Biophytis and AskHelpU Sign a Co-Development Agreement in Rare Neuromuscular Diseases in China
Biophytis SA (BPTSY) has signed a co-development agreement with AskHelpU, China's largest ALS patient association, to evaluate the efficacy of BIO101, Biophytis' lead drug candidate, for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) treatment. The collaboration will leverage Biophytis' drug expertise and AskHelpU's disease knowledge, with research conducted at top Chinese universities.
BIO101, currently being developed for sarcopenia and obesity, could potentially offer a therapeutic solution for ALS, a severe neuromuscular disease affecting approximately 200,000 patients in China. ALS causes gradual muscle paralysis and affects speech and swallowing functions, with no current curative treatment available.
AskHelpU, founded in 2019 by former JD.com Vice President Cai Lei, has connected over 15,000 people across China and aims to help over one million people affected by neurodegenerative diseases. The organization has received significant funding, including a recent 100 million RMB donation announced in early 2024 for basic research.
Biophytis SA (BPTSY) ha firmato un accordo di co-sviluppo con AskHelpU, la più grande associazione di pazienti con SLA in Cina, per valutare l'efficacia di BIO101, il principale candidato farmaco di Biophytis, nel trattamento della Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica (SLA). La collaborazione sfrutterà la competenza farmacologica di Biophytis e la conoscenza della malattia di AskHelpU, con ricerche condotte nelle migliori università cinesi.
BIO101, attualmente in fase di sviluppo per la sarcopenia e l'obesità, potrebbe offrire una potenziale soluzione terapeutica per la SLA, una grave malattia neuromuscolare che colpisce circa 200.000 pazienti in Cina. La SLA provoca una graduale paralisi muscolare e compromette le funzioni del linguaggio e della deglutizione, senza alcun trattamento curativo disponibile al momento.
AskHelpU, fondata nel 2019 dall'ex Vice Presidente di JD.com, Cai Lei, ha connesso oltre 15.000 persone in tutta la Cina e mira ad aiutare oltre un milione di persone colpite da malattie neurodegenerative. L'organizzazione ha ricevuto finanziamenti significativi, inclusa una recente donazione di 100 milioni di RMB annunciata all'inizio del 2024 per la ricerca di base.
Biophytis SA (BPTSY) ha firmado un acuerdo de co-desarrollo con AskHelpU, la asociación de pacientes con ELA más grande de China, para evaluar la eficacia de BIO101, el principal candidato a medicamento de Biophytis, para el tratamiento de la Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica (ELA). La colaboración aprovechará la experiencia farmacéutica de Biophytis y el conocimiento sobre la enfermedad de AskHelpU, con investigaciones realizadas en las principales universidades chinas.
BIO101, que actualmente se está desarrollando para la sarcopenia y la obesidad, podría ofrecer una solución terapéutica potencial para la ELA, una grave enfermedad neuromuscular que afecta a aproximadamente 200,000 pacientes en China. La ELA provoca una parálisis muscular gradual y afecta las funciones del habla y la deglución, sin que haya un tratamiento curativo disponible en la actualidad.
AskHelpU, fundada en 2019 por el ex vicepresidente de JD.com, Cai Lei, ha conectado a más de 15,000 personas en toda China y tiene como objetivo ayudar a más de un millón de personas afectadas por enfermedades neurodegenerativas. La organización ha recibido financiamiento significativo, incluyendo una reciente donación de 100 millones de RMB anunciada a principios de 2024 para investigación básica.
Biophytis SA (BPTSY)는 중국 최대의 ALS 환자 협회인 AskHelpU와 함께 근위축성 측삭 경화증(ALS) 치료를 위한 Biophytis의 주요 약물 후보인 BIO101의 효능을 평가하기 위한 공동 개발 계약을 체결했습니다. 이번 협력은 Biophytis의 약물 전문성과 AskHelpU의 질병 지식을 활용하며, 연구는 중국의 주요 대학에서 진행됩니다.
BIO101은 현재 근육 감소증 및 비만 치료를 위해 개발 중이며, ALS에 대한 치료적 솔루션을 제공할 수 있는 잠재력을 가지고 있습니다. ALS는 중국에서 약 200,000명의 환자에게 영향을 미치는 심각한 신경근육 질환입니다. ALS는 근육의 점진적인 마비를 초래하며, 언어 및 삼키기 기능에 영향을 미치며, 현재 치료할 수 있는 방법은 없습니다.
