New evidence supporting the benefit of selective BET inhibition in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and neurodegenerative disease

CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 28, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Resverlogix Corp. (“Resverlogix” or the “Company”) (TSX:RVX) announced today the recent publication of an article titled: “Apabetalone downregulates factors and pathways associated with vascular calcification” in Atherosclerosis, the official peer-reviewed scientific journal of the European Atherosclerosis Society.

“Apabetalone and its unique mechanism of action of select inhibition of BET proteins has consistently illustrated beneficial effects on key markers of vascular risk including calcification,” stated Dr. Kam Kalantar-Zadeh, Chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at the University of California, Irvine, and member of the Company’s clinical steering and advisory boards. “In patients with high-risk cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney and neurodegenerative diseases, vascular calcification is an important risk factor that we should continue to target. This important research and publication further helps our understanding of how select BET inhibition, via apabetalone, could potentially help many patients who continue to suffer under the significant burden of vascular calcification.” 

Publication Highlights include:

• Bromodomain and extraterminal (“BET”) proteins are implicated in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification (calcium deposits in blood vessels).
• Seven specific transcription factors (“TFs”) were identified that may cooperate with BET protein BRD4 to promote calcification.
• Apabetalone, the Company’s BET inhibitor currently in a Phase 3 clinical trial (“BETonMACE”), prevents calcification by regulating VSMC gene expression making it a promising therapeutic for pathological vascular calcification.

Publication Background and Conclusions:

Apabetalone is an inhibitor of BET proteins. In previous clinical trials, apabetalone reduced the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (“MACE”) in patients with cardiovascular disease and reduced circulating factors that promote vascular calcification (“VC”). Because VC contributes to MACE, effects of apabetalone on pro-calcific processes were examined.

Apabetalone counters calcification of VSMCs via an epigenetic mechanism. The findings, combined with evidence from clinical trials, support further development of apabetalone as a therapeutic for VC.

The full publication can be viewed using the following LINK.

Vascular Calcification – One Process Underlying Many Indications

The positive impact of apabetalone treatment on countering the development and progression of VC not only supports the ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial for high-risk cardiovascular disease, BETonMACE, but provides evidence for its potential benefit to patients with chronic kidney disease and neurodegenerative disease.

Based on Company estimates, combined, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and neurodegenerative disease represent ~12 million high-risk patients in the top 8 markets, and billions of dollars in healthcare expenditures. Reducing the burden of VC could allow millions of people to lead longer, healthier lives.

About Resverlogix

Resverlogix is developing apabetalone (RVX-208), a first-in-class, small molecule that is a selective BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) inhibitor. BET bromodomain inhibition is an epigenetic mechanism that can regulate disease-causing genes. Apabetalone is a BET inhibitor selective for the second bromodomain (BD2) within the BET proteins. This selective inhibition of apabetalone on BD2 produces a specific set of biological effects with potentially important benefits for patients with high-risk cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis, neurodegenerative disease, Fabry disease, peripheral artery disease and other orphan diseases, while maintaining a well described safety profile.

Resverlogix common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RVX).

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For further information please contact:

Investor Relations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 403-254-9252
Or visit our website: www.resverlogix.com

This news release may contain certain forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, that are not based on historical fact, including without limitation statements containing the words “believes”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “intends”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “continue”, “estimate”, “forecasts” and other similar expressions. In particular, this news release includes forward looking information relating to the estimated number of high-risk patients in the top 8 markets and the potential role of apabetalone in the treatment of CVD, DM, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis, neurodegenerative disease, Fabry disease, and Orphan diseases. Our actual results, events or developments could be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that any of the events or expectations will occur or be realized. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions and risk factors including those discussed in our Annual Information Form and most recent MD&A which are incorporated herein by reference and are available through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.