Matinas BioPharma Receives Notice of Allowance of U.S. Patent for Encochleated siRNA
Patent Provides Pathway to Development of Orally Administered RNA Based Therapies
BEDMINSTER, N.J., Oct. 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:MTNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying and developing safe and effective therapeutics for the treatment of serious and life-threatening infections, today announced that it received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") for U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/038,810 entitled, “Cochleate Compositions Directed Against Expression of Proteins.”
The allowed patent claims cover the Company's proprietary methods related to the composition and the formation of encochleated siRNA for potential use as therapy for regulating gene expression.
“This patent allowance is another example of the ability of our unique lipid-crystal nano-particle cochleate formulation technology to be utilized as a targeted delivery vehicle for numerous promising therapeutic agents which, up to now, have experienced challenges with in-vivo transport and distribution to tissues and organs,” said Roelof Rongen, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our cochleate technology has the potential to be delivered by oral administration therapeutic oligonucleotide agents safely and effectively to advance the vast potential of gene therapy in areas such as genetic disorders, cancer and immunotherapy.”
Jerome D. Jabbour, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, said, "The issuance of this encochleated siRNA patent will further strengthen the intellectual property portfolio for the library of transformational cochleate bio-delivery platform technology research assets developed under the leadership of co-inventor, Dr. Raphael J. Mannino, our Chief Technology Officer.”
Matinas BioPharma’s lipid-crystal nano-particle encapsulation technology was developed in collaboration with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, which has granted the Company exclusive worldwide licenses under applicable patents. Based on the timing of this Notice of Allowance, Matinas BioPharma expects the forthcoming encochleated siRNA patent to be issued by the end of 2015.
About Matinas BioPharma
Matinas BioPharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying and developing safe and effective broad spectrum therapeutics for the treatment of serious and life-threatening infections. The Company's proprietary, disruptive technology utilizes lipid-crystal nano-particle cochleates to nano-encapsulate existing drugs, making them safer, more tolerable, less toxic and orally bioavailable. The Company's lead drug candidate is MAT2203, an orally-administered, encochleated formulation of amphotericin B (a broad spectrum fungicidal agent). The Company also intends to file an investigational new drug application (IND) for MAT2501, which is an orally-administered, encochleated formulation of amikacin (a broad spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic agent) for gram-negative and intracellular bacterial infections. In addition, the Company is exploring development and partnership options for MAT9001, a prescription-only omega-3 fatty acid-based composition under development for hypertriglyceridemia, which has shown superiority versus Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl) in reducing serum triglycerides, Total- and Non-HDL-Cholesterol, apolipoproteins and PCSK9 levels.
The Company's lead anti-infective product candidates, MAT2203 and MAT2501, position Matinas BioPharma to become a leader in the safe and effective delivery of anti-infective therapies utilizing its proprietary lipid-crystal nano-particle cochleate formulation technology.
For more information, please visit www.matinasbiopharma.com and connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google+.
Forward Looking Statements: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to the Company's strategic focus and the future development of its product candidates, including MAT2203, the anticipated timing of regulatory submissions, the anticipated timing of clinical studies, the Company’s ability to identify and pursue development and partnership opportunities for its MAT9001 on favorable terms, if at all, and the ability to obtain required regulatory approval and other statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "could," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain additional capital to meet our liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all, including the additional capital which will be necessary to complete the clinical trials of our product candidates; our ability to successfully complete research and further development and commercialization of our product candidates; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing; the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; our ability to maintain and derive benefit from the Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast Track designations for MAT2203, which does not change the standards for regulatory approval or guarantee regulatory approval on an expedited basis, or at all; our ability to protect the Company's intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel or consultants; competition; changes in the regulatory landscape or the imposition of regulations that affect the Company's products; and the other factors listed under "Risk Factors" in our filings with the SEC, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Matinas BioPharma's product candidates are all in a development stage and are not available for sale or use.
Investor Contact Jenene Thomas Jenene Thomas Communications, LLC Phone: +1 (908) 938-1475 Email: jthomas@matinasbiopharma.com Media Contact David Connolly LaVoieHealthScience Phone: +1 (617) 374-8800 Email: dconnolly@lavoiehealthscience.com
Released October 26, 2015