/EINPresswire.com/ -- HERMOSA BEACH, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/17/16 -- Kalytera Therapeutics, Inc., a pharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of proprietary cannabinoid and endocannabinoid-like medicines, has signed a preclinical research agreement with Ramot at Tel Aviv University ("Ramot") to evaluate three Kalytera drug candidates to assess their potential ability to strengthen bone in persons with osteogenesis imperfecta ("OI"), a rare group of genetic disorders characterized by bones that are brittle and break easily.

Osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease or Lobstein syndrome, affects how the body produces collagen, a protein that helps strengthen bones. OI is often lethal before birth, and in less severe forms, it may lead to progressive skeletal deformities that limit movement and increase bone fracture risk. OI affects 25,000 to 50,000 individuals in the U.S., according to National Institutes of Health estimates.

The collaboration will be led by Dr. Yankel Gabet, D.M.D., Ph.D., the Director of the Bone Research Laboratory at Tel Aviv University. In 2015 Dr. Gabet published a study showing that cannabidiol ("CBD") increased collagen crosslinking and stabilization in rat femurs, increasing the maximal load and work-to-failure, but not the stiffness. Building upon this research, Kalytera intends to conduct a series of preclinical studies with Dr. Gabet to evaluate the biomechanical properties of bones treated with CBD and Kalytera drug candidates.

"Bone strength depends not only on the quantity of bone tissue but also on the quality, which is characterized by multiple factors including the quality of the collagen matrix," said Dr. Gabet. "Our past animal studies suggest that CBD enhances the mechanical properties of bone tissue by promoting collagen maturation and cross-linking. Because defectuous collagen production is often seen in OI, we believe that CBD's proprietary synthetic derivatives may help persons with OI improve bone strength and reduce fracture risk."

"We are excited to expand our relationship with Ramot and Dr. Gabet to potentially develop OI treatments," said Seth Yakatan, CEO, Kalytera. "We look forward to further developing our compounds for the benefit of patients around the world."

"We are very pleased that Kalytera has chosen Ramot again as its partner. We are excited to expand our research collaboration with Kalytera to develop OI treatments that will benefit patients worldwide," said Dr. Adi Elkeles, VP Business Development, Life Sciences at Ramot.

About Ramot at Tel Aviv University
Ramot is Tel Aviv University's Business Engagement Center. Ramot fosters, initiates, leads, and manages the transfer of new technologies from university laboratories to the marketplace by performing all activities relating to the protection and commercialization of inventions and discoveries made by faculty, students, and other researchers. Ramot provides a dynamic interface connecting industry to leading-edge science and innovation, offering new business opportunities in a broad range of emerging markets. For more information, visit: www.ramot.org.

About Kalytera Therapeutics
Kalytera Therapeutics is developing a portfolio of non-psychoactive cannabinoid and endocannabinoid-like medicines intended to address the unmet needs of large patient populations. Kalytera seeks to commercialize its proprietary synthetic cannabinoid therapies across a range of disease states, with an initial focus on osteoporosis and bone healing.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements", including statements regarding the efficacy of potential products, the timelines for bringing such products to market, and the availability of funding sources for continued development of such products. Forward-looking statements are based on management's estimates, assumptions, and projections, and are subject to uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Kalytera. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause such differences include the risks that potential products that appear promising to Kalytera cannot be shown to be efficacious or safe in subsequent preclinical or clinical trials, Kalytera will not obtain appropriate or necessary governmental approvals to market these or other potential products, Kalytera may not be able to obtain anticipated funding for its development projects or other needed funding, and Kalytera may not be able to secure or enforce adequate legal protection, including patent protection, for its products. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and Kalytera does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which we hereafter become aware.

Ramot Contact
Maya Kotler
Marketing Manager
Phone: +972.3.640.5062
Email: maya.kotler@ramot.org

Company Contact
Victoria Rudman
Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: (888) 861-2008
Email: info@kalytera.co