La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Dec. 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rhizen Pharmaceuticals S.A., today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan-drug designation for the active moiety of Tenalisib (RP6530), the Company’s highly selective and orally active dual PI3K delta/gamma inhibitor, for treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).

“We are pleased to receive US FDA orphan-drug designation for the active moiety of Tenalisib (RP6530), our Company’s highly selective and orally active dual PI3K delta/gamma inhibitor, and we look forward to advancing the drug into further development for treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL),” said Swaroop Vakkalanka, Ph.D., Founder & President of Rhizen Pharmaceuticals S.A.

About FDA Orphan-Drug Designation:

Orphan-Drug Designation is granted to a drug or biological product intended to treat a rare disease in the United States.  A number of incentives are provided for an orphan-drug such as 7-year marketing exclusivity, tax credits for clinical development costs, exemption/waiver of application (filing) fees and assistance from the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) during the development process.

About Tenalisib (RP6530):

Tenalisib (RP6530) is a highly selective and orally active dual PI3K delta/gamma inhibitor with efficient translation of activity through enzyme, cell, and whole blood-based studies.  Besides inhibiting growth of immortalized cancerous cell lines and primary patient leukemic/lymphoma cells, RP6530 plays a significant role in modulation of tumor microenvironment at clinically achievable concentrations.  In preclinical studies, RP6530 reprograms macrophages from an immunosuppressive M2-like phenotype (pro-tumor) to an inflammatory M1-like state (anti-tumor), which can potentially enhance the activity of checkpoint inhibitors or overcome resistance to these drugs.  Tenalisib obtained US FDA Fast Track and Orphan-Drug Designations for treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).  

About Rhizen Pharmaceuticals S.A.:

Rhizen Pharmaceuticals is an innovative, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, immune and metabolic disorders.  Since its establishment in 2008, Rhizen has created a diverse pipeline of proprietary drug candidates targeting several cancers and immune associated cellular pathways.  Rhizen is headquartered in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.  For additional information, please visit Rhizen’s website, www.rhizen.com.

Contact:	
Kumar V. Penmetsa, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development
Rhizen Pharmaceuticals S.A.
Telephone:  +1-267-207-5707
Email:  kvp@rhizen.com

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