March 25, 2009 - Novel, Oral, Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy with Phase 3 Data Offers Potential Advantages – Alnara Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company developing novel, non-systemic orally-delivered protein therapeutics for the treatment of metabolic diseases, announced a licensing agreement with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT), the nonprofit affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, for the worldwide rights to liprotamase, a novel, oral, porcine-free pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) that has already completed a Phase 3 efficacy trial. Under the terms of the agreement Alnara will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to develop and market liprotamase.Liprotamase (formerly known as ALTU-135 and Trizytek) is designed to treat malabsorption that is the result of pancreatic insufficiency associated with conditions like cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic pancreatitis (CP), in which patients require a significant amount of pancreatic enzyme supplements with each meal. Patients with pancreatic insufficiency cannot properly absorb and digest food due to their disease. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is a lifesaving treatment involving the administration of pancreatic enzymes, and liprotamase, a novel, oral, porcine-free treatment, offers potential advantages over the existing standard of care. Currently, patients are treated with porcine-derived pancreatic enzymes, which vary in potency and stability and have a high pill burden. Alnara believes liprotamase has the potential to overcome these challenges by providing a first-in-class and best-in-class PERT...
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About Alnara
Alnara Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is dedicated to developing novel protein therapeutics for the treatment of metabolic diseases. The company's innovative approach focuses on designing effective protein therapies that can be orally delivered directly to the gastrointestinal tract without being absorbed into the bloodstream. The company is committed to bringing breakthrough new treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Alnara is backed by top-tier venture investors, including Frazier Healthcare Ventures, Third Rock Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners... [PDF] Alnara Pharmaceuticals' Press Release -
