Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals to Present Novel Approach to Hepatitis B Treatment at the 2015 AASLD and Industry Colloquium

MILFORD, Mass., March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of hepatitis B and other viral infections, today announced that Radhakrishnan P. (Kris) Iyer, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Spring Bank, will present at the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) and Industry Colloquium: Novel Targets and Therapies in Liver Disease, being held on March 20-21, 2015, at the Hilton Durham in Durham/Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Details of Dr. Iyer's presentation are below:

Summary:  Small Molecule Nucleic Acid Hybrid (SMNH) compounds are a novel class of molecules that can be designed to target key disease-associated proteins with a high degree of selectivity while incorporating favorable drug-like attributes including oral delivery. SMNH molecules are small nucleotide chains that can be chemically modified using structural information on proteins, enzymes and protein-nucleic acid complexes involved in disease processes.

Spring Bank's lead product candidate, SB 9200, is a novel, orally bioavailable antiviral agent that selectively modulates the host immune response by activating host proteins RIGI and NOD2 in virus-infected cells.   The compound has shown potent antiviral activity in vitro against wild type- and resistant variants of hepatitis B (HBV) and produced synergistic antiviral activity when combined with HBV polymerase inhibitors such as Tenofovir and Entecavir. Potent antiviral activity has also been observed in the transgenic mouse and woodchuck models of HBV upon oral administration of SB 9200. Phase II clinical trials for SB 9200 in HBV-infected patients are expected to begin in late 2015.

Dr. Iyer stated, "More than 350 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus. While prolonged therapy with direct acting antivirals such as nucleotide and nucleoside analogs can very efficiently suppress viral replication and delay risk of disease progression, long-term, indefinite period of treatment is required and only cures a small percentage of patients. There is an urgent need for the development of new classes of antiviral agents such as SB 9200, that have the potential to reduce viral antigens, eliminate cccDNA, and effect viral clearance."

Douglas J. Jensen, President and CEO of Spring Bank, commented, "The research presented at AASLD provides further validation of the strength of Spring Bank's proprietary small molecule nucleic acid hybrid technology platform(SMNH) and highlights the important role that a novel, host immunomodulating drug such as SB 9200 may play in the treatment and potential cure of HBV disease.  We are delighted to participate in this year's AASLD, a world-class forum for leaders in industry and academia to exchange advances relating to the most cutting-edge technology and discuss the latest in therapeutic, diagnostic and clinical applications." 

About AASLD

AASLD is the leading organization of scientists and health care professionals committed to preventing and curing liver disease. AASLD was founded in 1950 by a small group of leading liver specialists to bring together those who had contributed to the field of hepatology. For more information about the AASLD and Industry Colloquium, please visit: http://www.aasld.org/events-professional-development/industry-colloquium.

About Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals

Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company. Based on its proprietary SMNH chemistry platform, Spring Bank is developing a pipeline of products representing a new class of pharmaceuticals with a wide range of applications.  These rationally designed molecules combine the selectivity of naturally occurring nucleotides with the drug- like properties of classical pharmaceuticals.  The SMNHs have the properties of oral delivery, good pharmacokinetic profile, low side effects and ease of manufacture.  The Company's most advanced clinical candidate, SB 9200, is a potential breakthrough drug for the treatment for HBV and other viral diseases. SB 9200 has a novel mechanism of action that involves modulation of the host immune response in the presence of viral infection. 

Note Regarding NIH-Funded Research

Certain studies mentioned in this press release were partly supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01AI094469 and NIAID contract laboratories. The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact:

Douglas J. Jensen
President and Chief Executive Officer
Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals
(508) 473-5993 x105

Matthew Haines / Maeve Connenghton
Argot Partners
(212) 600-1902
[email protected]
[email protected]

SOURCE Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.springbankpharm.com