Quantum Genomics Enrolls First Patient in Its Pivotal Phase III FRESH Trial of Firibastat in Difficult-to-treat and Resistant Hypertension


PARIS and NEW YORK, July 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quantum Genomics (Euronext Growth - FR0011648971 - ALQGC), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in developing a new drug class that directly targets the brain to treat difficult-to-treat and resistant hypertension and heart failure, today announced the enrollment of the first patient in the Company’s FRESH study (Firibastat in treatment-RESistant Hypertension) in difficult-to-treat(1) or resistant(2) hypertension. The study is being conducted jointly with its partner in Latin America, the Biolab Sanus Pharmaceutical laboratory.

“We are thrilled to enroll the first patient in our pivotal phase III study of firibastat in patients with difficult to treat and resistant hypertension,” said Jean-Philippe Milon, chief executive officer of Quantum Genomics. “We believe firibastat has the potential to meaningfully improve the treatment regimen for this large, and currently underserved population of patients and we look forward to top-line results by the end of 2021.”

The FRESH study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pivotal phase III study, which will be conducted in approximately 70 hospitals worldwide and enroll 502 patients with difficult-to-treat or resistant hypertension. Patients will receive either 500mg of firibastat or placebo twice daily for 3 months, in addition to their current treatment. The primary endpoint will be the reduction in systolic automated office blood pressure (AOBP) from baseline.

The study is being conducted in Europe (France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the Czech Republic), Canada, the United States, and Latin America (Brazil and Mexico), with the support of two contract research organizations: PRA Health Sciences in Europe, Canada, the U.S. and Azidus in Latin America.

The Company received all necessary ethical and regulatory approvals to conduct its trial in the majority of countries and has been able to open the first centers, while taking all necessary safety measures and precautions for trial participants and facility workers amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The FRESH Phase III trial design was based on results of the previously completed Phase II NEW HOPE study, which demonstrated the efficacy of firibastat in a hypertensive and high cardiovascular risk patient population, 38% of which was of African American descent, and the majority of which was obese: two patient populations that are frequently affected by resistant hypertension, and have disease states that are often in the difficult-to-treat category. The company received FDA’s concurrence on the trial design in late 2019.

(1) Patients not controlled despite two antihypertensive classes, including a diuretic, at maximum tolerated doses.
(2) Patients not controlled despite at least three antihypertensive classes, including a diuretic, at maximum tolerated doses.

About Quantum Genomics

Quantum Genomics is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of a new class of cardiovascular medications based on brain aminopeptidase A inhibition (BAPAI). Quantum Genomics is the only company in the world exploring this innovative approach that directly targets the brain. The company relies on 20 years of academic research from the Paris-Descartes University and the laboratory directed by Dr. Catherine Llorens-Cortes at the Collège de France (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM)/ the Scientific Centre for National Research (CNRS)). The goal of Quantum Genomics is to develop innovative treatments for complicated, or even resistant, cases of hypertension (around 30% of patients have poor control of their condition or receive ineffective treatment) and for heart failure (one in two patients diagnosed with severe heart failure dies within five years).

Based in Paris and New York, Quantum Genomics is listed on the Euronext Growth exchange in Paris (FR0011648971- ALQGC) and trades on the OTCQX Best Market in the United States (symbol: QNNTF)
For more information, please visit www.quantum-genomics.com, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

Contacts

Quantum Genomics 
Jean-Philippe Milon
CEO
jean-philippe.milon@quantum-genomics.com
Benoît Gueugnon
CFO
benoit.gueugnon@quantum-genomics.com
So Bang (Europe)  
Nathalie Boumendil
Financial Communications
+33 (0)6 85 82 41 95 | nathalie@so-bang.fr
Samuel Beaupain
Media Relations and Scientific Communications
+33 (0)6 88 48 48 02 | samuel@so-bang.fr
LifeSci (USA) 
Dan Ferry
Financial Communications
+1 (617) 430-7576 | Daniel@lifesciadvisors.com
Mike Tattory
Media Relations and Scientific Communications
+1 (609) 802-6265 | mtattory@lifescicomms.com