4SC AG
Press Release: 4SC Discovery receives EU grant worth EUR 450,000 for the research of new epigenetic compounds against stroke
4SC AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Press release 4SC Discovery receives EU grant worth EUR 450,000 for the research of new epigenetic compounds against stroke – Three-year research collaboration with the Medical Clinic of the University of Munich includes a project for identification and optimisation of new compounds against a novel epigenetic target molecule – Partial project of the EU consortium “CVgenes-at-target” for the research of new target structures and compounds to treat cardiovascular diseases Planegg-Martinsried, Germany, 15 April 2014 – 4SC AG (Frankfurt, Prime Standard: VSC), a discovery and development company of targeted small molecule drugs mainly focusing on cancer and autoimmune diseases, today announced that its subsidiary 4SC Discovery GmbH will receive a EUR 450,000 grant from the EU for the research of new compounds targeting cardiovascular diseases such as stroke. Using this grant 4SC can apply its key epigenetic expertise in drug discovery and development, which the company had so far been focusing primarily on oncology, also in the field of cardiovascular diseases. The collaboration of 4SC Discovery, the Medical Clinic of the University of Munich and other companies and academic working groups was launched recently and is scheduled to run for about three years. The main collaboration partner of 4SC Discovery is Prof. Dr. med. Martin Dichgans, Director of the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) of the Medical Clinic of the University of Munich. The grant is part of the EU consortium “CVgenes-at-target” (Grant Agreement Number: 601456) for the purpose of researching new therapeutic target structures for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases caused by an inflammatory reaction of the blood vessels. This project, which involves twelve partners in Europe, will be coordinated by Prof. Dr. Heribert Schunkert from the German Heart Centre in Munich. 4SC Discovery has already started its work of identifying and optimising highly potent, selective compounds against a new epigenetic target molecule. The company will perform part of the compound screening, medicinal chemistry and the optimisation of the compounds’ pharmacokinetics and solubility. Preclinical trials with the compounds will be conducted at the Medical Clinic of the University of Munich to deliver the first proofs-of-concept. 4SC Discovery will retain the rights to the identified substances. During the first part of the collaboration, the focus will be on researching the investigated epigenetic molecule as a possible therapeutic target structure for stroke. Epigenetic target structures such as histone deacetylases (HDACs) coordinate gene transcription and therefore play an important role in the development of cancer and neurological diseases. It will now be researched what role epigenetic modifications play in cardiovascular diseases. During the second part of the collaboration, additional target structures that potentially play a role in stroke development will be subjected to a compound screening and potential inhibitors will be identified and optimised. Stroke is a consequence of cardiovascular diseases and the third most frequent cause of death in Germany. A recently conducted analysis of the global study entitled “Global Burden of Disease” published in the renowned medical journal Lancet in January of 2014 showed that the number of younger people suffering from stroke is increasing. This is caused by risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, high blood sugar, lack of exercise and an unbalanced diet. In 2010, about 16.9 million people worldwide suffered a stroke and 5.9 million of them died as a result. Dr. Daniel Vitt, Managing Director of 4SC Discovery GmbH and Chief Scientific Officer at 4SC AG, commented: “While cardiovascular diseases were not a focus for 4SC in the past, we have built a comprehensive knowledge base regarding the effective inhibition of HDAC molecules based on our epigenetic research especially in the field of cancer. As a result, we are now also viewed as a competent partner in other therapeutic areas in which epigenetic molecules play an important role. We are pleased to start another collaboration with renowned partners such as the Medical Clinic of the University of Munich and to be able to make a contribution in the discovery of new compounds. Apart from the scientific aspect, EU funding for our activities also represents an attractive economic incentive.” Prof. Dr. med. Martin Dichgans, Director of the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) at the Medical Clinic of the University of Munich, added: “It is our objective to advance research in the field of stroke and dementia and to make a contribution to the development of entirely new treatment options. 4SC Discovery is the ideal partner for us in terms of epigenetic issues and the practical implementation of early-stage research.” End of press release About the CVgenes-at-target project of the EU – Exploitation of genomic variants affecting coronary artery disease and stroke risk for therapeutic intervention The EU network CVgenes-at-target (http://cordis.europa.eu/projects/rcn/110211_en.html) will utilize genomic variants affecting atherosclerosis risk for identification of both underlying genes and affected pathways in order to identify, characterize, and validate novel therapeutically relevant targets for prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. Among the 12 academic and corporate project partners from five European countries (Germany, England, Sweden, Netherlands and Switzerland) are the Medical Clinic of the University of Munich, the Institute for Integrative and Experimental Genomics at the University of Lübeck (Director: Prof. Dr. Jeanette Erdmann) and 4SC Discovery GmbH. The project coordinator is Prof. Dr. Heribert Schunkert from Deutsches Herzzentrum in Munich. The EU supports this project by contributing roughly EUR 6 million. About 4SC Discovery GmbH and 4SC Group 4SC Discovery GmbH (www.4sc-discovery.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 4SC AG, specialises in the early-stage research and discovery of novel therapeutic compounds against cancer and autoimmune diseases. 4SC Discovery engages in partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies in order to advance the development and commercialisation of its own therapeutic programmes. In adition, as a drug discovery service provider 4SC Discovery offers its expertise via research collaborations to companies from the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. 4SC Group (www.4sc.com) focuses on the discovery and clinical development of targeted small-molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases in order to enhance patients’ quality of life. The company was founded in 1997 and has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since December 2005. Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement applies only on the date of this press release. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may or may not occur in the future and as a result of which the actual results and performance may differ substantially from the expected future results or performance expressed or implied in the forward looking statements. No warranties or representations are made as to the accuracy, achievement or reasonableness of such statements, estimates or projections, and 4SC AG has no obligation to update any such information or to correct any inaccuracies herein or omission herefrom which may become apparent. For more information on 4SC or 4SC Discovery please visit www.4sc.com and www.4sc-discovery.com or contact: 4SC AG MC Services The Trout Group End of Corporate News 15.04.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 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Language: | English | |
Company: | 4SC AG | |
Am Klopferspitz 19a | ||
82152 Martinsried | ||
Germany | ||
Phone: | +49 (0)89 7007 63-0 | |
Fax: | +49 (0)89 7007 63-29 | |
E-mail: | public@4sc.com | |
Internet: | www.4sc.de | |
ISIN: | DE0005753818 | |
WKN: | 575381 | |
Listed: | Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart | |
End of News | DGAP News-Service |
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