Asmacure to Present Four Posters on Novel Pulmonary Development Compound ASM-024 at American Thoracic Society 2013 International Conference

QUEBEC CITY, May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Asmacure Ltee, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel, proprietary compounds that target cholinergic receptors for the treatment of pulmonary diseases, today announced that the company will present four posters at the 2013 American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference, taking place May 17-22 in Philadelphia. All four will describe data around ASM-024, Asmacure's lead development compound, currently in development for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Following are details for each embargoed session (all Eastern Daylight Time):

Sunday, May 19:

• Smooth Muscle Relaxant Profile Of ASM-024, A New Compound With Dual Nicotinic And Muscarinic Activity- Comparison With Muscarinic Antagonists (Poster #F76)
  Lead author: Evelyne Israel-Assayag, M.Sc., Asmacure
  Poster session A43 – COPD Treatment: Novel Agents and Safety Studies (Halls C-D)
  8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  
  Exploration Of The Mechanism Underlying The Relaxation Response Induced By ASM-024 On Guinea-pig Tracheas (Poster #507)
  Lead author: Marie-Josee Beaulieu, M.Sc., Universite, Quebec, Qc , Canada
  Poster Discussion Session A108 – Airway Smooth Muscle: New Ways to Relax and Behave (Room 201C)
  2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Monday, May 20:

• Effects Of ASM-024, A New Compound With Dual Nicotinic And Muscarinic Activity, On Airway Responsiveness And Allergen-Induced Responses In Mild Asthmatics (Poster #B25)
  Lead author: Louis-Philippe Boulet, M.D., Universite Laval, Quebec, Qc, Canada
  Poster session B32 – Advances in Asthma Therapy (Halls C-D)
  8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Relaxant Effects Of ASM-024, A New Compound With Dual Nicotinic And Muscarinic Activity, On b 2-Agonist Desensitized Guinea-Pig Tracheas (Poster #B41)
  Lead author: Yvon Cormier, M.D., Asmacure and Universite Laval
  Poster session B32 – Advances in Asthma Therapy (Halls C-D)
  8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

About Asthma
Asthma is a reversible obstructive lung disease, caused by increased reaction of the airways to various stimuli. It is a chronic inflammatory condition with acute exacerbations. Asthma can be a life-threatening disease if not properly managed. According to the American Lung Association in 2011 it was estimated that 25.9 million Americans currently have asthma, including 7.1 million children under 18. Of these, 13.2 million Americans (4.1 million children) had an asthma attack. Close to 2.1 million emergency room visits were attributed to asthma in 2009.

About ASM-024
The company's lead development compound, ASM-024, with its novel mechanism of action, has demonstrated the capabilities of inhibitory effects on inflammation, bronchoprotection and smooth muscle relaxation in pre-clinical asthma models. ASM-024 delivered as a solution for nebulization achieved proof of concept in the treatment of patients with asthma in a phase 2 clinical trial program. The company is now focused on bridging from the ASM-024 solution formulation to the development of the compound in a dry powder for inhalation (DPI) dosage form. Typically, DPI's are a preferred dosage form for pulmonary products by allowing for delivery of lower, more optimal dosing with greater lung deposition.

ASM-024 demonstrated a highly-significant effect on FEV₁ and methacholine PC₂₀ pre-allergen challenge in a phase 2 study utilizing the solution for nebulization formulation. In pre-clinical asthma models, ASM-024 has demonstrated an adjunctive benefit when combined with long- and short-acting ß-agonists and long- and short-acting muscarinic antagonists.

Based on recent findings about the novel mechanism of action for ASM-024 with nicotinic and muscarinic effects, Asmacure will initiate a phase 2 study in COPD patients in the third quarter of this year.

About Asmacure
Asmacure Ltee is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel, proprietary compounds that target cholinergic receptors for the treatment of inflammation, notably pulmonary airway diseases. The company's lead compound, ASM-024, has a novel mechanism with multi-functional properties at the nicotinic and muscarinic levels. Asmacure was founded by Dr. Yvon Cormier, a noted pulmonologist, and Evelyne Israel-Assayag in 2002 and is based in Quebec City, (Quebec) Canada. Asmacure is a privately-held company with the major investors including Domain Associates, Fonds de solidarite des travailleurs du Quebec (F.T.Q.) and Desjardins-Innovatech s.e.c. For more information visit www.asmacure.com.

Contact:
E. Blair Schoeb
Tel: 917-432-9275
[email protected]

SOURCE Asmacure