UMass, PolyMedix receive Phase 2 STTR contract to conduct test on antimicrobial compounds

PolyMedix, Inc. (OTCBB: PYMX), an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass), have received a Phase 2 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract in the amount of $750,000. This contract will allow PolyMedix to conduct further testing on antimicrobial compounds which PolyMedix identified under the initial Phase 1 contract. These compounds are being developed to specifically treat multi-drug resistant biofilm-embedded bacteria. This award represents the 15^th grant or research contract received to date by PolyMedix.

“We appreciate the continued interest of the U.S. Army Research Office, and granting us this contract which allows us to expand upon our research conducted under the Phase 1 portion that we received in August 2009”

This two-year contract is sponsored by the U.S. Army Research Office. Under this Phase 2 STTR contract, PolyMedix and UMass will conduct further research and analysis, including in vitro and proof of concept in vivo studies, to identify lead small molecule defensin-mimetic antimicrobial compounds active against bacterial pathogens associated with biofilm infections. PolyMedix expects to receive $524,000 under this contract.

"We appreciate the continued interest of the U.S. Army Research Office, and granting us this contract which allows us to expand upon our research conducted under the Phase 1 portion that we received in August 2009," commented Dr. Richard Scott, Vice President of Research at PolyMedix. "Biofilm infections can be serious and life-threatening. We believe that our small molecule defensin-mimetics, with their completely different mechanism of action that is intended to make bacterial resistance unlikely to develop, could be an important advance in addressing biofilm infections. We look forward to continuing to work with the U.S. Army to develop our compounds for military applications and to safeguard our all-important armed services."

There is a growing need to develop new drugs and therapies to combat biofilm infections. Biofilms form when certain microorganisms, such as bacteria, adhere to living or non-living surfaces and begin to reproduce. Biofilms can form on just about any material or surface including metals, plastics, prosthesis, medical implants such as knee and hip replacements, and human tissue. When a biofilm forms on an infection, treatment becomes very complicated as biofilms enable bacteria to survive making them more resistant to antibiotics.

PolyMedix's small molecule defensin-mimetic antimicrobial compounds are designed to mimic human host defense proteins, the body's natural defense against bacterial infections. Host defense proteins use a simple, but effective method for killing bacteria and other microbes by targeting the microbial membranes and disrupting them. This mechanism of action is intended to make it difficult for resistance to develop.

PolyMedix's lead small molecule defensin-mimetic antibiotic compound is PMX-30063. PolyMedix has recently initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial in Canada to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PMX-30063 in patients as a treatment for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI) caused by Staph bacteria. Results from two Phase 1 studies demonstrated that PMX-30063 could be safely administered in single or divided intravenous doses, at levels that exceeded theoretical efficacious levels predicted by animal models. In addition, PMX-30063 killed Staph bacteria, including MRSA, in human serum in blood samples drawn from subjects in the study.

This project is supported in part by the U.S. Army Research Office. The content of this press release does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Government, and no official endorsement should be inferred.