NPS Pharmaceuticals Announces New Calcilytics Agreement with GSK

--NPS receives two compounds for potential development in autosomal dominant hypocalcemia with hypercalciuria (ADHH); GSK expands ronacaleret field of research to pursue stem cell transplants --

BEDMINSTER, N.J.--()--NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: NPSP), a specialty pharmaceutical company developing orphan therapeutics for rare gastrointestinal and endocrine disorders, today reported that it has entered into a new agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), that terminates and replaces a prior collaborative research and license agreement between NPS and GSK from 1993, which focused on the discovery and development of small molecule antagonists of the calcium receptor that increase secretion of parathyroid hormone (calcilytics).

As part of the new agreement, GSK will assign to NPS the investigational new drug filings for two calcilytic compounds, SB-423557 and SB-423562 (NPSP790 and NPSP795). Both compounds have been evaluated in preclinical animal studies and Phase 1 human studies. NPS believes calcilytics may have clinical application in treating rare disorders involving increased calcium receptor activity, such as autosomal dominant hypocalcemia with hypercalciuria (ADHH).

The new agreement expands the licensed field of research for ronacaleret, which was discovered under the 1993 agreement and studied as a treatment for osteoporosis in post-menopausal women, to allow GSK to pursue stem cell transplants, in addition to osteoporosis and other bone disorders. GSK will be responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization of ronacaleret. NPS will be entitled to development milestones and royalties on any future sales of ronacaleret. GSK will no longer have rights to other calcilytic compounds discovered or developed under the 1993 agreement.

“We are pleased that GSK has decided to evaluate ronacaleret in new indications,” said Francois Nader, MD, president and chief executive officer of NPS Pharmaceuticals. “We are particularly excited about the prospects of assessing the potential of NPSP790 and NPSP795 in ADHH. This deal aligns with our commitment to develop orphan therapeutics in areas of high unmet medical need and is complementary to our late-stage pipeline, which already includes a Phase 3 compound in development for the rare endocrine disorder hypoparathyroidism.”

About ADHH

ADHH is a rare endocrine disorder caused by a gain-of-function mutation in the calcium-sensing receptor gene. The enhanced calcium sensitivity of the receptor to extracellular calcium results in decreased parathyroid secretion, which leads to chronically low blood levels of calcium or hypocalcemia, and in the kidneys, there is a high urinary calcium excretion (hypercalciuria) despite hypocalcemia. Calcium plays a central role in the activity of many physiological systems, including the health and function of the skeletal, muscular, nervous, urinary, and cardiovascular systems. Raising the patient’s serum calcium concentrations with supplementation of calcium and active metabolites of vitamin D does not treat the underlying physiological defect and can worsen hypercalciuria. Chronic hypercalciuria carries the risks of nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, and renal impairment. There is currently no approved treatment for ADHH.

About Calcilytics

Calcilytics are small molecule antagonists of the calcium receptor. Initially developed to stimulate parathyroid hormone secretion and bone formation for the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone metabolism disorders, they have been shown to increase serum calcium and decrease urinary calcium excretion in a Phase 2 study of patients with osteoporosis. Calcilytics could be a novel treatment for disorders involving increased calcium receptor activity.

About NPS Pharmaceuticals

NPS Pharmaceuticals is an outsourcing-based development company focused on bringing biopharmaceuticals to patients with rare disorders and few, if any, therapeutic options. The company is advancing two Phase 3 registration programs, GATTEX® (teduglutide) in short bowel syndrome (SBS) and NPSP558 (parathyroid hormone 1-84 [rDNA origin] injection) in hypoparathyroidism. NPS complements its proprietary programs with a royalty-based portfolio of products and product candidates that includes agreements with Amgen, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Nycomed, and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical.

“NPS”, “NPS Pharmaceuticals”, and “GATTEX” are the company’s registered trademarks. All other trademarks, trade names or service marks appearing in this press release are the property of their respective owners.

Statements made in this press release, which are not historical in nature, constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the company's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks associated to the company’s business include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with any failure by the company to successfully complete its preclinical and clinical studies within the projected time frames or not at all, the risk of not gaining marketing approvals for GATTEX and NPSP558, the risks associated with the company’s strategy, as well as other risk factors described in the company’s periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs. All information in this press release is as of the date of this release and NPS undertakes no duty to update this information.

Contacts

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Susan M. Mesco, 908-450-5516
smesco@npsp.com

Contacts

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Susan M. Mesco, 908-450-5516
smesco@npsp.com