Delenex Therapeutics AG Expands Pipeline with Anti-IL-17A and Anti-IL-1β PENTRA^(R)Body Programs

- Extremely high potency and small size uniquely position products in dermatological and inflammatory diseases

Schlieren/Zurich, September 15, 2014 - Delenex Therapeutics AG, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company primarily developing treatments for dermatological diseases using its proprietary PENTRA^(R)Bodies, today announced that it has expanded its pipeline with two PENTRA^(R)Bodies targeting interIeukin-17A and interleukin-1β.

Delenex has generated an anti-IL-17A PENTRA^(R)Body for the treatment of dermatological and other inflammatory diseases. IL-17A is a pivotal interleukin which has been shown to play a key role in such medical conditions. Systemic administration of anti-IL-17A IgGs is an effective treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and other diseases. The small size of about 25 kDa of the PENTRA^(R)Body and its extraordinary neutralizing potency (IC₅₀) of <= 5 picomolar allow a unique positioning as compared to other anti-IL-17A treatments currently in clinical development.

Delenex' lead candidate neutralizing IL-1β is a PENTRA^(R)Body for the treatment of acne and other inflammatory diseases such as gouty arthritis. Delenex' anti-IL-1β displays neutralizing potency in the femtomolar IC₅₀ range (<= 600 fM). IL-1β has been shown to be overexpressed in lesions of acne and to be a key mediator of skin inflammation in this disease that affects a substantial fraction of the population and demands innovative treatment modalities, especially in case of moderate-to-severe forms of acne. In gout, the high potency and small size allow the application of this PENTRA^(R)Body especially for the treatment of gout flares, where a fast onset and short action of the drug is required.

"The identification of such highly potent PENTRA^(R)Bodies in a short period of time proves once again the power of our technology. PENTRA^(R)Bodies are uniquely positioned vis-à-vis existing therapies and address the increasing demand for therapies that combine high potency with a favorable safety profile and cost-efficiency", commented Titus Kretzschmar, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Delenex.

About Delenex Therapeutics AG

Delenex is a privately-held, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of locally and systemically applied antibody therapeutics. Delenex aims at extending the benefits of proven antibody therapeutics to a much larger number of people suffering from psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, acne and other, dermatological and non-dermatologic, diseases. Delenex' proprietary PENTRA^(R)Bodies are small, highly potent and stable antibody fragments that are superior in penetrating tissues and in crossing barriers in the human body.
Delenex was founded in September 2009 as a spin-off from ESBATech (now a Novartis company).

For further details please contact:

Jakob Schlapbach, CFO
Delenex Therapeutics AG
Wagistrasse 27
CH-8952 Schlieren
Phone: +41 44 730 5180
E-mail: jakob.schlapbach@delenex.com
Website: www.delenex.com