vTv Therapeutics Partner Cantex Pharmaceuticals Licenses Exclusive Rights to Intellectual Property from Georgetown University for Azeliragon as a Potential Treatment for Cancer-Related Cognitive Decline

vTv discovered small molecule RAGE inhibitor is being developed by Cantex under worldwide development and commercialization agreement

HIGH POINT, N.C., June 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- vTv Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: VTVT), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of cadisegliatin (TTP399) as an adjunctive therapy to insulin for the treatment of type 1 diabetes ("T1D"), announced today that Cantex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recently obtained an exclusive worldwide license from Georgetown University for intellectual property related to the potential use of azeliragon to treat, prevent or alleviate cancer treatment-related cognitive decline. Azeliragon, a small molecule receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) inhibitor, was originally discovered by vTv and studied as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Prior to licensing azeliragon to Cantex, vTv produced a substantial body of clinical data supporting the safety and tolerability of azeliragon, as well as preclinical data demonstrating the potential therapeutic benefit of vTv’s RAGE antagonists on several diseases, including cancer and diabetic complications.

“We once again extend our congratulations to our partners at Cantex on the continued strengthening of their IP estate for azeliragon. Already protected by a robust composition of matter patent and a variety of regulatory exclusivities, azeliragon has broad therapeutic potential which, if realized, could result in sizeable commercial opportunities in oncology and multiple other indications in which RAGE is implicated,” said Paul Sekhri, President and Chief Executive Officer of vTv Therapeutics. “We look forward to the results of Cantex's collaboration with Georgetown, which will provide greater visibility into the potential of azeliragon to alleviate cognitive decline caused by chemotherapy.”

About Azeliragon
Azeliragon is an orally administered small molecule drug, taken once daily, that inhibits interactions of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (known as RAGE) with certain ligands, including HMGB1 and S100 proteins in the tumor microenvironment. Azeliragon was originally under development for Alzheimer's disease by vTv Therapeutics from whom Cantex licensed it. Clinical safety data from these trials, involving more than 2000 individuals dosed for periods up to 18 months, indicate that azeliragon is very well tolerated. Cantex is also developing azeliragon for the treatment of brain metastasis, metastatic pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, and neoadjuvant therapy of breast cancer. In addition, a phase 2/3 trial is currently enrolling hospitalized COVID-19 patients, evaluating the efficacy of azeliragon in the prevention of acute kidney injury.