ASCL1

GENT, Belgium & AMSTERDAM--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Fujirebio Europe and Self-screen B.V. today announced an expansion of their commercial collaboration with the distribution of the PreCursor-M AnoGYN methylation-specific molecular assay from Self-screen B.V. The test is intended for the detection of promoter hypermethylation of the genes ASCL1 and ZNF582 and is used to test the methylations status of anal specimens for research use only (RUO). It complements Fujirebio's HPV-associated molecular test portfolio. “The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test panel of Fujirebio Europe continues to grow with effective and accurate testing solutions, and we are pleased to add this new RUO methylation-based assay to our molecular testing toolbox,” says Christiaan De Wilde, CEO at Fujirebio Europe “With its unmatched accuracy and reliability, this innovative PreCursor-M AnoGYN assay represents a significant advancement for research studies in the field of anal cancer prevention. We wanted our customers to have access to this valuable research tool as soon as possible, ultimately catalyzing advancements in elimination of HPV-related diseases.” “ We are very happy with the continued partnership with Fujirebio in the distribution of Self-screen’s HPV tests and methylation tests, ” says Michelle Meijer, Chief Commercial Officer at Self-screen B.V. “ The PreCursor-M AnoGYN extends our offering of HPV products into the field of anal cancer. Also in this HPV-related cancer, methylation appears to be promising for future use as an accurate biomarker for objective risk stratification of anal lesions. The growing medical need for better and more supportive diagnostics tools for HPV related cancers such as anal cancer drove us to the development of the PreCursor-M AnoGYN RUO assay which is now available through Fujirebio.” About host cell DNA methylation and anal cancer Incidence of anal cancer is increasing worldwide. The majority of anal cancers are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and are, like cervical cancer, mainly caused by a persistent high-risk HPV infection and preceded by high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). In analogy with cervical cancer screening, the screening and treatment of HSIL to prevent anal cancer in high-risk groups are under debate. Host cell DNA methylation is an epigenetic hallmark of HPV-induced carcinogenesis. The PreCursor-M AnoGYN assay is a robust and reliable tool to further investigate host cell DNA methylation in anal carcinogenesis and study its potential as a valuable biomarker for the detection of anal (pre-)cancer. 1-4 Please contact Fujirebio for further information about the local availability of the test. About Self-screen B.V. Self-screen B.V. is a company highly experienced in translational HPV related research, assay development and commercialization of In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD). Our dedication is towards the development and clinical application of molecular assays for the early detection of anogenital and head & neck (pre)cancers, to the benefit of patients and health care programs around the world. Our main focus is on cervical (pre)cancer screening and prevention. Self-screen markets two clinically validated CE-IVD assays. The HPV-Risk-Assay and the PreCursor-M+ Methylation Test, for screening and triage respectively, to support full molecular cervical screening and to assist the clinician in management of women with high-grade CIN. Recently PreCursor-M AnoGYN RUO is added. For more information, visit www.self-screen.nl . About Fujirebio Fujirebio is a global leader in the field of high-quality IVD testing. We have more than 50 years’ accumulated experience in the conception, development, production, and worldwide commercialization of robust IVD products. Fujirebio has a long-lasting tradition for developing high-quality routine and truly novel biomarkers. Our IVD product lines span the range from specialized manual and automated testing to fully automated routine clinical laboratory testing solutions covering a variety of disease states. Our global presence includes offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia as well as a vast international distribution network. For more information, visit www.fujirebio.com . References: van der Zee R.P. , et al. Host cell deoxyribonucleic acid methylation markers for the detection of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia and anal cancer. Clin. Infect. Dis., 68 (7); 1110-1117, 2019 van der Zee R.P. , et al. Cancer risk stratification of anal intraepithelial neoplasia in human immunodeficiency virus-positive men by validated methylation markers associated with progression to cancer. Clin. Infect. Dis., 72 (12); 2154-2163, 2021 van der Zee R.P. , et al. DNA methylation markers have universal prognostic value for anal cancer risk in HIV-negative and HIV-positive individuals. Mol. Oncol., 15 (11); 3024-3036, 2021, 2021 Rozemeijer K, et al . Analytical validation and diagnostic performance of the ASCL1 / ZNF582 methylation test for detection of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia and anal cancer. Tumour Virus Res. 30;17:200275, 2023

