Amura reports osteoarthritis study exceeded expected endpoints

Cambridge, U.K. - 7th April 2009

Amura Therapeutics Limited ("Amura") today announced that a lead compound from its cathepsin K (Cat K) inhibitor programme delivered outstanding results in a meniscal-tear-induced model of osteoarthritis in rat.  The study was performed by Bolder BioPATH Inc, who are world leading experts in the field of arthritic disease, a therapeutic area that is currently poorly met.

The study was designed to monitor the protective effects of a leading Amura Cat K inhibitor on the progressive cartilage damage observed in the rat knee joint following surgically-induced medial meniscal tear.  Results showed that twice daily oral dosing of Cat K inhibitor reduced the severity of collagen breakdown and produced a significant improvement in joint erosion as determined by histopathology and surrogate markers of cartilage damage.  These studies clearly demonstrate the involvement of Cat K in the progression of  osteoarthritis and present Amura's Cat K inhibitors as a first-in class therapeutic opportunity for this poorly met and widespread disease.

This animal efficacy data forms part of a comprehensive pre-clinical package for Amura's lead Cat K inhibitors, which combines pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data, selectivity and safety assessments, with a fully scalable synthetic route and confirms that these superior molecules possess the necessary attributes for advancement into the clinic.

Amura's compounds are derived from its proprietary AMcore™ scaffold, which provides a turnkey solution for inhibitor design against cysteine peptidases of the CAC1 family.  Cysteine peptidases are involved in several diseases and the AMcore™ scaffold provides a powerful platform for discovery of drugs with potential utility against a range of commercially attractive therapeutic targets.

Amura intends to out-license its inhibitor programmes for clinical development and the lead molecule from this study and a first rate back-up molecule are now available for partnering.

Contact:

Dr Martin Quibell, Amura Thearpeutics Limited

+44 (0)1223 839797, martin.quibell@amura.co.uk