SAN DIEGO, Jan. 29, 2018 — Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CDTX), a biotechnology company developing novel anti-infectives including immunotherapies, today announced that data from preclinical studies evaluating its lead antifungal candidate rezafungin acetate, formerly known as CD101 IV, will be presented at two upcoming medical conferences. Rezafungin abstracts have been accepted for presentation at both the 8th Advances Against Aspergillosis (AAA) Conference in Lisbon, Portugal from February 1-3 and at the 2018 BMT Tandem Meetings in Salt Lake City, Utah from February 21-25. The BMT Tandem Meetings are the combined annual meetings of the Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT).
“Cidara’s presentations at these two important conferences highlight our commitment to exploring the full clinical utility of rezafungin with our scientific collaborators,” said Jeffrey Stein, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Cidara. “This includes the potential of rezafungin in patients with hematologic diseases and those undergoing transplantation who are at significant risk of invasive fungal infections, often with high mortality.”
A total of four poster presentations will highlight the efficacy of rezafungin against serious invasive fungal infections (IFIs), including Candida, Aspergillus and Pneumocystis infections. These infections are especially relevant for patients whose immune systems have been compromised, such as patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or chemotherapy. IFIs are also a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies. The 90-day mortality rate in patients who have a hematologic malignancy or undergo BMT and are then diagnosed with an IFI ranges from 52 to 63 percent.
Specifically, presented data will demonstrate the following potential advantages of rezafungin as compared to the current antifungal standard of care: in vitro activity against azole-resistant Aspergillus; the high concentrations of rezafungin distributing into the lungs; and the rationale for dose selection for the prevention of Aspergillus, Candida and Pneumocystis infections in BMT patients.
Details of the Cidara AAA and BMT Tandem Meetings presentations are as follows:
AAA Conference Presentations (Lisbon, Portugal)
Thursday, February 1: Optimizing Anti-Aspergillus Therapy (9:20 a.m. – 10:55 a.m., WET, Lisboa Congress Centre)
- Abstract #9: The investigational echinocandin CD101 demonstrates potent in vitro activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, including azole-resistant isolates;
N. Wiederhold, et. al. (9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)
Thursday, February 1 – Saturday, February 3: Poster on Display during Conference
- CD101 Lung Tissue and Epithelial Lining Fluid (ELF) Concentrations Substantiate Its Use For Prophylaxis Treatment As Evident In Mouse Disseminated and Pulmonary Aspergillosis Models; V. Ong, et. al.
2018 BMT Tandem Meetings Presentations (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Saturday, February 24: Poster Session II – (6:45 p.m. -7:45 p.m., MST, Salt Palace Convention Center, Hall E)
- Poster #554: CD101, ‘a Perfect Storm’ Against Aspergillus: In Vitro Microbiology, In Vivo Tissue Distribution, and Front Loaded Treatment and Prophylactic Efficacy in Mouse Disseminated and Pulmonary Aspergillosis Infection Models, V. Ong, et. al.
- Poster #568: CD101 Prophylactic Dose Rationale for Prevention of Aspergillus, Candida, and Pneumocystis Infections, S. Flanagan, et. al.
Copies of these posters and presentations will be available on the Cidara website following the meetings: www.cidara.com.
About Invasive Fungal Infections
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) represent a serious threat to millions of patients worldwide, resulting in more than 1.5 million deaths annually and mortality rates ranging from 15 to 65 percent. These infections continue to be a global health issue, especially for critically ill patients in hospitals and patients with compromised immune systems. Of the most significant IFIs, approximately 90 percent of related deaths are primarily caused by Candida, Aspergillus, and Pneumocystis. Candida species are most common in hospital-acquired infections, while Aspergillus species are predominant in patients with weakened immune systems or lung diseases. Pneumocystis infections also commonly afflict immunocompromised patients.
About Cidara Therapeutics
Cidara is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new anti-infectives that have the potential to transform the standard of care and save or improve patients’ lives. The company is currently advancing its novel echinocandin antifungal, rezafungin acetate, formerly called CD101 IV, through Phase 2 and developing CD201, its bispecific antibiotic immunotherapy, for the treatment of multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Rezafungin has improved pharmacokinetics compared to existing echinocandins and has the potential for expanded utility across patient settings. Rezafungin is the only once-weekly product candidate in development for the treatment and prevention of life-threatening invasive fungal infections. CD201 is the first drug candidate selected from Cidara’s novel Cloudbreak™ platform, the first immunotherapy discovery platform designed specifically to create compounds that directly kill pathogens and also direct a patient’s immune cells to attack and eliminate bacterial, fungal or viral pathogens. Cidara has received a grant for up to $6.9 million from CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Accelerator) to advance the development of CD201 and back-up molecules. Cidara is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information, please visit www.cidara.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, the effectiveness, safety, and other attributes of rezafungin and other potential product candidates, including the potential for these compounds to successfully treat or prevent infections, including those caused by resistant pathogens, and augment treatment and prophylaxis strategies in the future, and the potential for rezafungin to have advantages over the current standard of care in the treatment or prevention of invasive fungal infections. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the success and timing of Cidara’s preclinical studies and clinical trials; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; changes in Cidara’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; Cidara’s ability to obtain additional financing; Cidara’s ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; and the loss of key scientific or management personnel. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Cidara’s Form 10-Q most recently filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Cidara undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Robert H. Uhl
Westwicke Partners, LLC
Managing Director
(858) 356-5932
robert.uhl@westwicke.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
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Sam Brown Inc.
615-414-8668
ChristyCurran@sambrown.com
