Esophageal Achalasia

Hamilton, Bermuda, July 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Study shows significant reduction in aorta dilation, delayed rupture and lower mortality in established animal model of abdominal aortic aneurysmAltamira’s SemaPhore™ nanoparticles delivering SOD2 mRNA successfully to mitochondria in aorta wall Positive outcomes suggest potential use of treatment in management of small abdominal aortic aneurysm and prevention of ruptures Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (“Altamira” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:CYTO), a company dedicated to developing and commercializing RNA delivery technology for targets beyond the liver, today announced the preprint publication of a study demonstrating effective treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in an animal model.1 The study was conducted by a research group from Washington University, St. Louis MO, and the University of South Florida, Tampa FL. It showed that treatment with SOD2 mRNA delivered systemically with peptide-based nanoparticles (SemaPhore™ by Altamira) to AAA mice resulted in a significant reduction in aorta dilation (p<0.05), delayed rupture and a highly significant improvement in survival rates (p<0.01) compared to untreated controls. AAA is a localized abnormal enlargement (bulge) of the abdominal aorta, i.e. the part of the main artery which runs through the belly. The rupture of an AAA may be life-threatening; more than 50% of patients die before they reach the emergency room, and those who survive have very high morbidity.2 The prevalence of AAAs increases with age and is 4-6 times more common in men than in women; it develops in approximately 1% of men between 55 and 64 years of age, and increases by 2 to 4% per decade thereafter.3 Surgery is the main treatment for large AAAs or those that are growing rapidly. AAA is an inflammatory disease involving oxidative stress caused by excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although the use of antioxidants would appear a promising treatment strategy, clinical efficacy has turned out to be mostly unsatisfactory. By targeting SOD2 (superoxide dismutase 2), an enzyme known for its capacity to eliminate ROS, the researchers used a different approach. They delivered SOD2 mRNA through systemic injections of Altamira’s peptide-based SemaPhore nanoparticles in an established murine AAA model and were thus able to boost mitochondrial SOD2 expression, reduce levels of oxidative stress and in turn mitigate the expansion of small AAA and largely prevent rupture. The research group concluded: “This nanotherapeutic mRNA delivery approach may find translational application in the medical management of small AAA and the prevention of AAA rupture.” “Using SOD2 mRNA to modulate oxidative stress appears a very promising approach in various challenging cardiovascular disorders such as abdominal aortic aneurysm or atherosclerosis and in other inflammatory or degenerative disease where ROS is a critical disease driver”, commented Samuel Wickline, M.D., Chief Scientific Adviser of Altamira and one of the co-authors of the study. “Importantly, the SemaPhore nanoparticles allowed for systemic delivery of the mRNA payload with efficient uptake and SOD2 expression in the aortic wall. Moreover, there was a good safety profile with no sustained accumulation or SOD2 expression in major organs, and no change in hematologic parameters or liver / kidney function. Last, but not least, the nanoparticles showed good stability over time.” About Altamira Therapeutics Altamira Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CYTO) is developing and supplying peptide-based nanoparticle technologies for efficient RNA delivery to extrahepatic tissues (OligoPhore™ / SemaPhore™ platforms). The Company currently has two flagship siRNA programs using its proprietary delivery technology: AM-401 for KRAS driven cancer and AM-411 for rheumatoid arthritis, both in preclinical development beyond in vivo proof of concept. The versatile delivery platform is also suited for mRNA and other RNA modalities and made available to pharma or biotech companies through out-licensing. In addition, Altamira holds a 49% stake (with additional economic rights) in Altamira Medica AG, its commercial-stage legacy asset Bentrio®, an OTC nasal spray for allergic rhinitis. Further, the Company is in the process of partnering / divesting its inner ear legacy assets. Founded in 2003, Altamira is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, with its main operations in Basel, Switzerland. For more information, visit: https://altamiratherapeutics.com/ Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical facts and may include statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or Altamira’s strategies or expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may", "might", "will", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "projects", "potential", "outlook" or "continue", or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the success of strategic transactions, including licensing or partnering, with respect to Altamira’s legacy assets, Altamira’s need for and ability to raise substantial additional funding to continue the development of its product candidates, the clinical utility of Altamira’s product candidates, the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, Altamira’s intellectual property position and Altamira’s financial position, including the impact of any future acquisitions, dispositions, partnerships, license transactions or changes to Altamira’s capital structure, including future securities offerings. These risks and uncertainties also include, but are not limited to, those described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Altamira’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in Altamira’s other filings with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available free of charge on the SEC’s website at: www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated. All forward-looking statements and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Altamira or to persons acting on behalf of Altamira are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Altamira does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law. Investor Contact: Hear@altamiratherapeutics.com 1 Yan et al. (2024), Systemic delivery of murine SOD2 mRNA to experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm mitigates expansion and rupture, bioRxiv: 2024.06.17.599454. 10.1101/2024.06.17.599454 2 Shaw et al. (2024), Abdominal aortic aneurysm, StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470237/ 3 Aggarwal et al. (2011), Abdominal aortic aneurysm: A comprehensive review, Exp Clin Cardiol 16(1): 11–15.