AskHelpU는 2019년 JD.com의 전 부회장인 Cai Lei에 의해 설립되었으며, 중국 전역에서 15,000명이 넘는 사람들을 연결하였고, 신경퇴행성 질환에 영향을 받은 백만 명 이상의 사람들을 돕는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다. 이 조직은 최근 2024년 초에 발표된 기초 연구를 위한 1억 RMB의 기부를 포함하여 상당한 재정 지원을 받았습니다.
Biophytis SA (BPTSY) a signé un accord de co-développement avec AskHelpU, la plus grande association de patients atteints de SLA en Chine, pour évaluer l'efficacité du BIO101, le principal candidat médicament de Biophytis, pour le traitement de la Sclérose Latérale Amyotrophique (SLA). La collaboration tirera parti de l'expertise médicamenteuse de Biophytis et des connaissances sur la maladie d'AskHelpU, avec des recherches menées dans les meilleures universités chinoises.
Le BIO101, actuellement en développement pour la sarcopénie et l'obésité, pourrait offrir une solution thérapeutique potentielle pour la SLA, une maladie neuromusculaire sévère touchant environ 200 000 patients en Chine. La SLA entraîne une paralysie musculaire progressive et affecte les fonctions de la parole et de la déglutition, sans traitement curatif actuellement disponible.
AskHelpU, fondée en 2019 par l'ancien vice-président de JD.com, Cai Lei, a connecté plus de 15 000 personnes à travers la Chine et vise à aider plus d'un million de personnes touchées par des maladies neurodégénératives. L'organisation a reçu un financement significatif, y compris un don récent de 100 millions de RMB annoncé au début de 2024 pour la recherche fondamentale.
Biophytis SA (BPTSY) hat eine Kooperationsvereinbarung mit AskHelpU, dem größten ALS-Patientenverband Chinas, unterzeichnet, um die Wirksamkeit von BIO101, dem Hauptarzneikandidaten von Biophytis, zur Behandlung von Amyotropher Lateralsklerose (ALS) zu evaluieren. Die Zusammenarbeit wird das Arzneimittelwissen von Biophytis und das Krankheitswissen von AskHelpU nutzen, wobei die Forschung an renommierten chinesischen Universitäten durchgeführt wird.
BIO101, das derzeit zur Behandlung von Sarkopenie und Adipositas entwickelt wird, könnte eine therapeutische Lösung für ALS bieten, eine schwere neuromuskuläre Erkrankung, die in China etwa 200.000 Patienten betrifft. ALS verursacht eine schrittweise Muskellähmung und beeinträchtigt die Sprach- und Schluckfunktionen, ohne dass zurzeit ein heilendes Therapieangebot verfügbar ist.
AskHelpU, 2019 von dem ehemaligen JD.com-Vizepräsidenten Cai Lei gegründet, hat über 15.000 Menschen in ganz China verbunden und hat das Ziel, über eine Million Menschen mit neurodegenerativen Erkrankungen zu helfen. Die Organisation hat erhebliche Fördermittel erhalten, darunter eine jüngste Spende von 100 Millionen RMB, die Anfang 2024 für die Grundlagenforschung angekündigt wurde.
- Expansion into China's large ALS market with approximately 200,000 patients
- Partnership with China's largest ALS patient association enhances market access
- Potential expansion of BIO101's therapeutic applications beyond current indications
- BIO101 is still in preclinical stage for ALS indication
- No guaranteed success in proving efficacy for ALS treatment
- Development timeline and costs for new indication not specified
Paris, France and Cambridge, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Biophytis SA (FP: ALBPS), ("Biophytis" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of treatments for age-related diseases, today announces the signing of a co-development agreement with AskHelpU, the largest patient association in China for those affected by Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
This co-development agreement aims to evaluate the efficacy of BIO101, Biophytis' lead drug candidate, in ALS. If the preclinical results are promising and the proof of concept is established following the initial phase, the development will progress towards a larger-scale clinical phase. BIO101, which is currently in development for other indications, including sarcopenia and obesity, could represent a major therapeutic solution for patients with this severe neuromuscular disease.
