ONCODESIGN Presents New Supportive Data for Its Nanocyclix Based RIPK2 Program for Auto-Immune Disease at the 10th Drug Discovery Chemistry Conference in San Diego, CA

Regulatory News:

ONCODESIGN (Paris:ALONC) (Alternext - ALONC), a biotechnology company serving the pharmaceutical industry in the discovery of new therapeutic molecules to fight cancer and other serious illnesses with no known efficient treatment, has presented new data in support of its RIPK2 drug discovery program at the 10^th Drug Discovery Chemistry conference which took place from April 21 to 23 in San Diego, CA.

This annual conference, organized by the Cambridge Healthtech Institute, is attended by more than 500 world specialists in small molecule drug discovery, with a special focus on the latest innovations in the field.

Dr. Jan Hoflack, CSO of Oncodesign, presented in a common track for kinases and macrocyclic drug discovery recent progress made in its RIPK2 program that is based on Oncodesign’s Nanocyclix technology for next generation kinase inhibitors. Nanocyclix gives access to inhibitors for unexplored kinases or for high potential kinases that have remained intractable for more traditional kinase inhibitor approaches up to now.

"RIPK2 is a potential therapeutic target for a number of auto-immune diseases. Strong evidence exists that molecules that reduce the activity of this target might be of benefit in Crohn’ disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, as reported by a number of experts in the field,” Dr. Hoflack commented.

Oncodesign has identified in 2012 a number of compounds that are potent and selective inhibitors of RIPK2, which have been further improved since.

"We have recently shown the potential value of our compounds in a disease model for Crohn’s disease and IBD (Irritable Bowel Disorders). The effect in this model is through direct interaction with the RIPK2 target and the compounds have also demonstrated excellent properties in an ex-vivo model based on human material. These 3 further validations, known in the field as "preclinical Proof-of-Concept”, "Target Engagement” and "Translation to the human situation” are essential arguments in our search for a partner for this exciting program,” Dr. Hoflack added.

According to GBI’s research, the autoimmune disorders therapeutics market is expected to reach over $60 billion by 2017, for the main indications, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, IBD, and lupus, which are all potential target indications for RIPK2 inhibitors. There is an urgent requirement for different and more effective treatments to fight these diseases, especially through small molecule inhibitors for oral application.

About ONCODESIGN: www.oncodesign.com

Founded 20 years ago by Dr. Philippe Genne, the Company’s CEO and Chairman, ONCODESIGN is a biotechnology company that maximizes the pharmaceutical industry’s chances of success in discovering new therapeutic molecules to fight cancer and other serious illnesses with no known efficient treatment. Backed by unique experience acquired through more than 600 clients, including the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, and relying on a comprehensive technological platform combining state-of-the-art medicinal chemistry, advanced animal modeling and medical imaging, ONCODESIGN is able to predict and identify for every molecule, very upstream, its therapeutic use and its potential to become an efficient drug. Applied to kinase inhibitors, molecules that represent a market estimated at over 40 billion dollars in 2016 and accounting for almost 25% of the pharmaceutical industry’s R&D investments, ONCODESIGN’s technology has already enabled the targeting of 7 promising molecules with substantial therapeutic potential, in oncology and elsewhere, and the signing of partnerships, potentially worth €350 million in upfront payments should predefined milestones be reached, with pharmaceutical groups Sanofi, Ipsen and UCB. Based in Dijon, France, in the heart of the town’s university and hospital hub, ONCODESIGN has 75 staff.