Nuon Therapeutics Announces Gout Program Study Results to Be Presented at the American College of Rheumatology

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nuon Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today that results from a clinical evaluation of its lead program in gout, NU1618, and pre-clinical data describing the mechanism of action for the tranilast component of NU1618, have been accepted for presentation at the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ACP/ARHP) Annual Scientific Meeting, to be held in Atlanta, GA, November 6-11.

2010 ACR/ARHP 2010 Abstracts on NU1618/Tranilast:

Abstract #587

The combination of tranilast with allopurinol results in enhanced urate lowering.

ACR Poster Session A; Session: Metabolic and Crystal Arthropathies – Therapeutics and Outcomes I: Monday, November 8, 2010

Abstract #1639

Tranilast inhibits urate transport mediated by URAT1 and GLUT9.

ACR Poster Session A; Session: Metabolic and Crystal Arthropathies – Therapeutics and Outcomes I: Monday, November 8, 2010

About NU1618

Nuon Therapeutics’ lead program, NU1618, is a proprietary combination of tranilast and allopurinol currently in phase 2b development for the treatment of hyperuricemia in patients with gout. Topline results from a completed proof-of-principle, phase 2a study, released in June, 2010, demonstrated that the combination produced greater reductions in serum uric acid (sUA) levels in patients with hyperuricemia than either agent. The proprietary combination of tranilast and allopurinol decreases uric acid in the body through two mechanisms: by increasing uric acid excretion by the kidneys (via the uricosuric action of tranilast) and by decreasing its production (through inhibition of the enzyme xanthine oxidase, the mechanism of allopurinol). Tranilast is also an anti-inflammatory, immune system modulator, which may allow the NU1618 program to address the chronic inflammatory component of gout in addition to lowering urate levels.

About Nuon Therapeutics, Inc.

Nuon Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage, biopharmaceutical company that is developing small molecule drugs to address critical, unmet medical needs in autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. The Company is privately held and headquartered in San Mateo, CA. For additional information, please visit: www.nuontherapeutics.com.