- Preclinical studies demonstrate rencofilstat may protect against NASH/NAFLD, shift the liver transcriptome and lipidome toward NASH resolution – EDISON, N.J., June 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:HEPA), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on artificial Intelligence (“AI”)-assisted therapeutic drug development for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”), fibrotic diseases, hepatocellular carcinoma (“HCC”), and other chronic diseases, announced that two abstracts have been accepted for poster presentations at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) International Liver Congress™ 2023 taking place June 21 - 24, 2023 in Vienna, Austria and digitally. The first poster, to be presented by The Scripps Research Institute’s Winston Stauffer, PhD, demonstrates the role of cyclophilin B in the development of NAFLD and NASH in preclinical models, confirming rencofilstat’s mechanism of action as a cyclophilin inhibitor can offer protection against the development of these diseases. Details of the accepted abstracts for poster presentations are as follows:
Abstract Number and Identifier:1893; WED-420Abstract Title:Mice lacking Cyclophilin B, but not Cyclophilin A, are significantly protected from the development of major features of NAFLD/NASH in a diet and chemical-induced modelAuthors:Winston Stauffer1, Daren Ure2, Robert Foster2, Philippe Gallay1Presenter:Dr. Winston StaufferSession:Poster - NAFLD: Experimental and pathophysiologyDate:June 21, 2023Time:9:00am – 6:00pm Abstract Number and Identifier:2552; WED-455Abstract Title:Cyclophilin inhibition with rencofilstat shifts the liver transcriptome and lipidome in preclinical models toward resolution of nonalcoholic steatohepatitisAuthors:Daren Ure2, Winston Stauffer1, Bhavesh Variya2, Lacey Haddon2, Patrick Mayo2, Philippe Gallay1, Robert Foster2Presenter:Dr. Daren UreSession:Poster - NAFLD: Experimental and pathophysiologyDate:June 21, 2023Time:9:00am – 6:00pm 1 The Scripps Research, United States, 2Hepion Pharmaceuticals/Research, Canada/United States Hepion has created a proprietary AI platform, called AI-POWR™, which stands for Artificial Intelligence - Precision Medicine; Omics (including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and lipidomics); World database access; and Response and clinical outcomes. Hepion intends to use AI-POWR™ to help identify which NASH patients will best respond to rencofilstat, potentially shortening development timelines and increasing the observable differences between placebo and treatment groups. In addition to using AI-POWR™ to drive its ongoing NASH clinical development program, Hepion intends to use the platform to identify additional potential indications for rencofilstat to expand the company's footprint in the cyclophilin inhibition therapeutic space. Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimated,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Hepion Pharmaceuticals’ current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; our ability to continue as a going concern; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; risks associated with delays, increased costs and funding shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; uncertainties with respect to lengthy and expensive clinical trials, that results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; limited sales and marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. As with any drug candidates under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future clinical trials discussed in this press release will be completed or successful, or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. Hepion Pharmaceuticals does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in Hepion Pharmaceuticals’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For further information, please contact: