GALVESTON, Texas, Feb. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Chrysalis BioTherapeutics, Inc. today announced initiation of a three-year $5.45 million contract with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH-NIAID) to develop TP508 as a countermeasure to increase survival and reduce delayed effects of an accidental or intentional nuclear detonation.
“TP508 represents a natural product released at sites of tissue injury to stimulate repair,” said Dr. Laurie Sower, Chrysalis’ Vice President of Research. “It therefore may provide a safe solution to prevent long-term radiation-induced tissue damage.”
Preclinical studies demonstrate that TP508 significantly increases survival when injected 24 hours after radiation exposure by restoring vascular and progenitor cell function. “TP508 protects endothelial cells lining blood vessels and stimulates replacement of radiation damaged cells in a number of tissues,” explained Chrysalis CEO, Dr. Darrell Carney. “TP508 also accelerates repair of radiation damaged DNA, suggesting that it may help prevent delayed effects of radiation that may manifest months or years after exposure.”
The company is also developing TP508 for use in combination with radiation therapy. “We have to be prepared, but hope there is never the need for a nuclear countermeasure,” said Carney. “The use of TP508 to protect normal tissue from radiation therapy while allowing radiation to kill tumors, however, could benefit millions of people each year.”
This contract award will allow Chrysalis to complete key steps required for FDA approval including additional validation efficacy studies to be completed under the direction of Isabel Jackson, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology and Director of Medical Countermeasure Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Chrysalis BioTherapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical development company located in Galveston, TX. TP508 (rusalatide acetate) is licensed from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston, TX. TP508 is not yet FDA approved and is currently only available for investigational use. For additional information contact Dr. Darrell Carney, CEO dcarney@chrysbio.com or visit https://chrysbio.com.
Research reported in this press release was in whole or part supported with federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health under Contract Number HHSN272201700011C. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and Chrysalis BioTherapeutics, Inc. and does not necessarily represent official views of the National Institutes of Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, or The University of Maryland School of Medicine.