Benvitimod

Conduit Pharmaceuticals files next generation cocrystal patent for VTAMA® (tapinarof) which the Company believes could be a superior asset with both inflammatory and autoimmune prospectives just as the drug approaches 2027 exclusivity expiration, positioning the Company for high-value licensing partnerships. NAPLES, Fla. and CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: CDT) ("Conduit Pharmaceuticals" or "Conduit" or the “Company”) today announces the filing of two groundbreaking patents for tapinarof (VTAMA®), including a dual active cocrystal, pairing the drug currently approved in the US for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis with a complementary drug substance known to address key patient needs in inflammatory skin conditions. The Company anticipates this combination drug approach could offer enhanced patient benefits over existing tapinarof formulations by addressing both therapeutic needs and known side effects, such as pain and itch, which are a known priority to sufferers of these conditions but typically overlooked by standard treatments that focus on the underlying disease alone. This innovative approach differentiates Conduit's intellectual property from existing formulation patents, offering potential partners a next generation tapinarof asset with what the Company estimates to be extensive commercial viability. This comes at a critical juncture for VTAMA®, a drug that has demonstrated blockbuster potential through Organon's $1.2 billion acquisition from Dermavant Sciences yet could face imminent generic competition upon exclusivity expiry in 2027. The timing is particularly strategic in the Company’s view, with tapinarof now entering clinical trials for cutaneous lupus and showing promise across multiple other inflammatory and autoimmune indications. Conduit's novel approach could enable an even broader range of high-value therapeutic opportunities, positioning Conduit at the forefront of a rapidly growing market segment. Conduit believes this new IP could enable formulations of tapinarof that address three key market needs: improved patient tolerability, extended patent protection, and expanded therapeutic applications. The global market for anti-inflammatory therapies, projected to exceed $233.6 billion by 2032 presents significant growth potential as tapinarof’s mechanism of action shows increasing relevance across numerous inflammatory conditions. By cocrystallizing Tapinarof with a therapeutic agent specifically selected to address unmet patient needs, Conduit has created an asset that combines potential clinical benefits with strong intellectual property protection during the crucial window before generic market entry, while simultaneously positioning the Company in the larger inflammatory/autoimmune space. The addition of this new asset to Conduit's portfolio reinforces the Company's business model of identifying and enhancing clinically validated compounds with high commercial potential. This approach previously yielded success with Conduit's development of AZD1656 for autoimmune diseases and continues to drive the Company's pipeline strategy. With the anti-inflammatory therapeutics market as a whole growing at nearly 9% annually and dermatology treatments maintaining 6-8% growth through 2030, Conduit believes a new patent protected tapinarof product represents a unique opportunity for partners seeking to exploit the full potential of the drug by both maximising its position in the dermatology space alongside expanding its market into other high value disease areas with current unmet needs. "With this strategic addition to our portfolio, we are not just adding another asset, but adding what we believe to be a highly commercially valuable patent position for tapinarof," said Dr. Joanne Holland, Chief Scientific Officer of Conduit Pharmaceuticals. "Whilst the current formulation is focused purely on underlying disease, our tapinarof cocrystal aims to offer a multifaceted approach addressing patient symptoms as well as disease. New composition of matter IP, on a drug that could imminently face generic competition on near-term exclusivity expiry, could offer partners a strong position to exploit its market potential in the wider inflammatory and autoimmune space. We are now actively pursuing partnerships that can leverage this breakthrough IP while we continue to advance our broader pipeline." About Conduit Pharmaceuticals Conduit is a multi-asset clinical stage, life science company delivering an efficient model for compound development. Conduit both acquires and funds the development of Phase 2-ready assets, building an integrated and advanced platform-driven approach powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and cybernetics, and seeking an exit through third-party license deals following successful clinical trials. Led by a highly experienced team of pharmaceutical executives including Dr. David Tapolczay and Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, this novel approach is a departure from the traditional pharma/biotech business model of taking assets through regulatory approval. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding Conduit's future results of operations and financial position, Conduit's business strategy, prospective product candidates, product approvals, research and development costs, timing and likelihood of success, plans and objectives of management for future operations, future results of current and anticipated studies and business endeavours with third parties, and future results of current and anticipated product candidates, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to; the inability to maintain the listing of Conduit's securities on Nasdaq; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination completed in September 2023, which may be affected by, among other things, competition; the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth economically and hire and retain key employees; the risks that Conduit's product candidates in development fail clinical trials or are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other applicable authorities on a timely basis or at all; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that Conduit may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and other risks and uncertainties to be identified in the proxy statement/prospectus (as amended and supplemented) relating to the business combination completed in September 2023, including those under "Risk Factors" therein, and in other filings made by Conduit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, Conduit operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond Conduit's control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and except as required by law, Conduit assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Conduit gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations. Investors & Media:info@conduitpharma.com

The annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology was held from March 7 to 11 in Orlando, Florida, and attracted clinicians, academicians, allied health professionals, and others interested in dermatology. The conference highlighted recent advances in the diagnosis and management of dermatological conditions. During one presentation, Joshua Cook, M.D., of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, noted that targeting insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia is important not only for the treatment of obesity and diabetes, but potentially also independently for improving metabolism-related inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa. Cook discussed the tight epidemiologic connection between obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory skin diseases, especially psoriasis. The mechanistic basis of this connection is likely due to insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinemia. Cook noted that hyperinsulinemia likely drives excessive proliferation and inflammation of skin lesions in psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases, even in the setting of systemic insulin resistance. "We are currently performing clinical studies to better understand the role of insulin action in psoriasis," Cook said. "Health care providers should strongly consider screening patients with overweight/obesity and inflammatory skin diseases with hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, and lipid profiles. Treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists may improve inflammatory skin disease activity (an area of active research). There may also be roles for metformin and pioglitazone in inflammatory skin disease treatment in select patients." Abstract During another presentation, Daniel Charles Butler, M.D., of the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, discussed the connection between itch and aging. Butler discussed how itch is very common in the older adult population. He noted there are many etiologic contributors to itch, including the immune system, the skin barrier, and the cutaneous nerves, all of which are uniquely impacted by aging. "As practicing clinicians, we need to substantiate itch as a real, impactful but targetable symptom and disease," Butler said. "The connection between age and itching allows us to target contributing etiologies with available treatments. For example, itch in older adults is often multifactorial with immunologic changes and neuropathic changes. This allows us to use treatment to target multiple contributors." Butler disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Abstract Adam J. Friedman, M.D., of the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C., discussed how food allergy is an extremely rare cause of chronic urticaria with no identifiable cause (CSU), and some food intolerances may contribute, but responses are highly individualized and elimination diets should only be done in a structured way. Friedman provided insight into how urticaria, both acute and chronic, is a common condition, affecting as many as 80 percent of people at some point in their lives. For approximately 1 percent of individuals who develop chronic urticaria, this condition can last for years, significantly impacting quality of life. While patients often search for a clear trigger, more than two-thirds of cases occur without an identifiable cause. Although food allergies can trigger acute urticaria, particularly in children, when it comes to CSU, food allergy is rarely a culprit. Friedman noted that, instead, he often sees food intolerances or pseudoallergic reactions, which may contribute to symptoms in some individuals. This distinction is important because a true food allergy involves an immune response, and food intolerances tend to be more variable, harder to predict, and less understood. A number of studies have explored dietary interventions in CSU, but the results so far have been mixed at best. "At the end of the day, lifestyle modifications are cost-effective, noninvasive, and worth exploring, but they require proper education and guidance -- both for patients and physicians. This remains an underfunded and underresearched area, but as interest grows, we may gain clearer insights into how diet influences CSU," Friedman said. "While it's tempting to believe that cutting out a few foods might be a silver bullet, CSU is a complex, multifactorial condition. And as with most things in dermatology, there's rarely a one-size-fits-all approach." Friedman disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Abstract Peggy A. Wu, M.D., of the University of California Davis in Sacramento, discussed how systemic contact dermatitis (SCD) is a diagnosis to consider in the setting of a chronic, recalcitrant rash in the right clinical setting, although the diagnosis is not common. Wu discussed how SCD represents a small subset of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) diagnoses. Like ACD, SCD is thought to be a delayed hypersensitivity reaction, and as such, reactions follow exposures in hours to days. SCD can present in a myriad of ways, including, most commonly, vesicular bilateral hand dermatitis, generalized dermatitis, and periorificial dermatitis. Frequent causes of SCD include exposure to nickel, balsam of Peru, and fragrance. The diagnosis is usually made in the setting of a chronic rash with positive patch test results to an allergen with plausible, relevant dietary sources and following topical avoidance of identified allergens. "Physicians should consider the diagnosis of SCD in the setting of a recalcitrant chronic rash with certain phenotypes (vesicular bilateral hand dermatitis, generalized dermatitis, periorificial) and positive patch test reactions to allergen(s) with a possible relevant dietary source," Wu said. "A recommended approach to SCD is to start with a one-month trial of dietary modification. Longer courses of dietary modification may benefit from working with a dietitian to maintain nutritional need." Abstract AAD: Baricitinib Efficacious for Hair Regrowth in Teens With Severe Alopecia Areata TUESDAY, March 18, 2025 -- For adolescents with severe alopecia areata, baricitinib is efficacious for hair regrowth, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, held from March 7 to 11 in Orlando, Florida. Read Full Text AAD: Maintenance of Low Eczema Activity Seen After About 80 Days Off Tapinarof FRIDAY, March 14, 2025 -- Patients with atopic dermatitis who achieve completely clear skin with tapinarof ( Vtama ) cream maintain low disease activity after about 80 days off treatment, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, held from March 7 to 11 in Orlando, Florida. Read Full Text AAD: Ivarmacitinib 4 mg, 8 mg Efficacious for Adults With Severe Alopecia Areata THURSDAY, March 13, 2025 -- For adults with severe alopecia areata, ivarmacitinib, a selective Janus kinase 1 inhibitor, at doses of 4 and 8 mg is efficacious and tolerable, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, held from March 7 to 11 in Orlando, Florida. Read Full Text Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.