EANS-News: SYGNIS Pharma AG
SYGNIS further strengthens its patent position for
AX200 for the treatment of stroke
15.09.2011 – 10:33
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patents, Copyright & Trademarks Heidelberg (euro adhoc) - SYGNIS further strengthens its patent position for AX200 for the treatment of stroke Heidelberg, September 15, 2011 - SYGNIS Pharma AG (Frankfurt: LIOK; ISIN DE000A1E9B74; Prime Standard), a clinical stage biotech company researching and developing innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the European Patent Office has given two notices regarding their intention to issue additional AX200-patents shortly. The respective patent applications cover the use of AX200 for the acute and chronic stage of a stroke. These additional patents will further strengthen SYGNIS´ patent portfolio of AX200 for the treatment of stroke which consists of six patent families. The claims of the patent application for the treatment of acute stroke cover the actual use and dosage of AX200 as applied in the current Phase II efficacy study of AX200 (AXIS 2) and as intended to be used in clinical practice at a later stage. With a scheduled expiry date of 2028, these claims complement the key patent granted in Europe in 2006 and in the USA in 2009, covering the use of AX200 for the treatment of stroke. The claims of the second patent application cover the treatment of patients with AX200 in the chronic stage of a stroke. They have a scheduled expiry date of 2025 and complement SYGNIS´ IP-position in the early recovery phase following a stroke. Dr. Frank Rathgeb, CMO of SYGNIS commented: "The granting of these patents will considerably strengthen the protection of our approaches for the treatment of stroke with AX200 as well as the actual therapeutic regimen for the acute treatment. Especially with regard to the top-line data of the AXIS 2-trial which we expect to report towards the end of this calendar year, this improved patent position will increase the overall value of the AX200 project and the awareness amongst potential partners." About AX200 AX200 is a biological molecule, developed by SYGNIS for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In the indication stroke it is the most advanced drug candidate in SYGNIS´ product pipeline. AX200 is an endogenous protein. As part of the body's own protective action the production of AX200 is boosted after brain damage. If the molecule is given as a medication it increases the existing endogenous response to the damage. SYGNIS pursues a multiple neurotherapeutic approach in the development of AX200 for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: AX200 stops neuronal cell death in the acute phase of the disease while at the same time stimulating the regeneration of the already damaged CNS through the stimulation of neurogenesis as well as arteriogenesis and the reorganisation of neuronal networks. About SYGNIS Pharma SYGNIS Pharma AG, headquartered in Heidelberg, is a specialty pharmaceutical company listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The Company is focused on the research and development of innovative therapies for the treatment of disorders of the Central Nervous System. SYGNIS´ core projects are currently Acute Stroke for which SYGNIS´ lead clinical programme is AX200, as well as the preclinical KIBRA-project for the treatment of different forms of dementia. All these disorders are characterized by the fact that, as the disease progresses, nerve cells are damaged and die. Although there is great medical demand, there are currently no or only inadequate treatment options available. Furthermore, a key element of the sustainable value creation of the Company is the expansion of the product pipeline, which will be secured through its own developments as well as in-licensing and acquisitions. For further information please contact: SYGNIS Pharma AG: |Dr. Franz-Werner Haas | |Senior Vice President Operations | |+49 (0) 6221 454 812 | |franz-werner.haas@sygnis.de | Media-Contact: Julia Phillips Financial Dynamics Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7269 7187 ### Disclaimer Some statements included in this press release, relating neither to proven financial results nor other historical data, should be viewed as forward- looking, i.e. not definite. Such statements are mainly predictions of future results, trends, plans or goals. These statements should not be considered to be total guarantees since given their very nature they are subject to known and unknown risks and imponderability and can be affected by other factors as a consequence of which the actual results, plans and goals of SYGNIS Pharma AG may deviate greatly from the established conclusions or implied predictions contained in such statements. SYGNIS does not undertake to publicly update or revise these statements in the light of new information or future results or for any other reason. ### Further inquiry note: Michael Wolf Telefon: +49 (6221) 454 - 6 E-Mail: Michael.Wolf@sygnis.de end of announcement euro adhoc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- company: SYGNIS Pharma AG Im Neuenheimer Feld 515 D-69120 Heidelberg phone: +49 (0)6221 454-6 FAX: +49 (0)6221 454-777 mail: contact@sygnis.de WWW: http://www.sygnis.de sector: Biotechnology ISIN: DE000A1E9B74 indexes: CDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, free trade: Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Hannover, München language: English