Accolade to Focus on Allergic Eye Disorders
In an effort to focus the development of topical zafirlukast, the company has decided to concentrate resources on the application fro allergic eye disorders. The decision was based on the preclinical experiments in animal models of conjunctivitis as well as the compelling clinical results assessing oral use of LTRAs by major companies which indicate significant room for improved efficacy with a topical formulation for the eye.
Accolade Pharmaceuticals Appoints James P. Kemp, MD, Chief Medical Officer
WILMINGTON, Del.—Accolade Pharmaceuticals is proud to announce today the appointment of Dr. James P. Kemp, as Chief Medical Officer. He will be the newest member of the Accolade management team, which includes six members with extensive backgrounds in the biopharmaceutical field. Dr. Kemp’s research and experience with allergic diseases will be key in furthering the development of Accolade’s current and future product endeavors in treating allergic disorders.
As a clinical professor in the Division of Immunology and Allergy at the University of California in San Diego, Dr. Kemp has both led and participated in extensive immunological research including research on the use of the leukotriene receptor antagonists (LRTAs). “We are pleased to have Jim join us and confident that his clinical experience will serve Accolade well in our effort to expand development of our topical program for zafirlukast,” says Accolade’s Co-Founder and Chairman, Mitchell Glass, MD.
After earning his medical degree at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Dr. Kemp completed his internship in pediatrics at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., followed by a residency at Emory University, Grady Memorial Hospital, in Atlanta. He also completed both his fellowship and residency in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at the University of California at San Francisco. Dr. Kemp is currently a practicing allergist and immunologist in San Diego.
About Accolade Pharmaceuticals LLC
Accolade is a private, specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the development of known drug products for the treatment of allergic diseases. Founded in 2012, Accolade is quickly advancing a pipeline of products for treating multitude allergic conditions, including allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and skin disorders.
Accolade Pharmaceuticals Signs License Agreement for Inhaled Zafirlukast
WILMINGTON, Del.— Accolade Pharmaceuticals LLC announced today the signing of a global licensing agreement with Australian life sciences company, Invion Limited, for the development and commercialization of inhaled formulations for the asthma treatment drug, zafirlukast. This exclusive license grants Invion rights to apply the drug in creating inhaled treatments for asthma as well as other respiratory conditions. As a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA), also known as an anti-leukotriene, zafirlukast works to reduce inflammation, airway constriction, and mucus buildup in the lungs by blocking the action of leukotrienes; chemicals that are part of the immune system’s inflammatory response.
Currently marketed as Accolate® by AstraZeneca in the United States, zafirlukast is solely available in oral formulation and is indicated for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma “We are excited to partner our inhaled program with Invion. This is a very seasoned management team with a strong track-record of drug development.” says John Mohr, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Accolade Pharmaceuticals.
“The development of inhaled zafirlukast will utilize existing knowledge, skills and competencies in the Invion clinical team, while strengthening Invion’s development pipeline and asset commercialization opportunities,” said Invion Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Greg Collier in a press release made available on their company website. INV104, as the product is to be known, will be one of three Invion products that are currently in phase II clinical trials in the United States.
Accolade Pharmaceuticals Launches Specialty Company to Repurpose
Approved Drugs for Allergic Disease
WILMINGTON, Del.—Six former drug industry executives have announced today the formation of Accolade Pharmaceuticals LLC, a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a range of products for the treatment of allergic disorders. The Company will focus its initial development activities on repurposing a FDA approved drug for asthma for broader clinical use in treating allergic related conditions.
Accolade’s lead drug candidate is zafirlukast, a Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA), also known as a leukotriene inhibitor, which blocks the action of leukotriene receptors- part of the body’s inflammatory response system in order to reduce inflammation, the constriction of airways, and the buildup of mucus in the lungs. Zafirlukast, marketed as Accolate® by AstraZeneca, is currently available solely in oral form and is only used as a preventative measure for the treatment of asthma attacks. Accolade is actively pursuing development on several topical formulations of the drug, including a topical inhaled formulation for the treatment of asthma as well as other topical formulations for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and inflammatory eye and skin disorders.
“Allergic diseases are a big medical issue and about 30% of people worldwide suffer from some form of allergic symptoms. While advances in diagnosis and treatment have been substantial, there remain significant unmet needs that can be addressed with well-known and safe drugs such as zafirlukast through improvement of drug delivery. We are delighted to launch our Company with the mission of providing new treatment options for patients,” says John Mohr, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Accolade Pharmaceuticals LLC.
Inhaled zafirlukast will be the first product to enter Accolade’s pipeline and is currently in its pre-clinical stage. It is anticipated to enter Phase I/II FDA clinical trials within the year.