Alethia Biotherapeutics Announces Issuance of its Second Therapeutic Target Patent Stemming from its Proprietary Target Discovery Platform

Alethia Biotherapeutics Inc., has announced the issuance of US patent number 7,989,160 entitled "Polynucleotide and Polypeptide Sequences Involved in the Process of Bone Remodeling". This key patent provides protection for identification of Siglec-15 inhibitors of osteoclast differentiation.

Mr. Yves Cornellier, President & CEO of Alethia commented, "This second target patent represents another important milestone for the Company as it validates the discovery capabilities and the strategy of the organization to focus on the development of monoclonal antibodies against novel proprietary targets. This patent is the second of a series of patents for protection of other novel targets to be issued in the coming months."

Alethia used its proprietary subtractive cloning technology, called STAR, to discover new mRNA sequences that are expressed in differentiating osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption.

Osteoclasts, which normally participate in bone remodeling, a process that occurs naturally throughout life to maintain skeletal structure, are cells that can become over-active in diseases where severe bone loss occurs.

Work performed at Alethia has demonstrated an important functional role for Siglec-15 in differentiating osteoclasts and inhibitors of this protein, such as monoclonal antibodies, lead to impairment of their function.

Dr. Mario Filion, Chief Scientific Officer of Alethia commented, "We are pleased to secure this important patent as we believe Siglec 15 is a critical therapeutic target for the development of new bone anti-resorptives with improved specificity".