LA JOLLA, Calif., June 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (Nasdaq: MNOV) and the JASDAQ Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (code number: 4875), today announced that it will initiate an extensive research collaboration with Juntendo University, School of Medicine (2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan) to evaluate the mechanism of action of MN-001 (tipelukast) on lipid metabolism and metabolic syndrome.
The principal collaborator is Takashi Mitsui MD, Ph.D., professor and the chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine, a well-known leading expert in lipid metabolism specializing in dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome.
Kazuko Matsuda, MD, Ph.D., MPH, Chief Medical Officer of MediciNova, Inc, noted, “MN 001 is a novel orally administered compound with multiple mechanisms, and its antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects have been observed in multiple animal model studies. Previous clinical studies have also been observed to decrease serum triglyceride levels in patients with high serum triglycerides.In the phase 2 study in NASH/NAFLD patients with hypertriglyceridemia, MN-001 (tipelukast) decreased serum triglycerides, increased high-density lipoproteins (HDL -C) and reduced low-density lipoproteins (LDL) during the 12-week treatment period. In addition, the improvements in serum lipid profile were more significant in the patients with type 2 diabetes/prediabetes. We believe this research collaboration will provide new insights into the mechanism of action of MN-001 in the field of lipid metabolism and metabolic syndrome and the disease will identify individuals that would benefit from treatment with MN-001.”
About MN-001 (tipelukast)
MN-001 (tipelukast) is a novel, orally bioavailable, small molecule compound believed to exert its effects through several mechanisms to produce its anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activity in preclinical models, including leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonism, inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDE) (mainly 3 and 4), and inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). The 5-LO/LT pathway has been postulated as a pathogenic factor in the development of fibrosis, and the inhibitory effect of MN-001 on 5-LO and the 5-LO/LT pathway is a novel approach to treat fibrosis. MN-001 has been shown to down-regulate the expression of genes that promote fibrosis, including LOXL2, Collagen Type 1 and TIMP-1. MN-001 has also been shown to down-regulate the expression of genes that promote inflammation, including CCR2 and MCP-1. In addition, MN-001 was found to inhibit triglyceride synthesis in hepatocytes by inhibiting the uptake of arachidonic acid.
About MediciNova
Medici Nova, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad, late-stage pipeline of novel small molecule therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on two compounds, MN-166 (ibudilast) and MN-001 (tipelukast), with multiple mechanisms of action and strong safety profiles, MediciNova has 11 programs in clinical development. MediciNova’s lead agent, MN-166 (ibudilast), is currently in Phase 3 for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) and is in Phase 3 for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MN-166 (ibudilast) has been studied in a phase 2 study in patients at risk of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and is also being evaluated in phase 2 studies in glioblastoma and substance dependence. MN-001 (tipelukast) was evaluated in a phase 2 study in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is in preparation for a second phase 2 study in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MediciNova has a strong track record of securing investigator-sponsored clinical trials funded by government grants.
Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future development and efficacy of MN -166, MN-001, MN-221 and MN-029. These forward-looking statements may be prefixed with, followed by or otherwise include the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “estimates”, “projects”, “may”, “could”, ” can”, “will”, “would”, “consider”, “plan” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for the development of MN-166, MN -001, MN -221 and MN-029 and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund MediciNova’s activities and contribution to clinical development, risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, including the potential costs, anticipated timing and risks associated with clinical trials designed to meet FDA guidance and the feasibility of further development considering these factors, product development and commercialization risks, the uncertainty whether clinical trial results will be predictive of outcomes in later stages of pr product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval, risks associated with reliance on third parties to sponsor and fund clinical trials, risks related to intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability to use such intellectual property defend and enforce, the risk of failure of the third parties that MediciNova relies on to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates to perform as expected, the risk of increased costs and delays due to delays in the initiation, enrollment, completion, or analysis of clinical trials or significant issues related to the adequacy of clinical trial designs or the conduct of clinical trials, and the timing of anticipated filings with regulatory authorities, MediciNova’s partnerships with third parties, the availability of funds to complete product development plans and MediciNova’s ability to obtain third-party funding for programs and raise sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and uncertainties described in MediciNova’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. No undue reliance should be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT PERSON FOR INVESTORS:
Geoff O’Brien
Vice President
Medici Nova, Inc.
info@medicinova.com
