MASSY, France - April 2, 2009

 

Quantum Genomics SAS, a privately held company, announced today that it has received a Research financing (Aide à l’Innovation) worth 1 million dollars from the French agency Oseo, to perform a preclinical evaluation of QGC 001, the first drug to treat hypertension by targeting Aminopeptidase A, and has initiated the preclinical studies required for the submission of an Investigational Medicinal Product Dossier (IMPD). “The program is following initial development plan, thanks to our partners involved in the project” comments Jean Pierre Riffaud, Head of preclinical development at Quantum Genomics.

 

First GMP batch of the drug substance has been released and 12 kg are available to perform all the toxicological and safety studies and to initiate early clinical trials in human subjects.

 

The key role of Aminopeptidase A in the central control of blood pressure has recently been demonstrated by Dr Catherine Llorens Cortes (Inserm U691).

 

This important discovery led to the chemical design of specific inhibitors targeting Aminopeptidase A in the brain by Pr Bernard Roques (Inserm U 640).

 

Hypertension is still an unmet medical need. Despite several proven treatments high blood pressure is still not well controlled in 30 to 60% of hypertensive patients.

 

QGC 001 is the first drug of a new family (APAI, Aminopeptidase A inhibitors) that will allow to treat hypertensive patients.

 

 “The support of Oseo for the development of QGC 001 is exciting reinforcement of the high potential of this first in class drug”, said Lionel Ségard, CEO of Quantum Genomics.