Somatoprim reduces human growth hormone secretion safely and effectively in acromegaly patients
Tel Aviv, Israel, 3rd April 2013: Aspireo Pharmaceuticals Limited (“Aspireo”), an Israeli biopharmaceutical company, focused on the development of Somatoprim, a novel somatostatin analog (SSA), today announced results of a phase IIa study in acromegaly patients. The study was designed to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of single ascending doses of Somatoprim (DG3173) in up to 20 treatment-naïve acromegaly patients.
Analysis of the results shows that Somatoprim demonstrated a dose-dependent effect on lowering excess growth hormone (hGH) on treatment-naïve patients suffering from acromegaly. No serious adverse events were reported and the reported adverse events were mild to moderate and of transient nature.
Carsten Dehning, CEO of Aspireo said: “The result of this clinical study provides proof-of-concept that Somatoprim has the potential to be a safe and effective treatment for acromegaly. An analysis of the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic relationship gives us further valuable insight into the dose dependent effectiveness of Somatoprim in reducing growth hormone secretion.”
About Somatoprim
Somatoprim (DG3173) is a novel and proprietary somatostatin analog (SSA) that is based on a novel amino acid composition. Somatoprim has demonstrated a unique receptor binding and pharmacological profile which is significantly differentiated from SSAs that are currently marketed or in clinical development. In particular, Somatoprim has shown an improved side effect profile with reduced adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract and glucose metabolism. Furthermore, assessment of growth hormone secretion in cultured human somatotroph adenoma tissue treated with Somatoprim indicates that it has the potential to increase the response rate of acromegalic patients to SSA therapy. Somatoprim is currently in phase I/II of clinical development. Somatostatin analogs have been approved for the treatment of acromegaly, carcinoid tumours, and Cushing’s disease but have also demonstrated significant potential in diabetic retinopathy. Somatostatin analogs are generating more than USD 1.5 billion in annual sales in a continually growing market.
About Aspireo
Aspireo Pharmaceuticals Ltd is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of a novel somatostatin analog (SSA) for the treatment of diseases resulting from hormone-active tumors, such as acromegaly, neuroendocrine and gastroenteropancreatic tumors, Cushing’s Disease and diabetic retinopathy. Aspireo’s sole development compound is Somatoprim (DG3173), a novel and proprietary somatostatin analog that is based on a novel amino acid composition and a unique backbone cyclization technology used for stabilization of the peptide. Aspireo is an Israeli company established in 2010 by TVM Capital as a Project Focused Company (PFC). For additional information please visit www.aspireopharma.com.