Kalytera Announces Data Demonstrating that R-107 Prevents Tissue Damage and Increases Survival in a Murine Study of Chlorine Inhalational Lung Injury

SAN FRANCISCO, June 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kalytera Therapeutics, Inc. (TSX VENTURE: KLY and OTC: KALTF) (the "Company" or "Kalytera") today announced proof-of-concept data demonstrating that R-107 reduces tissue damage and increases survival in a lethal rodent model of chlorine inhalational lung injury (“CILI”) that mimics the pulmonary damage of chlorine exposure in humans.

Kalytera to Acquire Salzman Group
Kalytera announced on May 19, 2020 that it has entered into a binding Letter of Intent to acquire Salzman Group, Inc., a privately held company located in West Tisbury, MA (“Salzman Group”).  Salzman Group is the owner of R-107, a proprietary drug with issued and pending composition of matter and method of use patents in approximately 40 countries, including the U.S., Australia, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Japan, Russia, and South Korea.

Data are Strongly Positive
Salzman Group studied the effectiveness of R-107 in a murine model of overwhelming lung injury, designed to mimic life-threatening human CILI. This model is characterized by a 50% mortality rate within 21 days, accompanied by the development of profound levels of inflammation and tissue injury in the lung. The pulmonary damage resembles the human clinical presentation of CILI following acute exposure to high levels of chlorine gas released during warfare and terrorism, or from industrial and transportation accidents. R-107, or its active payload R-100, were introduced two hours after the exposure to chlorine, in order to mimic real world conditions in the civilian community and on the far-forward battlefield where the onset of therapy would not be made available at the earliest until a few hours after chlorine exposure.

Results from this study were strongly positive, with injection of R-107 or its active payload R-100 each increasing survival from 50% to 90% over 21 days of follow-up after chlorine exposure. The improvement in survival was supported by the results of tissue microscopy, which revealed a 50% reduction in both histologic damage and the level of inflammatory white cells in the lung. The salutary effect of both these agents was dose-dependent, allowing for a minimal dose to be identified that provided optimal protection of the lung. The improvement in survival and in the reduction in tissue damage will be correlated with the plasma concentrations of R-107 and R-100, in order to create a pharmacodynamic relationship, paving the way for future studies in large animals to be designed with optimized dosing regimens.