Press Release:
CYTOCHROMA ANNOUNCES $1
MILLION INVESTMENT BY ONTARIO’S
INVESTMENT ACCELERATOR FUND
Markham, Ontario, Canada — July
26, 2011 — Cytochroma
today announced that it has closed an equity investment of
$1 million from the Investment Accelerator Fund, a fund of
the Province of Ontario that invests in emerging Ontario technology
companies. The investment is designed to advance and accelerate
the Company’s development of CTAP101 Capsules, a product
currently in a Phase 2b study for the treatment of secondary
hyperparathyroidism associated with vitamin D insufficiency
in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease.
“Cytochroma demonstrates great potential to develop
and commercialize new treatments to global health problems
and create new jobs for Ontario families,” said Michael
Chan, Member of Provincial Parliament, Markham-Unionville. “We’re
proud to help tomorrow’s industry leaders get their start
today here in Markham.”
“We're proud of Ontario’s creative environment,” said
Glen Murray, Ontario’s Minister of Research and Innovation. “Our
highly skilled workforce, world-class education system and
internationally recognized research community are all second
to none. Our government invests in innovative companies
like Cytochroma so that our province's best ideas can flourish,
create jobs and improve the lives of Ontarians, now and in
the future.”
“Cytochroma is grateful for the support of the Investment
Accelerator Fund, MaRS, and the Province of Ontario,” said
Dr. Charles W. Bishop, President & CEO. “The Company
is committed, with Ontario’s backing, to reducing the
high morbidity and mortality in the fragile and rapidly growing
chronic kidney disease patient population.”
About CTAP101
Capsules
CTAP101 Capsules is being developed as a first-in-class
treatment for vitamin D insufficiency and elevated PTH levels
in CKD patients. The product is designed to reliably raise
serum total vitamin D pro-hormone concentrations to levels
of 30 ng/mL or higher, while also lowering the risk of side
effects associated with other vitamin D treatments. CTAP101
Capsules is intended to help nephrologists treat and/or prevent
SHPT associated with vitamin D insufficiency.
About Chronic
Kidney Disease
CKD is a condition characterized by a progressive
decline in the function of the kidney, which is normally responsible
for excreting waste and excess water from the body, and for
regulating various hormones. CKD is classified in five different
stages – mild (stage 1) to severe (stage 5) disease – as
measured by the kidney’s glomerular filtration rate.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, CKD afflicts over
26 million people in the United States, including more than
eight million patients with moderate (stages 3 and 4) and severe
(stage 5) forms of CKD. In stage 5 CKD, kidney function is
minimal to absent and patients require regular dialysis or
a kidney transplant for survival.
About Investment Accelerator Fund-Life Sciences
The Investment
Accelerator Fund-Life Sciences (IAF-LS) helps accelerate the
growth of life sciences companies in Ontario. The fund invests
up to $1,000,000 in seed and later stage financing in companies
that have the potential to be global leaders in their field
and provide sustainable economic benefits to Ontario. Funded
by the Government of Ontario, the fund is a $7 million program
that helps innovative life sciences companies turn their discoveries
into new products and services that meet patient needs.
The
IAF-LS is delivered by MaRS. For more information, please
visit www.marsdd.com/iaf-lifesciences.
About Cytochroma
Cytochroma is a clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical
company focused on developing and commercializing proprietary
products to treat and prevent the clinical consequences of
vitamin D insufficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism associated
with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Company specializes
in developing new therapies which are designed to safely and
effectively treat patients with stage 3, 4 or 5 CKD. Cytochroma
also has a portfolio of CYP24 and phosphate-uptake inhibitors
in early stage development.
For information contact:
Investors:
Gordon Ngan
Executive Director, Corporate Development
Tel: +1 (905) 479-5306 ext. 333
gngan@cytochroma.com
Cytochroma Media:
Robert Stanislaro (Financial Dynamics)
Tel: +1 (212) 850-5657
robert.stanislaro@fd.com
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