WASHINGTON, April 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanda
Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Vanda") (Nasdaq: VNDA) and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) today
announced a research partnership focused on the investigation of
small molecules with the potential to treat COVID-19. The
collaboration will include the use of a high-throughput screening
assay to identify small molecules that may prevent cathepsin-L
cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) glycoproteins that are required
for viral processing in the host cell.
"We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with the
University of Illinois College of
Medicine to enhance our efforts to bring new treatments to
patients," said Mihael H.
Polymeropoulos, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer
of Vanda. "Our collaboration further propels Vanda's recently
launched COVID-19 therapeutics program that includes multiple
molecular approaches in therapeutics development. In addition to
the cornerstone work that we will conduct with the University
regarding cathepsin-L enzyme inhibition, we are also exploring
drugs that may block SARS-CoV-2 virus entry at the angiotensin
converting enzyme 2 receptor, and the transmembrane protease serine
2 precursor. Included within the therapeutics program is the
initiation of ODYSSEY, a study of tradipitant in hospitalized
patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, which was announced on
April 2, 2020 and will start in
New York shortly."
SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses depend on cathepsin L for
processing in target cells. The viral glycoproteins need to be
primed by protease cleavage, activating them for fusion with the
host cell membrane. Previous research has demonstrated the
potential of small molecules to inhibit the cathepsin L cleavage of
viral peptides with minimal inhibition of physiological substrate
cleavage.1 By joining forces with the UIC, Vanda is
expanding its research capabilities by gaining access to additional
expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to build on these
findings.
"We can readily deploy the high-throughput screening we had
developed to successfully screen for small molecules that
specifically inhibited cathepsin-L mediated cleavage of SARS,
Ebola, Hendra and Nipah derived proteins, and entry of pseudotyped
virus into cells," said UIC's Dr. Bellur S.
Prabhakar, the Principal Investigator. "Given the similarity
between SARS-CoV and COVID-19, we expect to identify potential drug
candidates to treat COVID-19 infection. This partnership with
Vanda, in collaboration with the UIC's Center for Drug Discovery
and Development, led by Dr. Gregory
Thatcher, and High-Throughput Screening Core, led by Dr.
Kiira Ratia, will bring together
complementary expertise to potentially speed up drug
discovery."
"Drug discovery is a complex process and requires expertise in
areas such as virology, drug screening, medicinal chemistry, and
drug development," said Dr. Mark
Rosenblatt, Executive Dean, University
of Illinois College of Medicine. "This collaborative
effort with Vanda, led by Dr. Prabhakar at the UIC, significantly
increases the probability of success."
References:
- Elshabrawy, Hatem A., Fan, Jilao, Haddad, Christine S., Ratia,
Kiira, Broder, Christopher C., Caffrey, Michael, Prabhakar, Bellur
S. 2014. Identification of a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Small
Molecule against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus and
Ebola, Hendra, and Nipah Viruses by Using a Novel High-Throughput
Screening Assay. Journal of Virology, University of Illinois.
About Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Vanda is a leading
global biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and
commercialization of innovative therapies to address high unmet
medical needs and improve the lives of patients. For more on Vanda
Pharmaceuticals Inc., please visit www.vandapharma.com.
About the University of Illinois at
Chicago
Located in the heart of one of the world's
great cities, the University of Illinois at
Chicago is a vital part of the educational, technological
and cultural fabric of the region. As Chicago's only public research university with
more than 33,000 students, 16 colleges, a hospital and health
sciences system, UIC provides students access to excellence and
opportunity. The University of Illinois
College of Medicine, part of UIC, is one of the largest
medical schools in the country. Its diverse student body of over
1,300 students hails from a wide variety of cultural and economic
backgrounds. The college's four campuses—located in Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, and Urbana — take advantage of the state's urban
and rural environments and offer numerous opportunities for
clinical training and research.
Vanda Contact:
AJ Jones II
Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer
Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
202-734-3400
pr@vandapharma.com
UIC Contact:
Jackie
Carey
Associate Director of Public Affairs
University of Illinois at Chicago
jmcarey@uic.edu
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING
STATEMENTS
Various statements in this release are
"forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. These
forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements
regarding Vanda's collaboration with the UIC to identify promising
small molecules, the ability to develop those molecules into new
treatments and the status of Vanda's ODYSSEY study. Forward-looking
statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks,
changes in circumstances, assumptions and uncertainties. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those reflected in Vanda's forward-looking statements include,
among others: the ability of Vanda and UIC to identify molecules
that may be effective in treating COVID-19; the ability to complete
the development and obtain FDA approval of any of these molecules;
Vanda's ability to enroll patients for its ODYSSEY study; and other
factors that are set forth in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" sections of Vanda's annual report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,
which is on file with the SEC and available on the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov. Additional factors may be set forth in those sections
of Vanda's annual report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
March 31, 2020, to be filed with the
SEC in the second quarter of 2020. In addition to the risks
described above and in Vanda's annual report on Form 10-K and
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, other unknown or unpredictable
factors also could affect Vanda's results. There can be no
assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by
Vanda will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that
they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Vanda.
Therefore, no assurance can be given that the outcomes stated in
such forward-looking statements and estimates will be achieved. All
written and verbal forward-looking statements attributable to Vanda
or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to
herein. Vanda cautions investors not to rely too heavily on the
forward-looking statements Vanda makes or that are made on its
behalf. The information in this release is provided only as of the
date of this release, and Vanda undertakes no obligation, and
specifically declines any obligation, to update or revise publicly
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
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SOURCE Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.