On June 27, 2019 Vivoryon Therapeutics AG, (Euronext Amsterdam: currently PBD, to be changed to VVY, ISIN: DE0007921835) reported that they have entered into a research collaboration with University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, to discover and develop first-in-class therapeutics in cancer immunotherapy (Press release, Vivoryon Therapeutics, JUN 27, 2019, View Source [SID1234537422]). Professor Thomas Valerius and his group will qualify Vivoryon’s broad portfolio of small molecule QPCTL inhibitors for their use as modulators of the CD47/SIRP-alpha myeloid immune checkpoint. These inhibitors, some of which have already been clinically tested, originated from the Company’s Alzheimer’s disease drug development program which remains to be a core focus for Vivoryon Therapeutics. Besides, these inhibitors also offer interesting therapeutic options in immuno-oncology.

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Recently published and internal research has shown that the Glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase-like (QPCTL) enzyme is a powerful therapeutic target to silence the "do not eat me" signal provided by the interaction of CD47 (expressed on cancer cells), with the protein SIRP-alpha (expressed on macrophages and other myeloid cells). Tumor immunotherapy that targets this interaction is a current focus of innovation in cancer drug development. Combining a therapeutic tumor-targeted antibody of choice with the inhibition of the CD47/SIRP-alpha interaction is expected to lead to significant therapeutic improvements. By possessing the broadest portfolio of small molecule QPCTL inhibitors and the clinically most advanced compounds in that field, Vivoryon Therapeutics is uniquely positioned. QPCTL inhibitors are expected to have considerable therapeutic advantages compared to antibody approaches that are currently explored in clinical studies to silence the CD47/SIRP-alpha interactions.

Dr. Michael Schaeffer, CBO of Vivoryon Therapeutics said: "We are very pleased to partner with the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, who is -like us- truly dedicated to accelerating innovative cures for cancer. Professor Valerius is a renowned expert in the field of myeloid effector cells in immunotherapy. This collaboration allows us to engage multiple targets and fully exploit our unique patent position. Undoubtedly, we are now entering into one of the most exciting fields of current drug development."

Within this collaboration Vivoryon Therapeutics will fund focused research with the clear goal of further qualifying its QPCTL inhibitors in cellular cancer models. Vivoryon’s highly active compounds will be tested individually and in combination with therapeutic antibodies.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Valerius, Senior Physician at the Department of Internal Medicine II – Hematology, Oncology of the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, added: "Our partnership with Vivoryon Therapeutics fits well with our goal of advancing early-stage therapeutic innovation. We are delighted that we are working on some of the most exciting compounds in myeloid checkpoint inhibition today and are convinced that these molecules could lead to significant improvements in cancer immunotherapy."

The development partners confirm that the cooperation has no effect on sales transactions of the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein – in particular procurement processes – and there are no expectations in this connection.

For more information, please contact:

Vivoryon Therapeutics AG
Dr. Ulrich Dauer, CEO
Email: [email protected]

Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel
Medizinische Klinik II, Sektion für Stammzell- und Immuntherapie
Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Valerius
Email: [email protected]

MC Services AG
Anne Hennecke, Susanne Kutter
Tel: +49 (0) 211 529 252 27
Email: [email protected]