HARMONY BIOSCIENCES COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF ZYNERBA PHARMACEUTICALS AND EXPANDS PIPELINE
- Zygel has the potential to serve 80,000 U.S. patients diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome and 22q deletion syndrome
- Zygel is a significant market opportunity that advances Harmony's long-term growth strategy
- Zygel is the first-and-only pharmaceutically manufactured synthetic cannabidiol
- None.
New product in development diversifies portfolio to drive long-term growth
Innovative potential new therapeutic option for rare/orphan neuropsychiatric disorders with high unmet medical needs
Zygel™ in pivotal Phase 3 trial for Fragile X syndrome and has completed Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Zynerba is a leader in pharmaceutically produced transdermal cannabinoid therapies for orphan neuropsychiatric disorders. Harmony President & CEO Jeffrey M. Dayno, MD, described its lead candidate, Zygel, as a 'portfolio in a product' with the potential to serve 80,000
"Zygel is a significant market opportunity that advances our long-term growth strategy of developing a diversified portfolio beyond sleep/wake therapies," Dayno said. "This acquisition expands our pipeline with a product candidate in our area of expertise that could address high unmet medical needs for people living with rare neuropsychiatric disorders."
Zygel is the first-and-only pharmaceutically manufactured synthetic cannabidiol. It is a non-euphoric cannabinoid formulated as a patent-protected permeation-enhanced gel for transdermal delivery through the skin and into the circulatory system. The product is manufactured through a synthetic process in a cGMP facility and is not extracted from the cannabis plant.
Zygel does not contain THC, the compound that causes the euphoric effect of cannabis, and has the potential to be a nonscheduled product if approved.
Cannabidiol, the active ingredient in Zygel, has been granted orphan drug designation by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of FXS and for the treatment of 22q. Additionally, Zygel has received FDA Fast Track designation for the treatment of behavioral symptoms in patients with FXS.
Harmony's tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Zynerba for a purchase price of
Following the acceptance of the tendered shares, Harmony completed the acquisition of Zynerba through the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of Harmony with and into Zynerba in which each share of Zynerba's common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to consummation of the merger (other than shares (a) held in Zynerba's treasury, (b) owned by Harmony at the time the offer commenced, (c) irrevocably accepted for payment in the tender offer or (d) shares held by Zynerba stockholders who properly demanded appraisal for their shares under
About Harmony Biosciences
At Harmony Biosciences, we specialize in developing and delivering treatments for rare neurological diseases that others often overlook. We believe that where empathy and innovation meet, a better life can begin for people living with neurological diseases. Established by Paragon Biosciences, LLC, in 2017 and headquartered in
About Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a rare genetic disorder that is the leading known cause of both inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, affecting 1 in 3,600 to 4,000 males and 1 in 4,000 to 6,000 females. The disorder negatively affects synaptic function, plasticity and neuronal connections, and results in a spectrum of intellectual disabilities and behavioral symptoms, such as social avoidance and irritability. There are approximately 80,000 people in the U.S. and approximately 121,000 people in the European Union and
FXS is caused by a mutation in FMR1, a gene which modulates a number of systems, including the endocannabinoid system, and most critically, codes for a protein called FMRP. The FMR1 mutation manifests as multiple repeats of a DNA segment, known as the CGG triplet repeat, resulting in deficiency or lack of FMRP. FMRP helps regulate the production of other proteins and plays a role in the development of synapses, which are critical for relaying nerve impulses, and in regulating synaptic plasticity. In people with full mutation of the FMR1 gene, the CGG segment is repeated more than 200 times, and in most cases causes the gene to not function. Methylation of the FMR1 gene also plays a role in determining functionality of the gene. In approximately
About 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q) is a disorder caused by a small missing piece of the 22nd chromosome. The deletion occurs near the middle of the chromosome at a location designated q11.2. It is considered a mid-line condition, with physical symptoms including characteristic palate abnormalities, heart defects, immune dysfunction, and esophageal / GI issues, as well as debilitating neuropsychiatric and behavioral symptoms, including anxiety, social withdrawal, ADHD, cognitive impairment and autism spectrum disorder. It is estimated that 22q occurs in one in 4,000 live births, suggesting that there are approximately 80,000 people living with 22q in the
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including as they relate to Harmony and Zynerba, the future development of their technologies and product candidates, including the development of and market opportunities for Zynerba's technology and product candidates, the future value (if any) of the contingent value rights, Harmony's strategy, and the anticipated synergies and benefits from the transaction, are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Potential risks, uncertainties and other factors to be considered include, among others, problems may arise in successfully integrating the business and technologies of Harmony and Zynerba, and Harmony may not realize the expected benefits of the transaction; the transaction may involve unexpected costs; the businesses may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the transaction, including difficulties in maintaining relationships with third parties or retaining key employees; and no contingent consideration may become payable. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Harmony's and Zynerba's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including under the headings "Risk Factors." You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by law, neither Harmony nor Zynerba is under any duty to update any of the information in this document.
Harmony Biosciences Investor Contact:
Luis Sanay, CFA
445-235-8386
lsanay@harmonybiosciences.com
Harmony Biosciences Media Contact:
Cate McCanless
202-641-6086
cmccanless@harmonybiosciences.com
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SOURCE Harmony Biosciences
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