TGFTX3 PROGRAM (REV-ERB): SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THE REGULATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK AND GLUCOSE METABOLISM
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Using in vivo diabetes models, GENFIT has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of new proprietary compounds that target Rev-Erba, a major player in the regulation of the circadian cycle
Lille (France), Boston (Massachusetts, United States), October 19, 2012 - GENFIT (Alternext: ALGFT; ISIN: FR0004163111), a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of drug discovery and development, focusing on the early diagnosis and preventive treatment of cardiometabolic and associated disorders, today announces that it has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of new proprietary compounds that activate the nuclear receptor Rev-Erba, a major player in the internal biological clock.
These results represent a significant achievement in the development of new drug candidates for the treatment of diseases associated with circadian rhythm dysregulation.
GENFIT has notably discovered original synthetic ligands of the receptor Rev-Erba, and shown that they regulate glucose metabolism in in vivo diabetes models. These findings confirm the hypothesis recently proposed in the New England Journal of Medicine, that the modulation of circadian cycle genes, in particular the nuclear receptor Rev-Erba on which GENFIT has been working for several years, shows a significant potential for the treatment of several pathologies, including metabolic diseases.
It is of note that an international patent application has been submitted for the families of candidate molecules.
Dr. Dean W. Hum, CSO of GENFIT, declared: «We are very pleased to have produced new molecules that show efficacy in preclinical models. This discovery opens the way to novel treatments for metabolic diseases. The results are even more pertinent in view of human data, available since the recent publication of genetic information that associates the nuclear receptor Rev-Erba with metabolic processes in adult and adolescent populations.»
Jean-François Mouney, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GENFIT, concluded: «We are delighted that we initiated our research program on the receptor Rev-Erba very early, and of the significant progress we have made. The results obtained with our proprietary molecules acting on this receptor enable us to strengthen our pipeline of drug candidates, and clearly show that an ambitious preclinical development program can now be undertaken. At this stage, we are very pleased with the interest generated by these results and with the intensity of the discussions - naturally in-depth given the financial and scientific stakes involved - that are currently in progress with several pharmaceutical companies.»
About GENFIT:
GENFIT is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the Discovery and Development of drug candidates in therapeutic fields linked to cardiometabolic disorders (prediabetes/diabetes, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, inflammatory diseases.). GENFIT uses a multi-pronged approach based on early diagnosis, preventive solutions, and therapeutic treatments and advances therapeutic research programs, either independently or in partnership with leading pharmaceutical companies, including Sanofi, to address these major public health concerns and their unmet medical needs.
GENFIT's research programs have resulted in the creation of a rich and diversified pipeline of drug candidates at different stages of development, including GENFIT's lead proprietary compound, GFT505, that is currently in Phase II.
With facilities in Lille, France, and Cambridge, MA (USA), the Company has approximately 80 employees. GENFIT is a public company listed on the Alternext trading market by Euronext(TM) Paris (Alternext: ALGFT; ISIN: FR0004163111). www.genfit.com
Contacts:
GENFIT
Jean-François Mouney - CEO & Chairman of the Management Board
Ph. +333 2016 4000
Milestones - Press Relations
Bruno Arabian
Ph. +33 1 7544 8740 / +336 8788 4726 - barabian@milestones.fr
