Disc Medicine Announces Several Presentations Across Hematology Portfolio at the 64th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

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Dec 13, 2022, 09:00 ET

WATERTOWN, Mass., Dec. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Disc Medicine, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel treatments for patients living with serious hematologic diseases, presented five posters spanning several of its hematology programs at the 64^th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition held in New Orleans, LA.

"Disc Medicine continues to make considerable progress towards the development of potentially first-in-class therapeutic candidates for hematologic disorders," said John Quisel, J.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at Disc Medicine. "The five presentations at the ASH Annual Meeting demonstrate the remarkable work of our team to develop novel candidates that are designed to target fundamental pathways with validated roles in red blood cell biology."

A copy of each poster presentation from the ASH Annual Meeting is available on Disc's website.

Bitopertin: Bitopertin is an investigational, orally administered inhibitor of glycine transporter 1, GlyT1, that is designed to inhibit heme biosynthesis, with two Phase 2 trials currently ongoing in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a disease characterized by extreme phototoxic reactions and liver disease caused by an accumulation of the heme metabolite metal-free PPIX.

Poster 2346: BEACON: A Phase 2, Randomized, Open Label Study of Bitopertin to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Efficacy, and Protoporphyrin IX Concentrations in Participants with Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)

BEACON Phase 2 study is an ongoing randomized, open-label, multiple dose clinical trial being conducted in Australia, designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of bitopertin in patients with EPP or X-linked protoporphyria (XLP)
Patients will be stratified by average time to prodrome then randomized into two open-label parallel arms of 20mg (<30 minutes to prodrome) and 60mg (>30 minutes to prodrome) oral bitopertin once daily for 24 weeks
Primary endpoint is the percent change from baseline in metal-free protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) levels
Key secondary endpoint is total hours of sunlight exposure from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on days with no pain, and other secondary endpoints include the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, and the safety and tolerability of bitopertin
Upon completion of the 24-week treatment period, patients have the option of continuing in an open-label extension of the study

Poster 3661: Bitopertin, a Selective Glycine Transporter 1 Inhibitor, Reduced PPIX Level and Improved Liver Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)

Data demonstrated that bitopertin, an investigational, orally available selective inhibitor of GlyT1, can reduce PPIX accumulation in blood and reduce cholestasis and fibrosis in the liver of an EPP mouse model
Mice that received 100 ppm and 200 ppm bitopertin exhibited a 31% and 49% reduction in free PPIX in blood, respectively
Bitopertin treatment led to 51% and 45% reductions in PPIX concentration in the livers of EPP mice at 100 ppm and 200 ppm, respectively
Addition of bitopertin to the diet of EPP mice reduced the incidence of ductular reaction and the severity of liver fibrosis, with 60% of the control group exhibiting ductular reaction as compared to 30% of the 100 ppm bitopertin group and 10% of the 200 ppm bitopertin group as evaluated through histopathological analysis
We believe these data suggest that bitopertin may be disease-modifying and may be effective in treating the photosensitivity and modifying the hepatoxicity in EPP patients

DISC-0974: DISC-0974 is an investigational monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-signaling co-receptor called hemojuvelin (HJV) and is designed to suppress hepcidin production and increase serum iron levels in patients suffering from anemia of inflammation.

Poster 2339: DISC-0974, an Anti-Hemojuvelin Antibody, Reduces Hepcidin and Mobilizes Iron in Healthy Volunteers

A double blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1a study in healthy volunteers, evaluated single ascending doses of DISC-0974 at 7mg and 28mg IV and 14mg, 28mg, and 56mg SC
DISC-0974 demonstrated favorable PK profiles, and important aspects of the compound's pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD) relationship were observed
Demonstrated tolerability, with only Grade 1 adverse events observed across all dose levels
DISC-0974 was shown to lower serum hepcidin-25 and increase serum iron in a dose-dependent manner.
56mg SC dose group (N=6) also showed an increase in red blood cells and hemoglobin compared to placebo
A study of once-monthly dosing of DISC-0974 is ongoing in myelofibrosis and anemia patients (NCT05320198) and studies are planned in other diseases with anemia of inflammation, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Poster 3641: DISC-0974, an Anti-Hemojuvelin (HJV) Monoclonal Antibody, Reduced Hepcidin and Improved Anemia in a Rat Model of Chronic Kidney Disease

Treatment of adenine-induced rat models of CKD with DISC-0974 resulted in a reduction in HAMP gene expression in the liver as measured at the end of the study, consistent with the proposed mechanism of action of blocking the formation of the BMP/BMPR/HJV complex
DISC-0974 led to a reduction in serum hepcidin levels, increased iron availability, and substantially prevented the reduction in hemoglobin that is seen in animals with renal impairment induced by adenine
Study provides preclinical proof of concept for the development of DISC-0974 for the treatment of patients with CKD anemia and Disc is planning a Phase 2 study of DISC-0974 in CKD anemia

DISC-0998: DISC-0998 is an investigational, potent and highly selective HJV mAb engineered with the mutation combination of T250Q/M429L (QL-mutation) in the Fc region, which is designed to alter binding to the FcRn receptor and increase PK half-life.

Poster 3657: Preclinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of DISC-0998, a Humanized Anti-Hemojuvelin (HJV) Monoclonal Antibody to Suppress the Production of Hepcidin

Study evaluated the PK/PD relationships of DISC-0998 with hepcidin, serum iron, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) in male cynomolgus monkeys
Following single SC or IV dose, DISC-0998 exhibited low clearance (SC CL/F 0.14 - 0.83 mL/hr/kg, IV CL 0.14 mL/hr/kg), small volume of distribution (Vz 50 -104 mL/kg), and nonlinear PK as expected for a mAb
Compared to DISC-0974, DISC-0998 clearance was 33% lower, and half-life (t_1/2) was over 2 times longer
Findings support further development of DISC-0998 for disorders related to anemia of inflammation, with the potential for less frequent dosing compared to DISC-0974

About Disc Medicine

Disc Medicine is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with hematologic disorders. We are building a portfolio of innovative, potentially first-in-class therapeutic candidates that are designed to affect fundamental pathways of red blood cell biology. We are committed to developing treatments that empower and bring hope to the many patients who suffer from hematologic diseases. For more information, please visit www.discmedicine.com.

On August 10, 2022, Gemini Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GMTX) ("Gemini") and Disc Medicine, Inc. ("Disc"), announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to combine the companies in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will focus on advancing Disc's pipeline of hematology programs, including multiple clinical trials for its clinical-stage programs bitopertin and DISC-0974. Upon shareholder approval, the combined company is expected to operate under the name Disc Medicine, Inc. and trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol IRON. The merger and related financing are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022. For more information visit: https://www.discmedicine.com/news/gemini-therapeutics-and-disc-medicine-announce-merger-agreement/.

Disc Medicine Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the federal securities laws concerning the proposed transaction between Disc and Gemini including whether and when the proposed transaction will be consummated; statements about the structure, timing and completion of the proposed transaction; and other matters, including Disc's expectations with respect to its AURORA and BEACON clinical trials and Phase 1b/2a clinical study of DISC-0974 in myelofibrosis and anemia, its plans to initiate a Phase 2 study of DISC-0974 in chronic kidney disease, and other statements that are not historical in nature. These forward-looking statements include express or implied statements relating to Disc's management team's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. 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The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of the proxy statement/prospectus included in the registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Initial Registration Statement"), which was initially filed on September 2, 2022, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Initial Registration Statement filed with the SEC on October 7, 2022, Amendment No. 2 to the Initial Registration Statement filed with the SEC on November 3, 2022, Amendment No. 3 to the Initial Registration Statement filed with the SEC on November 23, 2022 and Amendment No. 4 to the Initial Registration Statement filed with the SEC on December 1, 2022 (together with the Initial Registration Statement, the "Registration Statement") and declared effective on December 2, 2022, in connection with the transaction and other documents filed by Gemini from time to time with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of Disc's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties may in the future be amplified by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and there may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. Disc's forward-looking statements only speak as of the date they are made, and Gemini and Disc do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

No Offer or Solicitation

In connection with the proposed transaction between Gemini and Disc, Gemini filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, as amended, containing a definitive proxy statement/prospectus of Gemini. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on December 2, 2022, and the special meeting of Gemini stockholders is scheduled to be held on December 28, 2022. GEMINI URGES INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS TO READ THESE MATERIALS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GEMINI, DISC, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and shareholders are able to obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by Gemini with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders should note that Gemini communicates with investors and the public using its website (www.geminitherapeutics.com) and the investor relations website (https://investors.geminitherapeutics.com/) where anyone is able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by Gemini with the SEC and stockholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus/information statement and the other relevant materials before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the proposed transaction.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

Participants in the Solicitation

Gemini, Disc and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about Gemini's directors and executive officers is included in Gemini's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including any information incorporated therein by reference as filed with the SEC, and the definitive proxy/prospectus filed by Gemini with the SEC on December 2, 2022, and any amendments thereto as filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

SOURCE Disc Medicine