Calgary, Alberta – Marvel Biosciences Corp. (TSXV: MRVL) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Marvel Biotechnology Inc. (collectively the “Company“ or “Marvel“), is pleased to announce that it has initiated the 4-week good laboratory practice (GLP) FDA investigational new drug (IND) enabling dose-ranging dog studies for its lead drug candidate MB-204.
“This dog study is the last of the two key primary animal studies we need to complete before entering phase 1 human clinical testing of our lead asset – MB-204,” said Dr. Mark Williams, Chief Science Officer of Marvel Biosciences. “We are now planning our Phase 1 human trials, likely to be conducted in Australia upon the successful conclusion of this study and the previously commenced 4-week rat GLP study.”
“We look forward to the completion of the rat and dog GLP studies of MB-204, and entering human trials, prior to the end of Q3 2023,” said Rod Matheson, CEO of Marvel Biosciences. “We believe the profile of MB-204 is well-suited to address our primary markets, specifically depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Owing to the immediate effect of the compound, we are confident that it will show the active effects early on in our clinical program.”
In the United States, it is estimated that one in ten senior citizens over the age of 65 suffer from dementia. MB-204 is a novel solution to Alzheimer’s that has similar properties to the Food and Drug Administration-approved drug, Istradefylline. MB-204 has, through the Company’s studies, proven to be more effective and longer lasting than Istradefylline in pre-clinical studies.
MB-204 is a fluorinated derivative of the U.S. FDA-approved adenosine A2a receptor antagonist, Istradefylline. Both Istradefylline and MB-204 are highly active derivatives of caffeine, the most widely consumed psychoactive drug in the world. Caffeine consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as leading to an improved ability to concentrate.
About Marvel Biosciences Corp.
Marvel Biosciences Corp., and its wholly owned subsidiary, Marvel Biotechnology Inc., is a Calgary-based pre-clinical stage pharmaceutical development biotechnology company that utilizes a “drug redevelopment” approach to drug development. Historically, when a new class of drug is developed, it is optimized for a particular target, but typically only approved for a specific disease. Often, a new disease is identified which involves the same target, however, pending the remaining patent life, the originally approved drug may not have sufficient time left for it to be commercially viable to be developed for the new disease indication. Marvel develops new synthetic chemical derivatives of the original approved drug for the new disease indication. Patent protection is sought, as the new potential asset is developed by the Company. The Company believes the business model results in significantly less risk, cost and time to develop its assets compared to traditional biotechnology companies.
Marvel Biotechnology Inc. has currently developed several new chemical entities, using synthetic chemical derivatives of known, off-patent drugs, that inhibit the A2a adenosine receptor with application to neurological diseases (depression & anxiety, Alzheimer’s, ADHD), and the non-neurological conditions of cancer and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Marvel is also exploring additional undisclosed targets to expand its asset pipeline.
Contact Information
Investor Relations:
Virtus Advisory Group
Tel: 416-644-5081
Email: info@virtusadvisory.com
Marvel Biosciences Corp.
J. Roderick (Rod) Matheson, Chief Executive Officer or
Dr. Mark Williams, President and Chief Science Officer
Tel: 403 770 2469