QUANTUM GENOMICS : Quantum Genomics receives all regulatory approvals to start its Phase II clinical trial in hypertension

information fournie par Actusnews •17/11/2014 à 19:00

Quantum Genomics (Alternext - FR0011648971 - ALQGC), a biopharmaceutical company with the mission of developing new therapies for unmet medical needs in the field of cardiovascular diseases, announces today that it received the approvals of ANSM (French Drug Administration) and CPP (Patient Protection Committee) to start a Phase IIa clinical trial using its lead compound QGC001, a first-in-class drug candidate to treat hypertension.

QGC001, an alternative approach to treat hypertension

QGC001 is the first compound of a new class of antihypertensive drugs called BAPAIs (Brain Aminopeptidase A Inhibitors). It is a prodrug which releases in the brain a selective and specific inhibitor of the aminopeptidase A and thus avoids the production of Angiontensin III in the brain.

Currently, more than 50% of patients treated for hypertension do not have a blood pressure which is sufficiently well controlled with existing antihypertensive drugs. Thanks to its unique mechanism of action, QGC001 could be a therapeutic solution for poorly or not controlled patients, especially those with a specific hormonal profile characterized by Low Renin and High Vasopressin (LRHV), whose blood pressure is very difficult to regulate by using classical blockers of the systemic renin-angiotensin pathways.

QGC001 and its therapeutic use are strongly protected by several patent families.

Preclinical and Phases Ia and Ib studies generated positive data regarding QGC001 safety, tolerance, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in animal and human. Thanks to these good results, Quantum Genomics will continue the clinical development of QGC001 by starting a clinical trial Phase IIa to demonstrate its efficacy in hypertensive patients.

The trial will involve several clinical investigation centers in France. Professor Michel Azizi, head of the clinical investigation center at European Hospital Georges Pompidou in Paris, will be the principal investigator.

About hypertension

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a cardiovascular disease defined by blood pressure elevated above standards: systolic blood pressure above 140mmHg and diastolic blood pressure above 90mmHg. Hypertension remains a major problem for Public Health and is a real concern in terms of therapeutics. Despite ongoing progresses, new therapeutic solutions are needed to improve its treatment.

Hypertension causes indirectly, every year, nearly 10 million deaths (9,4 millions of deaths are due to high blood pressure complications - WHO ( World Health Organization ) - A global brief on hypertension, Silent killer, global public health crisis - 2013). More than 50% of strokes and heart infarctions would be caused by hypertension.

Hypertension affects 1 adult out of 3 and the number of adults with hypertension could increase by 60% and reach 1,56 billion by 2025.

Often generated by multiple factors, hypertension could be acute or chronic, with or without evidence of severity.

Hypertension is called resistant when, despite of an adapted lifestyle and the use of three antihypertensive drugs, including a diuretic, it remains well above standards. Today, around 15% of hypertensive patients would be resistant. These patients are a major issue for clinicians.

About Quantum Genomics

Quantum Genomics is a biopharmaceutical company with the mission of developing new therapies for unmet medical needs in the field of cardiovascular diseases, especially high blood pressure and heart failure.

Quantum Genomics is developing a new therapeutic approach based on BAPAI (Brain Aminopeptidase A Inhibition). This is the result of more than twenty years of academic research that has taken place in the laboratories of the Collège de France, INSERM and CNRS.

Quantum Genomics is listed on Alternext in Paris (ISIN code: FR0011648971 - ticker ALQGC).

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