Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals Announces NIH Collaboration for Testing of SB 9200 Against Multiple Viral Pathogens

MILFORD, Mass., Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of RNA viruses, today announced a research collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for animal testing of the Company's lead compound, SB 9200, against multiple viral pathogens, classified as "Special Pathogens," against which currently there are no effective antiviral therapies. SB 9200, derived from Spring Bank's proprietary Small Molecule Nucleic Acid Hybrid (SMNH) technology platform, is a novel, broad-spectrum anti-viral agent that uniquely acts by selectively modulating the host immune response to viral infections. SB 9200 has recently completed a Phase 1b clinical trial for treatment of Hepatitis C (HCV) and is also being developed for the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

"We are delighted to work closely with the NIH in evaluating SB 9200 against a wide range of viral pathogens, such as Dengue, West Nile and Japanese encephalitis, that pose a significant public health threat and afflict millions worldwide annually," said Douglas J. Jensen, CEO of Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals. "Based on the preclinical safety and efficacy data we have generated against HBV, RSV, and Norovirus, as well as the clinical data generated in our recent Phase 1 study for HCV, we believe that SB 9200 may also have the potential to be a safe and effective treatment for many difficult-to-treat viral diseases."

According to Dr. Kris Iyer, Chief Scientific Officer, "SB 9200 has the potential to be effective against a wide range of RNA viruses and to avoid the emergence of resistance due to its novel mechanism of action.  SB 9200 works by targeting host cytosolic proteins RIG-I and NOD2, which are involved in the recognition of virus infection and induction of antiviral state in cells. In previous studies conducted by Spring Bank, SB 9200 has been shown to modulate the innate immune response by binding and activation of RIG-I and NOD2 proteins, thereby inhibiting viral replication and promoting viral clearance. In addition, SB 9200 is synergistic with other drugs and may potentially be active even against resistant viruses."

About Spring Bank's SMNH Chemistry Platform

Spring Bank's proprietary Small Molecule Nucleic Acid Hybrid (SMNH) chemistry platform produces a novel class of molecules that can be designed to target key disease-associated proteins with a high degree of selectivity while incorporating favorable drug-like attributes including oral delivery. SMNH molecules are small nucleotide chains that can be chemically modified using structural information on validated disease targets, such as proteins and enzymes, as well as, protein-nucleic acid interactions involved in disease processes. SB 9200, the Company's most advanced drug candidate, is under development for the treatment of HCV and HBV.  Spring Bank has research stage programs for RSV and Norovirus.

Contact:

Douglas J. Jensen
President and Chief Executive Officer
(508) 473-5993 x105

SOURCE Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc.