DPEP1

British Medical Journal Open publishes paper detailing the results of the international Phase II human trial for LSALT peptide targeting acute lung and kidney inflammation in hospitalized patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 virusPhase II findings previously disclosed support dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) as a relevant therapeutic target for diseases of the lung, kidneys and liver where inflammation plays a major role. New biomarker data from the pandemic Phase II trial, provides further scientific rationale for Arch to bring LSALT peptide into larger trials to inhibit DPEP-1 mediated organ inflammation. Arch is currently performing a Phase II human trial to support LSALT peptide as a first ever treatment for preventing cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury. TORONTO, March 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arch Biopartners Inc., (“Arch” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture: ARCH and OTCQB: ACHFF), announced today that it has published a peer reviewed paper in the British Medical Journal Open (BMJ Open) detailing the results of the international Phase II human trial for LSALT peptide targeting acute lung and kidney inflammation in hospitalized patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. LSALT peptide is a DPEP-1 inhibitor and the Company’s lead drug candidate for preventing and treating inflammation injury in the kidneys, lungs, and liver. The paper in BMJ Open describes the clinical highlights, outcomes and biomarker results of the study. The Phase II trial was an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof of concept study of LSALT peptide for the prevention of organ inflammation such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The exploratory, adaptive trial was initiated in the early stages of the global pandemic to identify clinical signals of efficacy for LSALT peptide in the treatment of acute lung and kidney inflammation. The results of the Phase II trial provided first-ever evidence validating DPEP-1 as a mediator of organ inflammation and therapeutic target in humans. In addition, LSALT peptide was well tolerated with no safety issues related to the drug. New biomarker data for LSALT peptide was disclosed for the first time in the BMJ Open publication. An analysis of serum inflammatory biomarkers was performed from blood samples collected from study participants. Biomarkers analyzed which relate to organ inflammation included cytokines and chemokines such as IL-6, CXCL8, CXCL10, IL-1β and CCL7. Collectively, a greater proportion of inflammatory biomarkers decreased in patients receiving LSALT peptide compared with placebo. In particular, the reduction of CXCL10 in the LSALT peptide group versus the placebo group was statistically significant at the end of treatment. CXCL10 plays a role in facilitating leukocyte recruitment to various vascular beds including the lungs and kidneys. The reduction of CXCL10 and the other inflammatory biomarkers during LSALT peptide treatment is consistent with LSALT peptide’s mechanism of action as an inhibitor of DPEP-1 mediated leukocyte recruitment to the lungs and kidneys. The new data provides more scientific rationale for Arch to advance LSALT peptide to prevent leukocyte recruitment and organ inflammation for other indications, including a larger Phase II trial targeting cardiac surgery-associated AKI, which recently began recruiting patients. More information on the current trial can be found below and at clinicaltrials.gov Details of the results from the Phase II trial are reported in the peer-reviewed journal BMJ Open. The publication, titled “Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Proof of Concept Study of LSALT Peptide as Prevention of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)” by Somayaji et. al. can be found at the BMJ Open website. Quote from Richard Muruve, CEO of Arch Biopartners Inc.: “When the pandemic started and hospitals were filling up with patients with respiratory distress caused by inflammation, we postponed our plans to do a CS-AKI trial to urgently perform a Phase II trial to treat hospitalized COVID patients and reduce acute organ inflammation. Now that we have published our biomarker and clinical data from the trial, we are more confident today that inhibiting DPEP-1 mediated leukocyte recruitment to the kidneys, lungs and liver is a valid path toward first-ever treatments to prevent acute injury in these organs.” About the Phase II trial for LSALT Peptide in Pandemic Patients The Phase II trial was an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof of concept study of LSALT peptide for the prevention of organ inflammation such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Six clinical sites located in Canada, United States, and Turkey participated in the Phase II trial in 2021. The composite primary endpoint of the Phase II trial reflected the severe effects often experienced by hospitalized patients in the early months of the pandemic and deemed appropriate for LSALT peptide’s novel mechanism of action in blocking consequential inflammation in the lungs, kidneys, and other organs. The exploratory study was designed to detect a clinical signal of efficacy and was not powered for statistical significance. Previously disclosed in December 2021 and included in the BMJ Open publication, there were no significant differences in adverse events between LSALT peptide and placebo treated patients. The study population of the Phase II trial did not have enough incidence of ARDS or AKI to detect a conclusion on these two particular clinical outcomes. In a secondary evaluation of patients on ventilation, despite being older by an average of 5 years, subjects in the LSALT peptide group demonstrated 22.8 ventilation-free days compared to 20.9 days in the placebo group in the unadjusted analysis at 28 days. “Ventilation” was defined as a need for high flow oxygen therapy (≥ 6L/min), non-invasive ventilation, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In a post-hoc analysis adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (a measure of lung disease severity), the difference in ventilation-free days was 6.7 days favoring the LSALT peptide group compared to the placebo group. About Phase II trial for LSALT Peptide targeting CS-AKI Arch Biopartners is currently sponsoring a Phase II trial for LSALT peptide targeting cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI). CS-AKI is often caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) that reduces blood flow (ischemia) and thus oxygen in the kidney causing kidney cell damage. Once blood flow is restored to normal (reperfusion), inflammation is triggered and injury to kidney cells is exacerbated. In the worst cases of AKI, kidneys fail, leading to kidney dialysis or kidney transplant. At present, there are no therapeutic treatments available to prevent or treat CS-AKI or IRI. The CS-AKI Phase II trial is an international multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of LSALT peptide. The recruitment target for the trial is 240 patients. The primary objective of the trial is to evaluate the percentage of subjects with AKI within seven days following on-pump (heart-lung machine) cardiac surgery, defined by the KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) criteria. Details of the Phase II trial, entitled “Phase 2 Global, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of LSALT peptide for the Prevention or Attenuation of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in Patients Undergoing On-Pump Cardiac Surgery” can be viewed at clinicaltrials.gov. Recruitment of patients in the CS-AKI trial has begun in three hospital sites in Turkey with a hospital in Canada (University of Calgary) joining the trial last week. Additional sites are expected to be added in Turkey and Canada in the next few weeks. About LSALT Peptide LSALT peptide is a novel peptide drug candidate and DPEP-1 inhibitor. In August 2019, a scientific team led by Arch scientists Dr. Donna Senger and Dr. Stephen Robbins published a paper in the journal Cell describing a novel mechanism of action for organ inflammation. In the publication, DPEP-1 was identified, for the first time, as a major leukocyte (white blood cell) adhesion receptor on the lung, liver and kidney endothelium. DPEP-1 was also identified as the target of LSALT peptide, differing from typical anti-inflammatory drugs by targeting this novel adhesion receptor rather than targeting individual cytokines, of which there are many. The Cell publication, titled “Dipeptidase-1 is an adhesion receptor for neutrophil recruitment in lungs and liver” by Choudhry et. Al. can be found at the Cell journal’s website. LSALT peptide has been shown by Arch scientists and their collaborators to prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury to the kidneys in pre-clinical models (Video Link to pre-clinical proof of concept). Details of their findings were published in a Science Advances publication, titled “Dipeptidase-1 governs renal inflammation during ischemia reperfusion injury” by Lau et. al. and can be found at the Science Advances website. About Arch Biopartners Arch Biopartners Inc. is a late-stage clinical trial company focused on preventing inflammation and acute organ injury. The Company is developing new drug candidates that inhibit inflammation in the lungs, kidneys, and liver via the dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) pathway and are relevant for common injuries and diseases where organ inflammation is an unmet problem. For more information on Arch Biopartners' science and technologies, please visit: www.archbiopartners.com/our-science For investor information and other public documents the company has also filed on SEDAR+, please visit www.archbiopartners.com/investor-hub The Company has 62,755,633 common shares outstanding. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws regarding expectations of our future performance, liquidity and capital resources, as well as the ongoing clinical development of our drug candidates targeting the dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) pathway, including the outcome of our clinical trials relating to LSALT peptide (Metablok), the successful commercialization and marketing of our drug candidates, whether we will receive, and the timing and costs of obtaining, regulatory approvals in Canada, the United States, Europe and other countries, our ability to raise capital to fund our business plans, the efficacy of our drug candidates compared to the drug candidates developed by our competitors, our ability to retain and attract key management personnel, and the breadth of, and our ability to protect, our intellectual property portfolio. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, including certain factors and assumptions, as described in our most recent annual audited financial statements and related management discussion and analysis under the heading “Business Risks and Uncertainties”. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, or other unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Additional information relating to Arch Biopartners Inc., including our most recent annual audited financial statements, is available by accessing the Canadian Securities Administrators’ System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) website at www.sedarplus.ca . The science and medical contents of this release have been approved by the Company’s Chief Science Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

TORONTO, March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arch Biopartners Inc., (“Arch” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture: ARCH and OTCQB: ACHFF), announced today that patient recruitment and dosing has begun in Turkey for the Phase II trial for LSALT peptide targeting the prevention and treatment of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI). LSALT peptide is the Company’s lead drug candidate for preventing and treating inflammation injury in the kidneys, lungs and liver. There are three hospital sites in Turkey actively screening cardiac surgery patients for this trial. Koşuyolu Research Hospital and Kocaeli University Research Hospital are located within and near Istanbul respectively. The third site is Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine Organ Transplant & Dialysis Hospital, and is located in central Turkey. There are three additional hospital sites in Turkey pending activation into the trial. The Arch Biopartners team is currently working with hospital sites in Canada to prepare for their participation in this Phase II trial. The CS-AKI Phase II trial is an international multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of LSALT peptide. The recruitment target for the trial is 240 patients. The primary objective of the trial is to evaluate the percentage of subjects with AKI within seven days following on-pump (heart-lung machine) cardiac surgery, defined by the KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) criteria. Details of the Phase II trial, entitled “Phase 2 Global, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of LSALT peptide for the Prevention or Attenuation of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in Patients Undergoing On-Pump Cardiac Surgery” can be viewed at clinicaltrials.gov. Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (CS-AKI) and LSALT peptide CS-AKI is often caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) that reduces blood flow (ischemia) and thus oxygen in the kidney, causing kidney cell damage. Once blood flow is restored to normal (reperfusion), inflammation is triggered and injury to kidney cells is exacerbated. In the worst cases of AKI, kidneys fail, leading to kidney dialysis or kidney transplant. There is no treatment available in the market today that prevents acute kidney injury of the type commonly experienced by on-pump cardiac surgery patients. LSALT peptide targets the dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) pathway and has been shown by Arch scientists and their collaborators to prevent IRI to the kidneys in pre-clinical models, providing the scientific rationale for Arch to use LSALT peptide in this CS-AKI trial. Details of their findings were published in a Science Advances publication, titled “Dipeptidase-1 governs renal inflammation during ischemia reperfusion injury” by Lau et. al. and can be found at the following link at the journal’s website. Advisory services and a funding contribution from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) announced by the Company in March 2023, will significantly offset the costs of the CS-AKI Phase II trial. Incidence of Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (CS-AKI) Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a known common complication in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and other cardiac surgeries, including on-pump surgeries which increase the risk of AKI. The reported prevalence of CS-AKI is up to 30% and is independently associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. About Arch Biopartners Arch Biopartners Inc. is a late-stage clinical trial company focused on preventing inflammation and acute organ injury. The Company is developing new drug candidates that inhibit inflammation in the lungs, kidneys, and liver via the dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) pathway and are relevant for common injuries and diseases where organ inflammation is an unmet problem. For more information on Arch Biopartners' science and technologies, please visit: For investor information and other public documents the company has also filed on SEDAR+, please visit The Company has 62,755,633 common shares outstanding. For more information, please contact: Richard Muruve Chief Executive Officer Arch Biopartners, Inc. 647-428-7031 info@archbiopartners.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws regarding expectations of our future performance, liquidity and capital resources, as well as the ongoing clinical development of our drug candidates targeting the dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) pathway, including the outcome of our clinical trials relating to LSALT peptide (Metablok), the successful commercialization and marketing of our drug candidates, whether we will receive, and the timing and costs of obtaining, regulatory approvals in Canada, the United States, Europe and other countries, our ability to raise capital to fund our business plans, the efficacy of our drug candidates compared to the drug candidates developed by our competitors, our ability to retain and attract key management personnel, and the breadth of, and our ability to protect, our intellectual property portfolio. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, including certain factors and assumptions, as described in our most recent annual audited financial statements and related management discussion and analysis under the heading “Business Risks and Uncertainties”. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, or other unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Additional information relating to Arch Biopartners Inc., including our most recent annual audited financial statements, is available by accessing the Canadian Securities Administrators’ System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) website at . The science and medical contents of this release have been approved by the Company’s Chief Science Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arch Biopartners Inc. (“Arch” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture: ARCH and OTCQB: ACHFF), announced today that it had a pre-investigational new drug application (PIND) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Division of Cardiovascular and Renal Products (DCRP) on February 23, 2024 to discuss Arch’s plan to repurpose cilastatin as a new treatment to prevent toxin related acute kidney injury (AKI). Currently, there are no specific treatments for the prevention or treatment of AKI. Arch has the opportunity to sponsor a Phase II trial for cilastatin in toxin-related AKI targeting either nephrotoxic drug and/or rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI (explained further below). The PIND meeting provided the Arch team with guidance from the FDA for the content of a future IND application for cilastatin. An IND application is a request to the FDA for authorization to administer a new drug to patients in a human trial. The Arch team received clarity on several items including cilastatin pharmacology; manufacturing of a cilastatin drug product; design of phase II study protocol targeting toxin-related AKI; and the regulatory path that would lead to a New Drug Application (NDA). Arch is acting as an industry partner with clinical researchers in Canada and the United States who are planning to conduct two separate phase II clinical studies respectively for toxin-related AKI in late 2024. Arch management does not have plans to raise funds during 2024 in the capital markets for cilastatin trials. The Company will support these studies by acting as a partner for grant funding opportunities, providing