The key to a new cardiomyocyte-making technique is a gene activity-controlling protein called Ascl1, which is known to be a crucial protein involved in turning fibroblasts into neurons. Researchers had thought Ascl1 was neuron-specific. Scientists at the UNC School of Medicine have made a significant advance in the promising field of cellular reprogramming and organ regeneration, and the discovery could play a major role in future medicines to heal damaged hearts. In a study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill discovered a more streamlined and efficient method for reprogramming scar tissue cells (fibroblasts) to become healthy heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes). Fibroblasts produce the fibrous, stiff tissue that contributes to heart failure after a heart attack or because of heart disease. Turning fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes is being investigated as a potential future strategy for treating or even someday curing this common and deadly condition. Surprisingly, the key to the new cardiomyocyte-making technique turned out to be a gene activity-controlling protein called Ascl1, which is known to be a crucial protein involved in turning fibroblasts into neurons. Researchers had thought Ascl1 was neuron-specific. "It's an outside-the-box finding, and we expect it to be useful in developing future cardiac therapies and potentially other kinds of therapeutic cellular reprogramming," said study senior author Li Qian, PhD, associate professor in the UNC Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine and associate director of the McAllister Heart Institute at UNC School of Medicine. Scientists over the last 15 years have developed various techniques to reprogram adult cells to become stem cells, then to induce those stem cells to become adult cells of some other type. More recently, scientists have been finding ways to do this reprogramming more directly -- straight from one mature cell type to another. The hope has been that when these methods are made maximally safe, effective, and efficient, doctors will be able to use a simple injection into patients to reprogram harm-causing cells into beneficial ones. "Reprogramming fibroblasts has long been one of the important goals in the field," Qian said. "Fibroblast over-activity underlies many major diseases and conditions including heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver disease, kidney disease, and the scar-like brain damage that occurs after strokes." In the new study, Qian's team, including co-first-authors Haofei Wang, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher, and MD/PhD student Benjamin Keepers, used three existing techniques to reprogram mouse fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes, liver cells, and neurons. Their aim was to catalogue and compare the changes in cells' gene activity patterns and gene-activity regulation factors during these three distinct reprogrammings. Unexpectedly, the researchers found that the reprogramming of fibroblasts into neurons activated a set of cardiomyocyte genes. Soon they determined that this activation was due to Ascl1, one of the master-programmer "transcription factor" proteins that had been used to make the neurons. Since Ascl1 activated cardiomyocyte genes, the researchers added it to the three-transcription-factor cocktail they had been using for making cardiomyocytes, to see what would happen. They were astonished to find that it dramatically increased the efficiency of reprogramming -- the proportion of successfully reprogrammed cells -- by more than ten times. In fact, they found that they could now dispense with two of the three factors from their original cocktail, retaining only Ascl1 and another transcription factor called Mef2c. In further experiments they found evidence that Ascl1 on its own activates both neuron and cardiomyocyte genes, but it shifts away from the pro-neuron role when accompanied by Mef2c. In synergy with Mef2c, Ascl1 switches on a broad set of cardiomyocyte genes. "Ascl1 and Mef2c work together to exert pro-cardiomyocyte effects that neither factor alone exerts, making for a potent reprogramming cocktail," Qian said. The results show that the major transcription factors used in direct cellular reprogramming aren't necessarily exclusive to one targeted cell type. Perhaps more importantly, they represent another step on the path towards future cell-reprogramming therapies for major disorders. Qian says that she and her team hope to make a two-in-one synthetic protein that contains the effective bits of both Ascl1 and Mef2c, and could be injected into failing hearts to mend them. "Cross-lineage Potential of Ascl1 Uncovered by Comparing Diverse Reprogramming Regulatomes" was co-authored by Haofei Wang, Benjamin Keepers, Yunzhe Qian, Yifang Xie, Marazzano Colon, Jiandong Liu, and Li Qian. Funding was provided by the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health (T32HL069768, F30HL154659, R35HL155656, R01HL139976, R01HL139880).

