Amura announces positive results in chronic neuropathic pain model

Cambridge, U.K. - 7th April 2009

Amura Therapeutics Limited ("Amura") today announced that lead compounds from its cathepsin S (Cat S) inhibitor programme delivered outstanding pain relief in a partial sciatic nerve ligation (PNL) model of neuropathic pain.  The PNL study was performed by an eminent scientist at Kings College London ("KCL"), whose group conduct world leading research into the biological mechanisms involved in chronic neuropathic pain, a therapeutic area of significant unmet medical need.

The study was designed to monitor the effect of Amura Cat S inhibitors on established hyperalgesia in rats, following oral dosing.  Results showed that compound administration was accompanied by a rapid and fully reversible dose-dependent, marked reduction in mechanical hyperalgesia.  These studies, in conjunction with data published previously clearly demonstrate the involvement of Cat S in the maintenance of neuropathic pain and present Amura's Cat S inhibitors as a first-in class therapeutic opportunity for this poorly met and widespread indication.

This animal efficacy data forms part of a comprehensive pre-clinical package for Amura's lead Cat S 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.

The Amura compounds were 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