- Interim results are expected by the end of 2013 -
“We are excited about the upcoming initiation of clinical trials for our
first anti-HCV agent, BL-8020. The Phase I/II trial will be led by Prof.
BL-8020 is an orally available HCV treatment with a unique mechanism of action, as compared to other currently used anti-HCV agents. This suggests pan-genotypic efficacy and the ability to be combined with other HCV therapeutics as part of an interferon-free regimen. BL-8020’s mechanism of action involves the inhibition of HCV-induced autophagy in the host cells. Autophagy is a mechanism by which cells degrade damaged or unnecessary cellular components, including invading viruses. However, HCV has found a way to take advantage of this mechanism in order to replicate inside the cell. By inhibiting this mechanism, BL-8020 reduces the ability of HCV to replicate.
BL-8020’s safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in a number of pre-clinical studies. These studies have shown that BL-8020 has a synergistic effect with other anti-HCV agents. This effect on other therapies is likely to increase their potency and reduce the numerous adverse effects often associated with these drugs by enabling utilization of lower dosages. In addition BL-8020 may reduce therapy duration. The use of multiple therapies with different mechanisms is also likely to be beneficial for patients who have developed resistance or do not respond to current treatments and is a common practice in current HCV treatment regimens.
About BL-8020
BL-8020 was licensed under a worldwide, exclusive agreement from
Genoscience, a French company focused on viral disease therapeutics. It
was developed as an anti-viral therapy by Professor
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C infection is a blood borne infection of the liver caused by
the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) which becomes chronic in about 85% of cases.
According to a 2011 report from
About BioLineRx
BioLineRx is a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical development company.
BioLineRx is dedicated to building a portfolio of products for unmet
medical needs or with advantages over currently available therapies.
BioLineRx’s current portfolio consists of six clinical stage candidates:
BL-1020 for schizophrenia is currently undergoing a Phase II/III study;
BL-1040, for prevention of pathological cardiac remodeling following a
myocardial infarction, which has been out-licensed to
BioLineRx’s business model is based on acquiring molecules mainly from
biotechnological incubators and academic institutions. The Company
performs feasibility assessment studies and development through
pre-clinical and clinical stages, with partial funding from the Israeli
Government’s
Various statements in this release concerning BioLineRx’s future
expectations, including specifically those related to the development
and commercialization of BL-8020, constitute “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These statements include words such as “may,”
“expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” and “intends,” and describe
opinions about future events. These forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of BioLineRx to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks are:
changes in relationships with collaborators; the impact of competitive
products and technological changes; risks relating to the development of
new products; and the ability to implement technological improvements.
These and other factors are more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors”
section of BioLineRx’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with
the
Source: BioLineRx
KCSA Strategic Communications
Garth Russell / Todd Fromer
1
212-896-1250 / 1 212-896-1215
grussell@kcsa.com / tfromer@kcsa.com
or
BioLineRx
Tsipi
Haitovsky
Public Relations
+972-52-598-9892
tsipih@netvision.net.il