Tobira Therapeutics Receives Additional US Patent on Cenicriviroc

Provides Broad Protection for Dual-Action Chemokine Inhibitors

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tobira Therapeutics, Inc., developer of innovative antiretroviral therapies for HIV, today announced the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent 8,183,273, claiming compositions of matter of a broad family of compounds with activity against chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR2. The most advanced drug candidate in this family of compounds, Tobira’s cenicriviroc, is currently in Phase 2b clinical evaluation for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. This is the second composition of matter patent issued to Tobira in the United States, expanding coverage of Tobira’s portfolio of chemokine inhibitors.

“We commend the achievements of the inventors at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, who discovered these dual-targeting compounds.”

“We believe cenicriviroc’s dual inhibition of chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR2 will prove to be one of its most distinctive characteristics, demonstrating antiretroviral activity augmented by anti-inflammatory properties. The issuance of this new patent underscores the innovative chemistry behind cenicriviroc and the broader family of molecules of which it is a member,” said Andrew Hindman, Tobira’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We commend the achievements of the inventors at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, who discovered these dual-targeting compounds.”

Takeda has assigned these patents, and their global counterparts, to Tobira in exchange for milestones and royalties.

About Tobira Therapeutics

Tobira Therapeutics is a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for treatment of HIV infection. The company’s lead development candidate is cenicriviroc (CVC or TBR-652), a novel, oral, once-daily, fixed-dose combinable, dual inhibitor of chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR2 being evaluated for the treatment of HIV infection. Cenicriviroc has demonstrated potent antiretroviral activity and good tolerability in a Phase 2a trial¹. Tobira is currently conducting a randomized, double-blinded, double-dummy and controlled Phase 2b study of cenicriviroc in treatment-naive HIV-infected individuals with CCR5-tropic virus. Tobira plans to present twenty-four week dose response data from this clinical trial at a scientific meeting in the first quarter of 2013. Tobira has financial support from a syndicate of leading life science investors including Domain Associates, Frazier Healthcare Ventures, Montreux Equity Partners, Novo Ventures and Canaan Partners. Learn more at www.TobiraTherapeutics.com.

¹ Lalezari, J., et al, “Safety, Efficacy, and Pharmacokinetics of TBR-652, a CCR5/CCR2 Antagonist, in HIV-1–Infected, Treatment-Experienced, CCR5 Antagonist–Naive Subjects.” J Acqir Immune Defic Syndr. 2011 June; 57(2)