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BELLUS Health and AmorChem Announce a Partnership to Develop Drug Candidates for AL Amyloidosis
LAVAL, QC , Oct. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - BELLUS Health Inc. (TSX: BLU) ("BELLUS Health" or th...
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[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\nLAVAL, QC, Oct. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - BELLUS Health Inc. (TSX: BLU) (\"BELLUS Health\" or the \"Company\"), a drug\n development company focussed on rare diseases, today announced an\n agreement with AmorChem Holdings Inc. (\"AmorChem\") to develop drug\n candidates for the treatment of AL amyloidosis.\n\n\n\"This partnership for AL amyloidosis enables the Company to continue\n strengthening its pipeline of rare disease programs that include Kiacta\n in Phase III for AA amyloidosis, and clinical-stage Shigamabs for\n STEC-related Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome,\" said Roberto Bellini, Chief\n Executive Officer of BELLUS Health. \"The transaction is cash neutral\n and non-dilutive for BELLUS Health while still providing shareholders a\n significant stake in the program.\"\n\n\nAL amyloidosis is a rare disease in which proteins build up in various\n parts of the body, mainly the kidneys, heart, liver and peripheral\n nerves.  As these proteins accumulate, they disrupt the structure and\n function of the affected tissues and organs leading to organ failure\n and eventually, death. The median survival time of patients with AL\n amyloidosis is one to two years from diagnosis. Currently, there is no\n specific treatment for the disease; patients are treated with high dose\n chemotherapy or stem cell transplant.  AL amyloidosis affects\n approximately 15,000 patients in the United States and Europe.\n\n\nAs part of the co-development agreement, BELLUS Health will provide\n proof-of-concept data, know-how and expertise.  AmorChem will fund the\n synthesis to be done at NuChem Therapeutics inc. and the biological\n testing to confirm the compounds' potential in established models of AL\n amyloidosis.\n\n\n\"We are excited to work with BELLUS Health and leverage our expertise as\n an efficient and effective contributor to scientifically-innovative\n projects that have the potential to address a significant, unmet\n medical need,\" said Inès Holzbaur, general partner at AmorChem.\n\n\n\"AmorChem is very gratified to be able to bring together the expertise\n of three groups in a joint effort such as this one, and especially in\n the field of rare disease such as AL amyloidosis,\" said Elizabeth\n Douville, general partner at AmorChem.\n\n\nAbout BELLUS Health (www.bellushealth.com)\n\n\nBELLUS Health is developing a portfoli...