VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company” or “Algernon”) (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW0) (OTCQB: AGNPF) a Canadian clinical stage pharmaceutical development company, is pleased to announce that it has received a notice of intention to grant from the Chinese Patent Office for patent application No. 112654357 entitled “Compositions and Methods for Treating Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis” with NP-251 (Repirinast).

The invention claims treating lobular inflammation and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and NASH-derived hepatocellular carcinoma, with Repirinast. The base claims of the patent will be valid through 2038, excluding any patent term adjustments or extensions which may provide additional protection. The Company was recently issued patents for Repirinast in NASH from the U.S. and Japan, and has also filed corresponding patent applications in Canada and Europe.

The company previously disclosed that Repirinast, in a widely used STAM™ mouse model of NASH from SMC Laboratories (Japan):

• Reduced hepatic fibrosis by 57% compared to vehicle (p < 0.0001);
• Reduced the NAFLD score, a composite histopathological measure of inflammation, steatosis and ballooning, by 31% compared to vehicle (3.125 vs 4.5 points, p = 0.059);
• In the same model, telmisartan, a positive control and the standard of care for NASH, reduced fibrosis by 27% (p = 0.014)

Repirinast is also the Company’s lead candidate for the treatment of CKD based on data showing it reduced fibrosis by 51% with statistical significance and showed an additive benefit to telmisartan in a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model. Because patients with NAFLD have a two-fold increased risk of CKD, even when controlling for other comorbidities such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance, Repirinast is a strong candidate for both indications.

Algernon’s intellectual property strategy for its repurposed drug program includes protecting its compounds by filing patent applications including method of use, dosing and formulations, and for new composition of matter patents based on novel salt forms.

“We are pleased to receive this notice of intent to grant from the Chinese Patent Office,” said Christopher J. Moreau CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals. “This will be the first patent granted to the Company in China, and it complements multiple other patents issued in other major world markets as part of our comprehensive global intellectual property strategy.”

About Algernon Pharmaceuticals

Algernon Pharmaceuticals is a Canadian clinical stage drug development company investigating multiple drugs for unmet global medical needs. Algernon Pharmaceuticals has active research programs for chronic cough, chronic kidney disease and NASH, and is the parent company of a private subsidiary called Algernon NeuroScience, that is advancing a psychedelic program investigating a proprietary form of psychedelic DMT for stroke and traumatic brain injury.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Christopher J. Moreau
CEO
Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
604.398.4175 ext 701
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www.algernonpharmaceuticals.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: No Securities Exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, licensing, commercialization and regulatory compliance issues and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.