Merck to Acquire Afferent Pharmaceuticals

Merck to Acquire Afferent Pharmaceuticals

KENILWORTH, NJ & SAN MATEO, CA June 9, 2016 – Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Afferent Pharmaceuticals announced today that the two companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Merck will acquire this privately held pharmaceutical company. Afferent Pharmaceuticals is a leader in the development of therapeutic candidates targeting the P2X3 receptor for the treatment of common, poorly-managed, neurogenic conditions. Afferent’s lead investigational candidate, AF-219, is a selective, non-narcotic, orally-administered P2X3 antagonist currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b clinical trial for the treatment of refractory, chronic cough as well as in a Phase 2 clinical trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with cough.

Afferent Pharmaceuticals Announces Presentations of Chronic Cough Clinical Data and Hypertension Research for the Upcoming American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2016 International Conference

San Mateo, CA – April 25, 2016 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of small molecule compounds for the treatment of poorly managed and common neurogenic disorders, announced today that it will present four papers at the upcoming American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2016 International Conference, to be held May 13-18, 2016 in San Francisco. The abstracts will cover clinical and preclinical data related to AF-219 and AF-130, the company’s orally available, first-in-class compounds that selectively block P2X3 receptors.

Afferent Pharmaceuticals Advances Novel Molecule, AF-130, to Phase 1 Clinical Trial

San Mateo, CA – December 8, 2015 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of small molecule compounds for the treatment of poorly managed and common neurogenic disorders, announced today initiation of the company’s Phase 1 trial of AF-130, a selective and differentiated P2X3 antagonist. Afferent’s Phase 1, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial is designed to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single ascending doses and, in a second cohort, multiple ascending doses of AF-130 administered to healthy subjects. Further information regarding the study can be found at https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

Afferent Pharmaceuticals Expands Executive Leadership Team With Appointments of Prabha N. Ibrahim, PhD, as Chief Technology Officer and Michelle Carpenter, JD, RAC, as Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Project Management

San Mateo, CA – November 19, 2015 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of small molecule compounds for the treatment of poorly managed and common neurogenic disorders, today announced the appointments of Prabha N. Ibrahim, Ph.D., as chief technology officer and Michelle Carpenter, J.D., RAC, as vice president of regulatory affairs and project management. The Company is expanding its executive team as it advances its lead program and first-in-class drug candidate, AF-219, to late-stage clinical development and potential registration. AF-219 is a selective, non-narcotic, and orally administered P2X3 antagonist that targets the mechanism by which certain nerve fibers become hyper-sensitized and can lead to chronic and debilitating symptoms.

Afferent Pharmaceuticals Announces Phase 2 Clinical Trial with AF-219 in Cough in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Patients

San Mateo, CA, November 11, 2015 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of small molecule compounds for the treatment of poorly managed and common neurogenic disorders, today announced that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial with AF-219 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients (IPF) with cough. AF-219 is a selective, non-narcotic and orally administered P2X3 antagonist that targets the mechanism by which certain nerve fibers become hyper-sensitized and can lead to chronic and debilitating symptoms. The study is expected to enroll at least 30 patients at more than 15 sites in the United States, including leading pulmonary fibrosis specialty treatment centers.

Afferent Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Results in Phase 2b Chronic Cough Trial

SAN MATEO, Calif – September 28, 2015 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of small molecule compounds targeting P2X3 for the treatment of poorly managed and common neurogenic disorders, such as chronic cough, today announced positive top-line results from its Phase 2b dose escalation clinical trial of AF-219 in chronic cough patients. AF-219 is a selective, non-narcotic and orally administered P2X3 antagonist that targets the mechanism by which certain nerve fibers become hyper-sensitized and can lead to chronic and debilitating symptoms. The results of this clinical trial will be presented at a scientific meeting in the future.

Afferent Pharmaceuticals Raises $55 Million in Oversubscribed Crossover Financing

SAN MATEO, Calif.—July 8, 2015 – Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of neurogenic respiratory, urologic and pain disorders, today announced the completion of a $55 million Series C financing. The proceeds will fund the advancement of the company’s first-in-class drug candidate AF-219 for the treatment of pathologic cough, including for cough in IPF patients, as well as advancement of its next candidate compound to the clinic for cardiovascular and other diseases. AF-219 is a selective, non-narcotic and orally administered P2X3 antagonist. The oversubscribed Series C financing was led by Fidelity Management & Research Company, with participation from other crossover funds Jennison Associates LLC (on behalf of certain clients), New Leaf Ventures, Partner Fund Management, Redmile Group, Tekla Healthcare Investors and Tekla Life Science Investors, in addition to an undisclosed blue chip public investment fund.

Afferent Clinical Data Demonstrating AF-219 Treatment Reduces Cough Frequency by 75% in Chronic Cough is Published in The Lancet

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Afferent Pharmaceuticals today announced publication of results from a Phase 2 clinical trial demonstrating that the company’s novel drug candidate, AF-219, reduced daytime cough frequency by 75% compared to placebo in patients with treatment-refractory chronic cough. These data are featured in an article titled, "P2X3 Receptor Antagonist (AF-219) in Refractory Chronic Cough: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Study," which is appearing online in The Lancet. These results support Afferent’s current development strategy to initiate a Phase 2b clinical trial early in 2015. AF-219 is a selective, non-narcotic and orally administered agent that targets the mechanism by which certain nerve fibers become hyper-sensitized and lead to chronic and debilitating symptoms such as cough.

Roche Licenses First-in-Class Treatments for Chronic Pain to Afferent Pharmaceuticals

 
Pappas, Third Rock, Domain and New Leaf Launch New Company Centered on Novel Pain
Management Technology; Afferent to Initiate Clinical Trials in First Half of 2010

Basel, Switzerland and Palo Alto, Calif., 16 December 2009 – Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today it has licensed its P2X3i receptor program aimed at developing first-in-class treatments for chronic pain to Afferent Pharmaceuticals. Afferent was co-founded by Anthony Ford, Ph.D., Pappas Ventures, and Third Rock Ventures, and is focused on developing compounds that treat chronic pain by targeting a novel biological pathway. In conjunction with this announcement, Afferent successfully closed a $23 million Series A financing, which was led by Third Rock Ventures and Pappas Ventures, and included Domain Associates and New Leaf Venture Partners. Proceeds from the financing will be used to accelerate the development of P2X3 receptor targeted pain therapies.