Zaphyr is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusive supply and distribution agreement with Laboratoires CTRS, regarding marketing and sale of CTRS portfolio of pharmaceuticals products in the MENA region.
In 2013, CTRS received EU marketing authorization and orphan drug market exclusivity for its product Orphacol® (cholic acid), indicated for the treatment of two rare inborn errors of metabolism in the primary bile acid synthesis: 3β-hydroxy-Δ5-C27-steroid oxidoreductase and Δ4-3-oxosteroid-5β-reductase deficiency. Orphacol® has been awarded the “Galenus Prize” (most innovative product) in France in 2014 and the International “Galenus Prize” in 2016. Furthermore, Orphacol® has obtained ASMR 1 (highest level of improvement in therapeutic benefit) from the French Health Authority.

In March 2016 the European commission approved the company’s second product, Neofordex®, containing a high and appropriate dosage (40 mg) of dexamethasone, a common component used in combination with other pharmaceuticals in the treatment of multiple myeloma. While already well established in the treatment protocols, prior to the approval of Neofordex®, dexamethasone had only been available in low strengths (0.5-4 mg), forcing patients to take a very high number of tablets (10-80 per day) to achieve the appropriate dosage. In addition to the increased convenience for the patients, since an adequate dose exposure is critical for efficacy of the treatment regimen, the expectation is that the availability of a tablet in appropriate strength could improve compliance and thereby potentially the treatment outcome.

Under the agreement, Zaphyr Pharmaceuticals gains the rights to Orphacol® and Neofordex® in GCC, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia and will be responsible for the distribution, marketing and sale of the products in that territory.

About Laboratoires CTRS

CTRS is a privately held, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for people living with rare and ultra-rare disorders and solid and haematological tumours.

Zaphyr Pharmaceuticals is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusive supply and distribution agreement with Swiss company Gene Signal, relating to their product GS-101 (aganirsen) eye-drops, under development for the treatment of several ophthalmological conditions.
The lead indication is for the treatment of corneal neovascularization, where one phase III trial has been completed, demonstrating good safety and efficacy. A second confirmatory trial is on-going.

Under this agreement Zaphyr Pharmaceuticals gets the exclusive rights to GS-101 in GCC, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, and will be responsible for the distribution, provision and sale of the product in that territory.

GS-101 is a very exciting product under development for a number of indications with high unmet medical needs and provides a new treatment option for patients suffering from abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye, a common problem within ophthalmology.

About Gene Signal
Gene Signal International SA is a Swiss-based biotechnology company pioneering the development of innovative therapies for angiogenesis-based diseases. Its product candidates are a new class of oligonucleotides, proteins and monoclonal antibodies, which are derived from genes that are exclusively involved in the angiogenesis process. At least four official candidates are in development for eleven indications in ophthalmology, dermatology, vascular disorders and cancer. The company was founded in 2000, is privately owned, and is led by a team of highly qualified scientific and commercial talents. Its headquarters are in Lausanne (EPFL Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), Switzerland, with research programs based in France (Bioparc Genopole, Evry) and product development in Canada (Montreal). For more information, please visit: www.genesignal.com