This entirely synergistic agreement will leverage Biophytis' expertise with its drug candidate and AskHelpU's knowledge in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease.
AskHelpU will rely on top Chinese universities and research laboratories to conduct the experiments. This agreement between Biophytis and AskHelpU marks a unique development opportunity for Biophytis and its BIO101 drug candidate, demonstrating the wide potential of the molecule, including for the treatment of rare diseases.
ALS is a severe and progressive disease, leading to the gradual paralysis of muscles, speech, and swallowing functions. Despite recent advances in understanding the genetics and biology of ALS, no curative treatment is yet available. Globally, the prevalence of ALS is between 4.1 and 8.4 patients per 100,000 inhabitants1. The current number of patients is estimated at 6,000 in France2, 31,000 in the United States3, and around 200,000 in China4, making it one of the largest markets for research and development of new treatments.
Since the founding of AskHelpU in 2019, founder Cai Lei, former JD.com Vice President has built the largest patient-centered data platform, connecting over 15,000 people across China with the aim of saving more than one million people affected by neurodegenerative diseases. Cai Lei is also the founder of the charitable platform "Conquer ALS" and initiated the second "Ice Bucket Challenge" to raise awareness of the issues faced by ALS patients. Since 2019, Cai Lei has personally invested over 30 million RMB in the fight against ALS and in supporting patients. In early 2024, Mr.Cai and his wife announced that they will donate another 100 million RMB to support to basic research.
- Current Opinion in Neurology 32(5): p 771-776, October 2019
- Epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, NaGonal Library of Medicine, May 2016
- NaGonal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Registry, CDC, April 2017
- Global Times, November 2023
A long-standing advocate in the fight against these pathologies, Biophytis reaffirms its commitment through this partnership to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for improving patient care.
* * * *
About BIOPHYTIS
Biophytis SA is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing drug candidates for age- related diseases. BIO101 (20-hydroxyecdysone), our lead drug candidate, is a small molecule in development for muscular diseases (sarcopenia, Phase 3 ready to start, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Phase 1-2 to be started), respiratory diseases (COVID-19, Phase 2-3 completed), and metabolic disorders (obesity, Phase 2 to be started). The company is headquartered in Paris, France, with subsidiaries in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and Brazil. The Company's ordinary shares are listed on Euronext Growth Paris (ALBPS- FR001400OLP5) and its ADS (American Depositary Shares) are listed on the OTC market (BPTSY- US 09076G401). For more information, visit www.biophytis.com.
About AskHelpU
Founded by Cai Lei, former vice president of JD.com and a major figure in the fight against ALS, AskHelpU is the largest ALS patient association in China. Since its creation, and driven by the vision of its founder, AskHelpU has transformed the perception of ALS in China, changing it from a rare and almost unknown disease into a national concern. News and topics related to the association have already garnered over 5 billion views. Over the past five years, the association has built a patient-centered research platform, connecting more than 15,000 people and aiming to overcome ALS as well as other neurodegenerative diseases.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seeks," "predicts," "intends," "trends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Biophytis considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the statements contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The forward- looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Biophytis or not currently considered material by Biophytis. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Please also refer to the "Risk and uncertainties the Company is to face» section from the Company's 2023 Financial Report available on BIOPHYTIS website (www.biophytis.com) and as exposed in the "Risk Factors" section of form 20-F as well as other forms filed with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission, USA). We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contacts Biophytis
Investor relations
Investors@biophytis.com
US Investors
Pascal Nigen - Alpha Bronze
pnigen@alphabronzellc.com
Media
Antoine Denry : antoine.denry@taddeo.fr - +33 6 18 07 83 27
Inès de Mandiargues : ines.demandiargues@taddeo.fr - +33 6 16 16 51 78
Contact AskHelpU
AskHelpU : alsresearch.china@gmail.com
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237882
FAQ
What is the potential market size for BPTSY's BIO101 in China's ALS treatment?
What stage of development is BPTSY's BIO101 for ALS treatment?
What other indications is BPTSY developing BIO101 for?
How will BPTSY's partnership with AskHelpU benefit the development of BIO101?
