4SC AG — Regulatory Filings 2012

Nov 12, 2012

News Details

Corporate | 12 November 2012 07:30

Press Release: 4SC receives patent protection for its epigenetic anti-cancer compound 4SC-202 in Japan and other Asian growth markets

4SC AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

12.11.2012 / 07:30

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Press Release

4SC receives patent protection for its epigenetic anti-cancer compound 4SC-202 in Japan and other Asian growth markets

Planegg-Martinsried, Germany, 12 November 2012 – 4SC AG (Frankfurt, Prime Standard: VSC), a discovery and development company of targeted small molecule drugs for autoimmune diseases and cancer, today announced that it has significantly expanded the patent protection for 4SC-202, the Company's second epigenetic anti-cancer compound in Japan and other attractive Asian growth markets. The oral agent 4SC-202 modulates the cellular Wnt signalling pathway that plays a key role in cancer development and growth. It is currently being investigated in a Phase I trial in patients with haematological tumours.

In Japan and South Korea, 4SC has now received the Notice of Allowance from the patent authorities, making the granting of the composition-of-matter patent for 4SC-202 imminent. In India, the composition-of-matter patent has already been granted (patent No 252846). The patents cover the composition of matter of the 4SC-202 compound itself, the pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound, and the therapeutic use of 4SC-202 in the treatment of cancer and in other therapy areas.

Japan and the Asia-Pacific growth markets are becoming increasingly important for the development and marketing of innovative cancer drugs such as 4SC-202. Today, nearly half of all new cancer cases worldwide occur in Asia. Japan's market for cancer drugs (volume in 2009: over USD 7 billion according to IMS Health) makes up more than 10% of the global oncology market and is expected to show significant future growth due to the country's high standards of living and ageing population. After Japan, China und Australia, South Korea is the fourth-largest market for cancer therapies in the Asia-Pacific region. Figures from IMS Health indicate a volume of over USD 500 million in 2009, with annual average growth rates of around 17%. The market for cancer drugs is also growing in India. The market is the region's ninth-largest, with highly dynamic annual growth of over 30%.

'The patent protection for our anti-cancer compound 4SC-202 in the key Japanese market and the two growth markets of South Korea and India is an endorsement of our development strategy with 4SC-202,' commented Dr Ulrich Dauer, CEO of 4SC AG. 'In achieving this protection, we are consolidating our position as one of the world's leading biotech companies in the field of epigenetic cancer therapies.'

Dr Dauer continued: 'Alongside our main value driver resminostat, 4SC-202 is our second promising epigenetic anti-cancer compound in clinical development. While our primary focus with resminostat is achieving market approval for the compound in combination therapy with conventional anti-cancer drugs for solid tumours such as liver cancer, we believe 4SC-202's mechanism of action gives it major stand-alone potential as a treatment for solid and haematological tumours whose development and growth depends heavily on the Wnt signalling pathway, which is of great therapeutic interest.'

About 4SC-202

In addition to resminostat, 4SC-202 is 4SC's second epigenetic drug candidate in clinical development. 4SC-202 is an orally administered selective class I deacetylase (DAC) inhibitor with a unique combination of anti-cancer mode of actions, namely epigenetic regulation and targeting of cancer stem cells. 4SC-202 has been shown to modulate the Wnt signalling pathway via epigenetic modifications, thereby provoking the inhibition of properties of cancer stem cells. The Wnt signalling pathway plays an important role in the development and growth of cancers. Currently, 4SC-202 is being investigated in a Phase I clinical study in patients with advanced haematological indications.

About 4SC

The Group managed by 4SC AG (ISIN DE0005753818) discovers and develops targeted, small-molecule drugs for treating diseases with high unmet medical needs in various autoimmune and cancer indications. These drugs are intended to provide innovative treatment options that are more tolerable and efficacious than existing therapies, and provide a better quality of life. The Company's balanced pipeline comprises promising products that are in various stages of clinical development. 4SC's aim is to generate future growth and enhance its enterprise value by entering into partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies. Founded in 1997, 4SC had 90 employees at 30 September 2012. 4SC AG has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since December 2005.

Legal Note

This document may contain projections or estimates relating to plans and objectives relating to our future operations, products, or services; future financial results; or assumptions underlying or relating to any such statements; each of which constitutes a forward-looking statement subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results could differ materially, depending on a number of factors.

For more information please visit www.4sc.com or contact:

4SC AG

Jochen Orlowski, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

jochen.orlowski(at)4sc.com, Tel.: +49-89-7007-63-66

MC Services

Raimund Gabriel, Mareike Mohr

raimund.gabriel(at)mc-services.eu, Tel.: +49-89-2102-2830

The Trout Group

Chad Rubin

Crubin(at)troutgroup.com, Tel.: +1-646-378-2947

End of Corporate News

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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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192505  12.11.2012