Company’s lead drug candidate IMM-124E is well-positioned to pioneer successful treatment for NASH and NAFLD, diseases for which there is no proven effective treatment
Company provides overview of existing clinical trials for IMM-124E that upon execution and analysis, will establish the drug candidate as a leader in the global ‘Dash to NASH’ and other fatty liver disease treatment markets
Company to conduct US west coast investor roadshow following presentation at Rodman & Renshaw 19th Annual Global Investment Conference
MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immuron Limited (ASX:IMC)(NASDAQ:IMRN), an Australian microbiome biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing oral immunotherapeutics for the treatment of many gut mediated diseases, today highlighted a number of recent milestones surrounding its clinical development of IMM-124E, a drug candidate designed to treat multiple forms of fatty liver disease, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
Approximately 16 million, or 5%, of the US population currently suffer from NASH, while 75-100 million Americans are afflicted with NAFLD. This creates a tremendous market opportunity for the handful of biopharmaceutical companies aggressively pursuing effective treatments for these diseases which target the liver. One such company, Intercept Pharmaceutical, recently received attention from the media and capital markets after issuing a letter that warned physicians against overdosing patients on its liver-disease drug, Ocaliva.
Fatty liver diseases are frequently caused by high weight and obesity, genetics, and diet that result in inflammation of the liver. Immuron uses an innovative approach to addressing this condition, one that focuses on treating bacteria of the gut using a specific set of antibodies. Ultimately, IMM-124E is designed to block and reduce bacteria growth without negatively impacting essential microbiota. This process has thus far produced a strong safety profile for IMM-124, whose recent interim analysis indicated no safety concerns or adverse events.
Immuron is currently in the process of executing three clinical trials for its drug candidate, IMM-124E, that it believes represents a solution for the millions of patients suffering from NASH:
Immuron believes that its current strategy of executing three separate clinical trials at the same time for three different, but very related diseases, will ultimately put the Company on a quicker route to commercialization. The proprietary IMM-124 compound has clearly demonstrated its potential to be effective in the treatment of these fatty liver diseases, positioning the Company to fill a true void in the medical community and pharmaceutical industry.
“We are very pleased with the position of our Company and its proprietary technologies within the high growth market for treatments of NASH, NAFLD, and Pediatric NAFLD,” said Dr. Jerry Kanellos, CEO at Immuron. “The narrative for IMM-124E is quite simple – fatty liver disease has long represented challenges for millions of patients and the physicians that treat them. Thus, the market opportunity for a successful, health agency-approved treatment represents potential not only for individuals and the medical community, but also pharmaceutical companies targeting this challenging disease.”
Immuron CEO Dr. Jerry Kanellos recently presented at the Rodman & Renshaw 19th Annual Global Investment Conference in New York City on September 10 – 12. During the presentation, Dr. Kanellos shared updates regarding the Company’s drug candidate pipeline and its various clinical trials, and outlined the market opportunity should the treatments continue to advance towards commercialization. Dr. Kanellos will continue to meet with investors on the US west coast this week.
About Immuron’s IMM-124E:
IMM-124E is a naturally-produced polyclonal antibody biological product intended to prevent and treat liver inflammation and fibrosis from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The dual mechanism of action promotes regulatory T cells which suppress inflammation at the site of disease without inducing generalized immune suppression and without negatively impacting the rest of the gut microbiome. The safety profile also allows for a broad combination with other treatments and supports long-term, chronic use for treatment of mild and moderate patients through oral administration of the anti-LPS antibodies.
COMPANY CONTACT: Jerry Kanellos Chief Executive Officer Ph: +61 (0)3 9824 5254 jerrykanellos@immuron.com | AUS INVESTOR RELATIONS: Peter Taylor NWR Communications Ph: +61 (0)4 1203 6231 peter@nwrcommunications.com.au | USA MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Caruso-Sharpe FischTank Marketing and PR + 1 646 699 1414 kate@fischtankpr.com |
ABOUT IMMURON:
Immuron Ltd (ASX:IMC) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercialising oral immunotherapeutics for the treatment of many gut mediated diseases. Immuron has a unique and safe technology platform that enables a shorter development therapeutic cycle. The Company currently markets and sells Travelan® for the prevention of travellers’ diarrhea whilst its lead product candidate IMM-124E is in Phase 2 clinical trials for NASH and ASH. These products together with the Company’s other preclinical immunotherapy pipeline products targeting immune-related diseases currently under development, will meet a large unmet need in the market. For more information visit: http://www.immuron.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Certain statements made in this release are forward-looking statements and are based on Immuron’s current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “guidance” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although Immuron believes the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Immuron’s control, including those risks or uncertainties inherent in the process of both developing and commercialising technology. As a result, actual results could materially differ from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. Immuron will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this release except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.