Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Announces Issuance of Patents for CAT-1000 and CAT-2000 Series

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Inc., announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued patents that cover CAT-1000 and CAT-2000 series compounds. One patent (U.S. Patent No. 8,173,831) covers the CAT-1000 series' conjugation of salicylate and an omega-3 fatty acid using Catabasis' SMART Linker technology; the compounds in this series are intended to treat diseases involving chronic inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. CAT-2000 series' patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 8,304,551 and 8,304,552) cover SMART Linker conjugation of niacin and an omega-3 fatty acid. CAT-2003, the series' lead compound, is being tested for patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. The patents cover composition of matter for both series, including lead products CAT-1004 and CAT-2003, until 2029 and 2030 respectively.

"These patents, along with others in our portfolio, provide multi-layered protection for our SMART Linker conjugates in the CAT-1000 and CAT-2000 series," said Jill Milne, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Catabasis. "The patents validate our unique chemistry platform. We create new compounds, conjugated using our SMART Linker technology, giving us the ability to treat complex human diseases such as inflammatory and metabolic diseases."

About CAT-1004

CAT-1004 is a new chemical entity that is a conjugate of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and salicylate. Catabasis' lead program amplifies the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids and salicylate to target inflammation, an underlying cause of many chronic diseases. A growing body of peer-reviewed research, along with clinical experience, has demonstrated important therapeutic benefits of DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Salicylates are anti-inflammatories with proven clinical efficacy and safety, and have been used safely for years to treat inflammatory bowel disease and other diseases of inflammation. Inhibition of NF-kB in muscle satellite cells has been hypothesized to have a beneficial effect in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Catabasis recently announced positive Phase 1 data for CAT-1004 showing it was safe and well tolerated and that the technology allowed the active components to synergistically inhibit the NF-kB pathway. Phase 2 studies are being planned to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CAT-1004 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and as a replacement for corticosteroids in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

About CAT-2003

CAT-2003 is a new chemical entity that is a conjugate of the B vitamin niacin and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, linked using the company's proprietary SMART Linker technology. It is being investigated for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia. In preclinical models of severe hypertriglyceridemia, a significant and dose-dependent reduction in plasma triglycerides was observed with CAT-2003, while a simple combination of niacin and omega-3 had only a marginal effect. In preclinical models of dyslipidemia, CAT-2003 dramatically reduced LDL cholesterol. In combination with a statin, CAT-2003 synergistically lowered LDL cholesterol. Because CAT-2003 is not activated until it is delivered inside of the target cell, CAT-2003 is not expected to activate the receptor that causes "niacin flush," a side effect characterized by blushing of the skin and a sensation of warmth resulting from blood vessel dilation; this effect can reduce patient compliance. A Phase 1 study of CAT-2003 is ongoing and data is expected in the second half of 2013.

About Catabasis

Catabasis is a clinical-stage company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative, effective and safe medicines to treat inflammatory and metabolic diseases. The company's drug development programs are rooted in the principles of pathway pharmacology, the treatment of diseases by simultaneously modulating more than one target in a disease pathway. Using its proprietary SMART Linker technology, the company conjugates two drugs that act on different components of a disease pathway to produce new chemical entities with significantly enhanced efficacy and an improved safety and tolerability profile. The company has assembled a team of passionate and experienced scientists who are committed to improving the lives of patients. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass.

Please visit www.catabasis.com for more information.

SOURCE Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Inc.