Chardan's 6th Annual Genetic Medicines Conference MSD European Business Development Outreach Iberian Digital Forum AACR Special Conference: Cancer Epigenomics Brain Innovation Days HealthTech Innovation Days BIO-Europe 2022 34th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium MADRID, Spain and BOSTON, Oct. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oryzon Genomics, S.A. (ISIN Code: ES0167733015, ORY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging epigenetics to develop therapies in diseases with strong unmet medical need, announced today that its management will give an update on corporate progress at several international events in October. Oryzon will participate at the Chardan's 6th Annual Genetic Medicines Conference, which will be held on October 3-4 in New York (USA). The company will hold one-to-one meetings with pharmaceutical companies and global investors. Click on link for more info about the Chardan's 6th Annual Genetic Medicines Conference Oryzon will participate at the MSD European Business Development Outreach, which will be held on October 5 in Zurich (Switzerland). The company will hold one-to-one meetings with pharmaceutical companies and global investors. Oryzon will participate at the Iberian Digital Forum on October 6-7, where the company will hold one-to-one meetings with national investors. Oryzon will participate at the AACR Special Conference: Cancer Epigenomics in Washington (USA) on October 6-8, where the company will present a poster communication entitled: “ASCL1 and SOX2 expression levels predict sensitivity to LSD1 inhibition with iadademstat in small cell lung cancer” on October 7 at 18:00 ET. Click on link for more info about the AACR Special Conference: Cancer Epigenomics Oryzon has been invited to the European Brain Council (EBC)’s annual European congress, Brain Innovation Days, which will be held on October 11-12 in Brussels (Belgium). The company will take part in a panel discussion entitled “Innovative Funding Models”, taking place on October 12 at 14:35 CEST. Click on link for more info about the Brain Innovation Days Oryzon has been invited to the HealthTech Innovation Days, which will be held on October 13-14 in Paris (France). The company will participate at a round table devoted to age-related diseases on October 13 at 11:00 CEST. Click on link for more info about the HealthTech Innovation Days Oryzon will attend BIO-Europe 2022, which will be held in Leipzig (Germany) and virtually on October 24-26, where the company will provide a corporate update and will also hold one-to-one meetings with pharmaceutical companies and global investors. Click on link for more info about BIO-Europe 2022 Finally, Oryzon will participate at the 34th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium, which will be held on October 26-28 in Barcelona (Spain). The company will present two poster communications entitled “Iadademstat effects on neuroendocrine, inflamed and mesenchymal gene expression patterns in small cell lung cancer subtypes” and “Iadademstat and gilteritinib synergistically abrogate viability of both treatment-naïve and drug-resistant AML cells” on October 27. Click on link for more info about the 34th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium About OryzonFounded in 2000 in Barcelona, Spain, Oryzon (ISIN Code: ES0167733015) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company considered as the European leader in epigenetics. Oryzon has one of the strongest portfolios in the field, with two LSD1 inhibitors, iadademstat and vafidemstat, in Phase II clinical trials, and other pipeline assets directed against other epigenetic targets. In addition, Oryzon has a strong platform for biomarker identification and target validation for a variety of malignant and neurological diseases. For more information, visit www.oryzon.com About Iadademstat Iadademstat (ORY-1001) is a small oral molecule, which acts as a highly selective inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme LSD1 and has a powerful differentiating effect in hematologic cancers (see Maes et al., Cancer Cell 2018 Mar 12; 33 (3): 495-511.e12.doi: 10.1016 / j.ccell.2018.02.002.). A FiM Phase I/IIa clinical trial with iadademstat in R/R AML patients demonstrated the safety and good tolerability of the drug and preliminary signs of antileukemic activity, including a CRi (see Salamero et al, J Clin Oncol, 2020, 38(36): 4260-4273. doi: 10.1200/JCO.19.03250). In an ongoing, fully-accrued Phase IIa trial in elder 1L-AML patients (ALICE trial), iadademstat has shown encouraging safety and efficacy data in combination with azacitidine (see Salamero et al., EHA 2022 poster). The company has obtained approval from the U.S. FDA for its IND for FRIDA, a Phase Ib trial of iadademstat