Full Press Release Details
Therapeutics' Executes Licensing Agreement of VNLG-152 for Treatment of Dermatological Diseases
to receive equity stake in Isoprene, full license of VNLG-152 and royalties from Isoprene for all other fields including Oncology
YORK, NY July 31, 2020 -- Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH),
a biopharmaceutical company, today announced it has executed a licensing agreement with Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
to acquire the rights to VNLG-152, a novel retinamides (Retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents, or RAMBAs) for the treatment
of dermatological diseases. Isoprene is a cancer therapeutic company that is a University of Maryland, Baltimore New
Venture Initiative start-up.
agreement, which formalizes the previously announced Letter of Intent between the two companies,
will also grant Hoth royalty payments from Isoprene for any use of its VNLG-152 including Oncology.
University of Maryland Baltimore discovered novel retinamide RAMBAs and validated their therapeutic utility in animal models of
breast and prostate cancer. RAMBAs inhibit the cellular enzyme that metabolizes all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), which actively
directs cells to mature in a controlled manner to ensure normal growth.
In addition to enhancing
the beneficial effects of ATRA, the mechanism of action for these RAMBAs has been shown to involve degradation of Mnk 1/2 and suppression
of the oncogenic eIF4E pathway. For potential use in treating dermatological conditions, UMB researchers obtained promising early
results demonstrating that lead retinamide RAMBAs have equal or superior effects over approved retinoids (ATRA and 13-CRA) to inhibit
proliferation of normal human adult keratinocytes and sebocytes, and antikeratinizing effects in reconstructed human epidermis.
Initial toxicity profiles for a panel of RAMBAs [Njar et al., 2006] also showed good indications for safe therapeutic use.
block the normal metabolism of endogenous ATRA in cells, increasing the beneficial effects of ATRA. They provide a unique approach
to achieve the therapeutic benefit of retinoid therapy while potentially circumventing the adverse events associated with it, a
very important property for application to dermatology therapy. ATRA deficiencies are associated with dermatological diseases (acne
and psoriasis), and retinoid derivatives have been one of the mainstay therapies for acne. Liarozole is in clinical use for the
treatment of psoriasis and ichthyosis. Dermatological retinoid deficiencies are characterized by hyperkeratinization and desquamation
and include diseases such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, wounds, burns, sunburn, ichthyosis, skin cancer, and Kaposi's
Sarcoma, all of which are plausible targets for retinamide RAMBA therapy.
Knie, Chief Executive Officer of Hoth, commented, "Hoth is pleased to finalize this licensing agreement of a novel
therapy that has shown such promise in targeting such a wide array of dermatological afflictions. This
latest license agreement reinforces Hoth's commitment to developing novel therapies for multiple skin diseases."
About Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.
Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
company focused on developing new generation therapies for dermatological disorders. Hoth's pipeline has the potential to improve
the quality of life for patients suffering from indications including atopic dermatitis, chronic wounds, psoriasis, asthma and
acne. Hoth has also recently entered into two different agreements to further the development of two different vaccine prospects
to prevent or treat COVID-19. To learn more, please visit www.hoththerapeutics.com.
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reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to the Company on
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Valter Pinto, Managing Director