Arisyn Therapeutics Acquires Portfolio of Therapeutic Small Molecules for Infectious Disease and Cancer

Arisyn Therapeutics Inc. (Arisyn) announced that it has successfully acquired from UAF Technologies and Research, L.L.C. (UTR) a series of highly novel small molecule inhibitors with a well-defined preclinical efficacy spectrum against a variety of infectious organisms and cancer.

Under the terms of the assignment, Arisyn will assume the intellectual property portfolio. In return, UTR will receive a cash assignment fee, cash payments on the achievement of certain defined milestones and royalties on future sales of derivative drugs.

The assets involved in the transaction include molecules originally developed by The Proctor and Gamble Company, which were donated in 2003 to UTR for research at the University of Arizona. The therapeutic agents which constitute the portfolio target the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV), influenza virus, herpes viruses, and also include broad based inhibitors of cancer.

Lead compounds from the series for HIV and cancer have already been tested in Phase 1 human clinical trials, while a lead inhibitor of HCV has progressed to the submission of an IND application with the FDA. The compounds inhibit virus replication by a mechanism of action involving inhibition of viral RNA transcription and have been found to be safe in extensive toxicological evaluations.

The continued preclinical and clinical development of the compound portfolio will be performed by ImQuest BioSciences, a Contract Research Organization located in Frederick, MD specializing in the development of drugs for the treatment of infectious disease and cancer.

ImQuest will perform necessary preclinical and clinical studies and manage the evaluation of Arisyn's compounds in human clinical trials, as well as assist Arisyn with the discovery of next generation inhibitors of the therapeutic targets.