HOUSTON, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLRX), a clinical-stage oncology company targeting cancers caused by dysregulated gene expression, today announced the continued enhancement of the intellectual property (IP) portfolio governing its lead investigational drug candidate, seclidemstat. The European Patent Office (EPO) recently announced that the European Patent EP2744330, exclusively licensed to Salarius from the University of Utah Research Foundation, was issued on July 15, 2020. 

The European patent covers composition of matter and methods of use for seclidemstat, a potent reversible inhibitor of the LSD1 enzyme which is currently the subject of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for Ewing sarcoma, a rare pediatric bone cancer, and a Phase 1/2 trial in advanced solid tumors (AST). Salarius intends to validate this European patent in several important EU countries, ensuring protection of seclidemstat and other compounds in Europe through at least August 2032.

“This is an important advancement in our efforts to broaden our global patent estate for seclidemstat,” said David Arthur, President and Chief Executive Officer of Salarius. “To date, our intellectual property portfolio spans multiple patents and patent applications in the U.S., EU, and numerous additional countries.”

In all, Salarius holds 24 issued patents in the U.S. and abroad. The company’s current IP estate includes five patents issued in the U.S. and another 19 patents issued in Europe, Australia, Brazil, China, Eurasia, Israel, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa. Salarius also has nine patent applications pending approval in Brazil, Canada, Israel, India, Korea, Singapore and China. All 24 issued patents and the nine pending applications are directed to seclidemstat or structurally similar compounds.

About Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage oncology company targeting cancers caused by dysregulated gene expression, or epigenetic causes of cancers, and is developing treatments for patients that need them the most. Epigenetics refers to the regulatory system that affects gene expression. Salarius’ lead candidate, seclidemstat, is currently in clinical development for treating Ewing sarcoma, for which it has Fast Track Designation, Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Salarius is also developing seclidemstat for a number of cancers, with a second Phase 1/2 clinical study in advanced solid tumors, including prostate, breast and ovarian cancers.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “will,” “could,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “target,” “continue,” “to,” and similar terms or expressions or the negative thereof. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated benefits of our IP portfolio, our plans to continue to add to and strengthen our IP portfolio, and the development and potential of seclidemstat for treating Ewing sarcoma and/or advanced solid tumors. Salarius may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or objectives disclosed in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: the ability of Salarius to raise additional capital to meet its business operational needs and to achieve its business objectives and strategy; Salarius’ ability to project future capital needs and cash utilization; available sources of cash, including from CPRIT and its equity line; future clinical trial results; that the results of studies and clinical trials may not be predictive of future clinical trial results; the sufficiency of Salarius’ intellectual property protection; risks related to the drug development and the regulatory approval process; the competitive landscape and other industry-related risks; market conditions which may impact the ability of Salarius access capital under its equity line; the possibility of unexpected expenses or other uses of Salarius’ cash resources; and other risks described in Salarius’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those under the heading “Risk Factors.” The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Salarius disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Contact

Investor Relations

Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.

Maureen McEnroe, CFA/Miriam Miller

(212) 375-2664 / 2694

mmcenroe@tiberend.com

mmiller@tiberend.com

Media Relations

Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.

Johanna Bennett

(212) 375-2686

jbennett@tiberend.com  

Source: Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc.