regulates the chaperone proteins HSP70 and HSP90. Previously, AR-12 has completed Phase 1 clinical trials in patients with cancer. Additional pre-clinical research indicates that AR-12 may have potential as an antimicrobial agent in various infectious diseases. AR-12 has been granted two orphan drug designations in Europe for the treatment of cryptococcosis and tularaemia. In addition, Arno also has the rights to a broad portfolio of compounds in the "AR-12 series" which have been demonstrated to have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.
About Arno Therapeutics
Arno Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative products for the treatment of cancer and other life threatening diseases. Arno has exclusive worldwide rights to develop and market three innovative product candidates. These compounds are in clinical or preclinical development as product candidates to treat hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, as well as other life threatening diseases. For more information about the company, please visit www.arnothera.com.
About USAMRIID
USAMRIID's mission is to provide leading edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents. Research conducted at USAMRIID leads to medical solutions—vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and information—that benefit both military personnel and civilians. The Institute plays a key role as a lead military medical research laboratory for lethal viruses for the Military Infectious Disease Research Program, and for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. For more information, visit www.usamriid.army.mil.
No commercial endorsement is implied.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "believes," "intends," and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the mechanism of action of AR-12, its potential as an anti-viral and antimicrobial agent and to treat other infectious diseases and cancer, the timing, progress and anticipated results of the development of AR-12, as well as Arno's strategy, future operations, outlook, milestones, future financial position, future financial results, plans and objectives. The Company may not actually achieve these plans, intentions or expectations and Arno cautions investors not to place undue reliance on its forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements made. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks that the results of further preclinical and clinical trials will not support Arno's claims or beliefs concerning the effectiveness of AR-12 or any other product candidates, the ability to finance the development of AR-12 and other product candidates, regulatory risks, and reliance on third party researchers and other collaborators. Additional risks are described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Arno is providing this information as of the date of this press release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.