Virobay and LEO Pharma Initiate a Phase 1 Trial of VBY-891, a Compound Intended for Oral Treatment of Psoriasis

PR52445

MENLO PARK, California and BALLERUP, Denmark, Mar. 18 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

     Virobay, Inc. and LEO Pharma A/S today announced that their collaboration

on the development of an oral treatment for psoriasis has reached an important

milestone as Virobay has now initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of VBY-891 - a

selective cathepsin S inhibitor.

    (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130221/595427 )

    The first Phase 1 trial of VBY-891 is a double-blind, randomized,

placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability,

pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple escalating doses

of VBY-891 in healthy adults.

    "The initiation of this Phase 1 trial represents a significant development

objective for Virobay's collaboration with LEO Pharma," stated Robert Booth,

Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Virobay. "Virobay has plans to initiate

clinical studies with additional cathepsin inhibitors during 2013 as we seek to

develop new therapies for underserved diseases. Published prelinical data

suggest that cathepsin S inhibition may provide a therapeutic benefit in

patients with dermatological disorders such as psoriasis. In addition, our own

preclinical data with selective cathepsin S inhibitors has demonstrated

efficacy in models of both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis," stated Robert

Booth. "We look forward to assessing the data from these Phase 1 trials, which

will incorporate the evaluation of several biomarkers, to guide our Phase 2

clinical development plans for VBY-891."

    "Reaching this important milestone in our collaboration with Virobay brings

us one step closer to provide an oral treatment for psoriasis patients. We

believe that VBY-891 has the potential to provide an oral treatment that may

alleviate symptoms of psoriasis. LEO Pharma strives to constantly expand and

improve treatment options for patients and this is an important example of our

commitment to meeting patient needs. To the best of our knowledge, the VBY-891

compound has the potential to be the first in class on the market," said Kim

Kjoller, Senior Vice President, Global Development, LEO Pharma.

    Background

    About Cathepsin S and VBY-891

    Cathepsin S is a member of the cysteine protease family of cathepsin

inhibitors that catalyzes the final proteolytic step in the processing of

invariant chain in specific antigen presenting cells. This step is essential in

the maturation and loading of MHC Class II with antigenic peptides and

subsequent activation of CD4+ T cells. Continuous presentation of antigenic

self-peptides is thought to be involved in the maintenance of chronic disease

in autoimmune disorders, including psoriasis. Inhibition of cathepsin S is

likely to result in a reduction in antigen presentation without an impact on

innate immunity.

    VBY-891 is a next generation cathepsin S inhibitor that is a potent,

competitive and reversible inhibitor of purified cathepsin S. It has picomolar

inhibitory potency against the cathepsin S enzyme and nanomolar inhibitory

potency in cellular assays. VBY-891 is also highly selective against human

cathepsins L, B, F and K. Sustained cathepsin S inhibition after oral dosing

has been demonstrated in vivo through the use of a biomarker. VBY-891 shows

potent inhibitory activity in models of autoimmunity and neuropathic pain.

Therefore, inhibition of cathepsin S may have therapeutic potential across a

range of dermatological conditions.

    About the collaboration

    The multi-million dollar collaboration between Virobay Inc. and LEO Pharma

A/S was entered in 2012 when LEO Pharma in-licensed the promising compound from

Virobay. The collaboration agreement involves up-front payment to Virobay of

USD 7m, followed by milestone payments totalling up to USD 300m and tiered to

royalties. The compound has been tested in pre-clinical studies and the project

is now entering the next phase - a phase 1 clinical trial in healthy human

volunteers. After this trial has been completed, the plan is to do testing on

psoriasis patients later this year. If the process proceeds as planned, the

collaboration may result in an oral treatment for psoriasis in 6-7 years.

    About Virobay, Inc.

    Founded in 2006, Virobay is a leader in the design, synthesis and

development of small molecule inhibitors of cysteine proteases, a class of

enzymes that are key mediators in a variety of diseases, including

autoimmunity, neuropathic pain, liver disease, cancer and cardiovascular

disorders. Virobay's clinical pipeline currently includes product candidates in

autoimmune disease, neuropathic pain and liver fibrosis. For more information,

please visit http://www.virobayinc.com

    About LEO Pharma

    LEO Pharma helps people achieve healthy skin. By offering care solutions to

patients in more than 100 countries globally, LEO Pharma supports people in

managing their skin conditions. Founded in 1908 and owned by the LEO

Foundation, the healthcare company has devoted decades of research and

development to delivering products and solutions to people with skin

conditions. LEO Pharma is headquartered in Denmark and employs approximately

5,000 people worldwide.

    For more information, visit:  http://www.leo-pharma.com.

    SOURCE: Virobay, Inc., and LEO Pharma A/S