Sensorion Obtains a Positive Opinion on Granting of Orphan Medicinal Product Designation for SENS-401 in Europe

Regulatory News:

Sensorion (Paris:ALSEN) (FR0012596468 – ALSEN), a biotech company specializing in the treatment of inner ear diseases, today announces that it has received, from the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), a positive opinion on the granting of Orphan Medicinal Product Designation for SENS-401, its drug candidate in development for the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a brutal affliction involving a hearing loss of more than 30dB, usually unilateral and occurring rapidly over just a few days. It is perceptive deafness following the deterioration or destruction of neurons and certain hair cells in the inner ear. As these cells do not spontaneously regenerate, their lesions lead to irreversible hearing impairments. There is currently no efficient drug available for treating acute hearing loss resulting from lesions of the inner ear.

SENS-401 administered orally has been shown to have a protective effect on hearing in a model of noise-induced hearing loss that has been established as a benchmark test in studying sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

SENS-401 has received a positive opinion from the EMA’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products for the granting of Orphan Drug Designation in this indication. The definitive granting of this designation is now the responsibility of the European Commission. Sensorion expects to receive definitive notification in a few weeks, in line with usual procedures. This designation provides drugs and biologics intended to treat rare diseases and disorders with a special status. Notably it provides for 10-year marketing exclusivity period once European marketing approval is obtained, as well as certain incentives such as subsidies and tax credits, protocol assistance and possible exemptions or reductions in regulatory fees during the product’s development or registration.

Laurent Nguyen, CEO of Sensorion, concludes: "This positive opinion issued by the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products for SENS-401 underscores the interest shown by the scientific community in the issue of acute hearing loss resulting from lesions of the inner ear such as those induced by acoustic trauma. This new molecule, recently identified using our screening platform, can potentially address a critical unmet need where there is currently no medical solution. We look forward to providing more details on the clinical development plan for SENS-401 in patients suffering from sudden sensorineural hearing loss as on-going talks with regulatory authorities get completed.”

???

About SENS-401

SENS-401, R-azasetron besylate, is a drug candidate that aims to protect and preserve inner ear tissue when lesions are present that can cause progressive or sequelar hearing impediments. It is one of the two enantiomer forms of SENS-218, azasetron, a racemic molecule belonging to the family of setrons marketed in Asia under the name Serotone. Enantiomers are products that have an identical chemical structure but a different configuration in space, i.e. they are mirror images of each other like a person’s left and right hands. The pharmacological and pharmacokinetic tests undertaken have shown a superior drug candidate profile for SENS-401 compared with the other enantiomer or the racemic form. SENS-401 is a small molecule that can be taken orally or via an injection.

About Sensorion

Sensorion specializes in the treatment of pathologies of the inner ear such as acute vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. The company was founded by Inserm (the French Institute of Health and Medical Research) and is utilizing its pharmaceutical R&D experience and comprehensive technology platform to develop first-in-class easy-to-administer, notably orally active, drug candidate programs for treating hearing loss and the symptoms of vertigo and tinnitus, for preventing and treating complications associated with progressive lesions in the inner ear, and for preventing the toxicity of chemotherapy in the inner ear. Based in Montpellier, southern France, Sensorion received financial support from Bpifrance, through the InnoBio fund, and Inserm Transfert Initiative.

Sensorion is listed on Alternext Paris since April 2015. www.sensorion-pharma.com

Name: SENSORION
ISIN code: FR0012596468
Ticker: ALSEN

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Sensorion and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Sensorion considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will be verified, which statements are subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in the Document de référence registration document filed with the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF- French Financial Market Authority) on July 28, 2016 under n°R.16-069 and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Sensorion operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Sensorion or not currently considered material by Sensorion. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Sensorion to be materially different from such forward-looking statements.

This press release and the information that it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, Sensorion shares in any country. The communication of this press release in certain countries may constitute a violation of local laws and regulations. Any recipient of this press release must inform oneself of any such local restrictions and comply therewith.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161017006310/en/