RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. & BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Viamet Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the Mycoses Study Group Education & Research Consortium (MSGERC) today announced the establishment of a strategic collaboration to advance a novel therapy for cryptococcal meningitis and other life-threatening fungal infections. This collaboration will combine the antifungal drug discovery and development expertise of Viamet with the strategic clinical development expertise of the MSGERC.
“We are honored to establish this collaboration with the world’s leading mycology clinicians and thought leaders,” commented Robert Schotzinger, MD, PhD, CEO of Viamet. “We believe that the collaboration with the MSGERC will add substantial value to our ongoing antifungal programs, with an initial focus on VT-1129, the Company’s novel antifungal agent expected to enter clinical testing later this year for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.”
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening invasive fungal infection of the brain and spinal cord that occurs most often in immunocompromised patients, including those with HIV infection, transplant recipients and oncology patients. In preclinical studies, VT-1129 has demonstrated the ability to completely eradicate the fungal pathogen that causes cryptococcal meningitis from the central nervous system.
“The development of novel antifungal therapies remains a very high priority for the MSGERC,” said Peter G. Pappas, MD, President of the Mycoses Study Group Education & Research Consortium. “We believe strongly in the potential of this collaboration to help expedite innovative therapies to patients suffering from life-threatening invasive fungal infections.”
About Viamet (www.viamet.com)
Viamet discovers and develops breakthrough therapies based on our leadership in metalloenzyme chemistry and biology. Our clinical portfolio includes novel agents to treat both chronic and life threatening fungal infections. We also leverage our metalloenzyme expertise in other therapeutic areas including oncology and orphan diseases. Focusing on the needs of patients and clinicians, we design our drug candidates to achieve superior safety and efficacy profiles compared to currently marketed drugs.
About MSGERC (www.msgerc.org)
The Mycoses Study Group Education & Research Consortium is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing continuing medical education and scientific/medical thought leadership for evidence-based medicine in the diagnoses, prevention, treatment and maintenance of patients at risk for or afflicted with invasive fungal infections. This organization will also serve as a resource and support for patients and caregivers who are affected by these serious rare diseases. This group’s mission includes setting the annual educational and research agendas for mycology and providing top-quality continuing education initiatives to MSG-member institutions and to other institutions and practitioners throughout the United States and globally.
This press release includes forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary materially from these statements. There are many important risks affecting Viamet’s business and VT-1161, VT-1129 and VT-1598, including that clinical trials may not be commenced, or if commenced, may not be successful, regulatory approvals may not be obtained and approved products, if any, may not achieve commercial success. The Viamet group of companies includes Viamet Pharmaceuticals Holdings, LLC and its operating subsidiaries, Viamet Pharmaceuticals, Inc., VPS-2, Inc. and VPS-3, Inc. The Viamet group of companies is based in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, USA.