plus gilteritinib in patients with relapsed/refractory AML with FLT3 mutations. Beyond hematological cancers, the inhibition of LSD1 has been proposed as a valid therapeutic approach in some solid tumors such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), neuroendocrine tumors (NET), medulloblastoma and others. In a Phase IIa trial in combination with platinum/etoposide in second line ED-SCLC patients (CLEPSIDRA trial), preliminary activity and safety results have been reported (see Navarro et al., ESMO 2018 poster). New trials in combination in SCLC and NET are under preparation. Oryzon has recently entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) to collaborate on potential further clinical development of iadademstat in different types of solid and hematological cancers. In total iadademstat has been dosed so far to more than 100 cancer patients in four clinical trials. Iadademstat has orphan drug designation for SCLC in the US and for AML in the US and EU. About Vafidemstat Vafidemstat (ORY-2001) is an oral, CNS optimized LSD1 inhibitor. The molecule acts on several levels: it reduces cognitive impairment, including memory loss and neuroinflammation, and at the same time has neuroprotective effects. In animal studies vafidemstat not only restores memory but reduces the exacerbated aggressiveness of SAMP8 mice, a model for accelerated aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), to normal levels and also reduces social avoidance and enhances sociability in murine models. In addition, vafidemstat exhibits fast, strong and durable efficacy in several preclinical models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Oryzon has performed two Phase IIa clinical trials in aggressiveness in patients with different psychiatric disorders (REIMAGINE) and in aggressive/agitated patients with moderate or severe AD (REIMAGINE-AD), with positive clinical results reported in both. Additional finalized Phase IIa clinical trials with vafidemstat include the ETHERAL trial in patients with Mild to Moderate AD, where a significant reduction of the inflammatory biomarker YKL40 has been observed after 6 and 12 months of treatment, and the pilot, small scale SATEEN trial in Relapse-Remitting and Secondary Progressive MS, where antiinflammatory activity has also been observed. Vafidemstat has also been tested in a Phase II in severe Covid-19 patients (ESCAPE) assessing the capability of the drug to prevent ARDS, one of the most severe complications of the viral infection, where it showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in severe Covid-19 patients. Currently, vafidemstat is in two Phase IIb trials in borderline personality disorder (PORTICO) and in schizophrenia patients (EVOLUTION). The company is also deploying a CNS precision medicine approach with vafidemstat in genetically-defined patient subpopulations of certain CNS disorders and is preparing a clinical trial in Kabuki Syndrome patients. The company is also exploring the clinical development of vafidemstat in other neurodevelopmental syndromes. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This communication contains, or may contain, forward-looking information and statements about Oryzon, including financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, capital expenditures, synergies, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar expressions. Although Oryzon believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Oryzon shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Oryzon that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the documents sent by Oryzon to the Spanish Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), which are accessible to the public. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and have not been reviewed by the auditors of Oryzon. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Oryzon or any of its members, directors, officers, employees or any persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to Oryzon on the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, Oryzon does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Oryzon’s securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering of Oryzon’s securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Oryzon or the selling security holder, as applicable, that will contain detailed information about Oryzon and management, as well as financial statements. IR, USIR & Media, EuropeSpainOryzonAshley R. RobinsonSandya von der WeidPatricia CoboSaikat NandiLifeSci Advisors, LLCLifeSci Advisors, LLC/ Carlos C. UngríaChief Business Officer+1 617 430 7577+41 78 680 05 38+34 91 564 07 25+1 917 208 8293arr@lifesciadvisors.comsvonderweid@lifesciadvisors.compcobo@atrevia.comcungria@atrevia.comsnandi@oryzon.com