Olympus supports the decision regarding the per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedure which offers patients another treatment option CENTER VALLEY, Pa., July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus, a global medical technology company committed to making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, today announced its support for a decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to significantly increase the payment rate for the per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedure, a change that is expected to improve patient access to the minimally invasive procedure. Effective Jan. 1, CMS increased the hospital outpatient payment rate for POEM procedures, CPT code 43497, by 67% from approximately $3,261 to $5,435. The higher payment rate is reflective of the complexity and resources of this time-intensive procedure. "Following a rigorous evidence-based review by CMS, we are very pleased to see this positive payment update for the POEM procedure," said Paul Skodny, PharmD, Executive Director for Health Economics and Market Access at Olympus Corporation of the Americas. "As we continue to advocate for improved access to minimally invasive procedures like POEM, this type of positive decision is an important development and one that aligns with our core values that include patient focus." POEM is a minimally invasive procedure performed endoluminally as an alternative to open or laparoscopic surgery and is used to treat swallowing disorders such as achalasia. Achalasia is an esophageal disorder in which the lower esophageal sphincter does not relax properly, preventing food and liquid from moving into the stomach. POEM is an alternative to the laparoscopic surgical option of Heller's myotomy for the treatment of achalasia. A common nonsurgical treatment option is pneumatic dilation in which a ballon is inserted into the esophageal sphincter and inflated to enlarge the opening. The procedure may be repeated if the esophageal sphincter does not stay open, and about a third of people who undergo this procedure need treatment again within five years.1 Studies looking at the effectiveness of POEM found that the procedure is safe and effective with 90% clinical success at more than five years and that POEM demonstrated significantly greater clinical success at 12, 24 and 36 months compared to pneumatic dilation.2, 3 "We applaud CMS for the decision to bring the payment rate for POEM into better alignment with the complexity of the procedure. We hope this results in greater patient access to a procedure that offers the potential for improved patient outcomes," said Craig Munroe, MD, Global Lead Medical Affairs GI-ET. "Olympus is a pioneer of endoluminal procedures and has worked with GI societies and stakeholders to advance minimally invasive procedures such as POEM. As part of our commitment to patient focus, we will continue working to raise awareness around options such as this." Visit the Olympus product page to learn more about the complete gastroenterology portfolio. About Olympus At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. Olympus Corporation of the Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs more than 4,500 employees throughout locations in North and South America. For more information, visit olympusamerica.com. SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas

Minimally Invasive "Third-Space" Endoscopy Procedures Offer Patients an Alternative to Surgery ATLANTA, June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Justin J. Forde of United Digestive and Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates has successfully performed Northside Gwinnett Hospital's first "third-space" gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy procedures (Z-POEM, E-POEM, and endoscopic submucosal dissection). These procedures, conducted in the space between the inner lining and muscle layers of the GI tract, offer minimally invasive, organ-preserving treatments for patients who might otherwise require surgery to address precancerous lesions or early cancers of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon. Additionally, they provide innovative solutions for GI conditions like gastroparesis, achalasia, and Zenker's diverticulum, which can cause chronic dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), nausea, and vomiting. Regarding the procedures, Dr. Forde emphasized, "These techniques offer alternatives to more invasive surgical procedures and, in most cases, are performed as outpatient procedures, requiring very little recovery time. They expand treatment options for patients who may not be good candidates for surgery or for those who want to avoid more invasive surgical procedures." He added, "These techniques require extensive training and are typically only available at large academic centers, which can pose accessibility issues for patients. We are very excited to offer these treatment options in the community setting at Northside Gwinnett." Dr. Forde's introduction of third-space endoscopy techniques at Northside Gwinnett Hospital earned him a spot on Becker's GI & Endoscopy's list of "5 Physicians on the Cutting Edge of Gastroenterology." United Digestive and its physicians are at the forefront of gastroenterology, continuously putting innovation into practice to raise the standards of patient care. Dr. Forde's work exemplifies our commitment to providing advanced, high-quality treatments that improve patient outcomes and enhance overall healthcare experiences. For more information about United Digestive and Dr. Forde, please visit . About United Digestive United Digestive is a leading physician practice management organization serving GI physicians and gastroenterology practices nationwide. Practices that are part of United Digestive benefit from advanced infrastructure and operational insights, along with investments in regional growth. Physician Partners enjoy a dyad leadership model with reduced administrative burden and local support to provide the highest-quality patient care. United Digestive is growing at a rapid pace, with more than 62 clinics, 22 ASCs, and 300 providers practicing in four states – Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  Contact: Lance Wagner Director, Marketing & Communication [email protected] 404-888-7575 x1130 SOURCE United Digestive