cilastatin drug product, scientific advice, and pursuing regulatory approvals. Arch management is overseeing the development and manufacturing of a first-ever, stand-alone cilastatin drug product. Arch has arranged for the production of the first lot of a cilastatin to occur during the summer of 2024. Arch has method of use patents in several jurisdictions for repurposing cilastatin as a treatment for AKI. The patents are either proprietary or exclusively licensed to Arch. Quote from Richard Muruve, CEO of Arch Biopartners Inc: “The PIND meeting was the first major milestone in the effort to commercialize cilastatin, Arch’s second drug targeting DPEP-1. Third-party research and clinical interest to test cilastatin as a first ever treatment for both rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI and drug toxin-related AKI have provided the catalyst for Arch to advance this technology toward an NDA in parallel with the LSALT peptide program. We look forward to working with our research and clinical collaborators to establish cilastatin and DPEP-1 inhibition as a new treatment to prevent toxin-related AKI.” About Cilastatin Cilastatin is an enzymatic dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) inhibitor originally developed in the early 80´s by Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories (MSDRL) to limit the renal metabolism of imipenem, a β-lactam antibiotic used for the treatment of systemic infections. Cilastatin was approved for use as fixed combination with imipenem for IV administration to treat different types of bacterial infections. This fixed combination is currently marketed under different names, including Primaxin® (USA, UK, Australia, Italy), Tienam® (Spain, Belgium) or Zienam® (Germany). The combination imipenem/cilastatin was approved by the FDA in 1985. Patents for imipenem and cilastatin have expired and the combination drug is currently in a generic phase. There is no commercial history of cilastatin as a stand-alone drug product. Cilastatin has a slightly different mechanism of action compared with Arch’s novel drug candidate, LSALT peptide (Metablok) a non-enzymatic DPEP-1 inhibitor. Whereas LSALT peptide specifically blocks DPEP-1-mediated inflammation in the kidney, lungs and liver, cilastatin also has off target-effects that prevent toxin uptake in the kidneys. Thus, cilastatin is particularly effective for toxin-related AKI, but not suitable for other forms of non-toxin related AKI targeted by the LSALT peptide. Cilastatin as a potential treatment for AKI AKI reflects a broad spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from mild injury to severe injury that may result in permanent and complete loss of renal function. Clinically, the causes of AKI include sepsis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and various endogenous as well as exogenous toxins. Exogenous toxins include a wide range of pharmaceutical drugs such as antibiotics (vancomycin, aminoglycosides), chemotherapeutic agents and radiographic contrast. The incidence of AKI is approximately 30% of all hospitalized patients receiving nephrotoxic medications. Endogenous toxins include heme-pigments such as myoglobin released during severe muscle injury (rhabdomyolysis) due to crush or blunt trauma, prolonged immobilization or drugs. Heme-pigments are avidly taken up by the kidney where they directly damage cells resulting in AKI. The kidney is particularly susceptible to heme-pigment induced injury with AKI occurring in up to 50% of patients experiencing rhabdomyolysis. As stated above, cilastatin is particularly suited to preventing AKI caused by exogenous and endogenous toxins due to a unique off-target effect that blocks their uptake into the kidney tissue. Several in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that cilastatin prevents acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by multiple nephrotoxic drugs (exogenous toxins) and/or heme-pigments (endogenous toxins). About Arch Biopartners Arch Biopartners Inc. is a late-stage clinical trial company focused on preventing inflammation and acute organ injury. The Company is developing new drug candidates that inhibit inflammation in the lungs, kidneys, and liver via the dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) pathway and are relevant for common injuries and diseases where organ inflammation is an unmet problem. For more information on Arch Biopartners' science and technologies, please visit: For investor information and other public documents the company has also filed on SEDAR, please visit The Company has 62,755,633 common shares outstanding. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws regarding expectations of our future performance, liquidity and capital resources, as well as the ongoing clinical development of our drug candidates targeting the dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) pathway, including the outcome of our clinical trials relating to LSALT peptide (Metablok), the successful commercialization and marketing of our drug candidates, whether we will receive, and the timing and costs of obtaining, regulatory approvals in Canada, the United States, Europe and other countries, our ability to raise capital to fund our business plans, the efficacy of our drug candidates compared to the drug candidates developed by our competitors, our ability to retain and attract key management personnel, and the breadth of, and our ability to protect, our intellectual property portfolio. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, including certain factors and assumptions, as described in our most recent annual audited financial statements and related management discussion and analysis under the heading “Business Risks and Uncertainties”. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, or other unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Additional information relating to Arch Biopartners Inc., including our most recent annual audited financial statements, is available by accessing the Canadian Securities Administrators’ System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) website at . The science and medical contents of this release have been approved by the Company’s Chief Science Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release For more information, please contact: Richard Muruve Chief Executive Officer Arch Biopartners, Inc. 647-428-7031 info@archbiopartners.com