Zafgen and Chondrial Therapeutics Announce Definitive Merger Agreement

BOSTON and BALA CYNWYD, Pa., Dec. 18, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zafgen, Inc. (ZFGN) and Chondrial Therapeutics, Inc., today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Chondrial will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zafgen and the stockholders of Chondrial Therapeutics will become the majority owners of Zafgen’s outstanding common stock upon the close of the merger. The proposed merger will result in a combined publicly traded, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company operating under a new name, Larimar Therapeutics, Inc.

Creates clinical-stage company focused on the development of novel protein replacement therapies for rare diseases

Chondrial Therapeutics separately announced today that Phase 1 dosing in patients began this month and that CTI-1601 has received Rare Pediatric Disease (RPD) Designation and Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Topline results from the Phase 1 clinical program are expected by the end of 2020.

Chondrial Therapeutics Announces Dosing of First Patients in Phase 1 Clinical Program of CTI-1601 for Treatment of Friedreich’s AtaxiaCTI-1601 granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Fast Track Designation by U.S. FDA

BALA CYNWYD, Pa., Dec. 18, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chondrial Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for rare diseases, with an initial focus on Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), today announced that the first patients have been dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of single ascending doses of CTI-1601. CTI-1601 is a recombinant fusion protein intended to deliver human frataxin to patients with FA, who have decreased levels of frataxin.

Exicure : Announces First Neurological Development Program in Friedreich's Ataxia and Expands Scientific Advisory Board

12/17/2019, CHICAGO - Exicure, Inc. (NASDAQ: XCUR), the pioneer in gene regulatory and immunotherapeutic drugs utilizing spherical nucleic acid (SNA) technology, today announced Friedreich's ataxia (FA) as the therapeutic indication for the company's first neurology development program.
Exicure's FA program will be designed and developed with guidance from and in collaboration with FARA.