Aridis Pharmaceuticals Receives Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics to Advance Panaecin™

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company applying proprietary technologies to produce novel anti-infectives and immunotherapies for infectious diseases, announced today it has secured a therapeutics development award from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (CFFT), the drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF).  The award will support the development of Panaecin™ (gallium citrate), Aridis' development-stage therapeutic candidate aimed at treating life-threatening lung infections, through Phase 2a clinical trials in CF patients.  Aridis will also benefit from close collaboration with CFFT's Therapeutics Development Network, the largest CF clinical trials network in the world, which will assist in trial design and execution, and facilitate access to clinical trial sites. 

"We are delighted to receive a significant award from CFFT," stated Vu Truong, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Aridis.  "This funding support highlights the potential of Panaecin™ for the treatment of lung infections, such as chronic infection by gram-negative bacteria P. aeruginosa, which affects approximately 80 percent of adult patients with cystic fibrosis. Additionally, having the support of CFFT in a collaboration on the studies for Panaecin™ will help expedite our research in the hopes of providing a new anti-infective treatment for patients with this disease." 

Dr. Truong continued, "This award further adds to Aridis' history of attaining non-dilutive funding, which now includes more than 15 awards since the company's inception. It is another testament to the strength of Aridis' technology and its potential benefits for patients, including those with cystic fibrosis." 

Panaecin™ has broad bactericidal activity in vitro against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including antibiotic resistant strains and highly antibiotic resistant biofilms.  Panaecin™ is being developed as an inhalable aerosol treatment for lung infections such as those involved in cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and COPD. The core anti-infective activity of Panaecin™ is derived from gallium, which functions as a potent iron analog and inhibits critical iron dependent enzymatic pathways in bacteria such as DNA synthesis, metabolic conversion, electron transport and oxidative stress defense.  Its inhibitory activity is unaffected by resistance to antibiotics and extends to bacteria growing in mature biofilms as well as preventing biofilm formation.

CF is a progressive, genetic disease causing persistent lung infections limiting the ability to breathe over time.  In people with CF, a defective gene causes a thick buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs.  In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive lung damage and eventually, respiratory failure. If approved, Panaecin™ will be utilized to treat these chronic infections.    

About Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Aridis is a privately held biopharmaceutical company applying proprietary monoclonal antibody discovery technology MabIgX® to produce novel infectious disease focused therapies.  Aridis' product pipeline includes AR-101 (or 'Aerumab^™') anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS human monoclonal antibody; AR-301 (or 'Salvecin^™') anti-Staphylococcus aureus human monoclonal antibody to treat acute pneumonia; Aerucin™, a broadly reactive monoclonal antibody against Pseudomonas aeruginosa initially being developed to treat acute pneumonia; Panaecin™, a small molecule anti-infective gallium compound with broad spectrum activities against bacteria, viruses, and fungi; AR- 401 anti-Acinetobacter baumannii human monoclonal antibody; and AR-201 anti-RSV human monoclonal antibody.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the therapeutic applications of AR-101, AR-301, Aerucin™, Panaecin™, AR-401, AR-201, Aridis' proprietary formulation and delivery technologies, about Aridis' strategy, pre-clinical and clinical programs, and ability to identify and develop drugs, as well as other statements that are not historical facts. Actual events or results may differ materially from Aridis' expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timing, success and cost of Aridis' research and clinical studies and its ability to obtain additional financing.  These forward-looking statements represent Aridis' judgment as of the date of this release. Aridis disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. 
Joshua E. Drumm, Ph.D.
[email protected]
212-375-2664

Andrew Mielach (media)
[email protected] 
(212) 375-2694

SOURCE Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.