APT Therapeutics Inc. Enters Global Collaboration, Option and Asset Purchase Agreement to Study Human Apyrase Therapy

ST. LOUIS – (COMMERCIAL THREAD) – APT Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company, today announced a collaborative research, option and asset purchase agreement with AstraZeneca. APT Therapeutics applied proprietary protein engineering strategies to develop APT102, an innovative human apyrase therapy for the treatment of thrombotic diseases. Unique different from current FDA-approved antithrombotic drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding, APT102 reduced clot formation without causing bleeding in animal models of heart attack and stroke. APT102 has also been shown in animal models to reduce bleeding associated with current antithrombotic drugs. In addition, APT102 has demonstrated rapid onset of action in animal models, giving it the potential to address an unmet need in a prehospital setting where “time is heart and brain”.

Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will make an upfront cash payment to APT. APT will be eligible to receive future payments once certain key development milestones are achieved. AstraZeneca will fund all future clinical trials for heart attacks and / or strokes.

“AstraZeneca is a global leader in the development and commercialization of cardiovascular drugs with extensive expertise in antithrombotic therapy, making it an ideal partner to help us realize the therapeutic and commercial potential of APT102,” said Ridong Chen, Ph.D., President and CEO. from APT Therapeutics. “By combining their strengths with our own research and development expertise in human apyrase therapy, we have an excellent opportunity to develop a breakthrough drug that will safely and substantially improve the lives of millions of patients around the world.”

“We are constantly expanding our portfolio in the field of cardiovascular diseases with projects and technologies that demonstrate innovative mechanisms of action and are relevant to patients with unmet medical needs. The science behind APT102 provides a differentiated opportunity for cardio protection during the critical acute phase following a heart attack or stroke, ”said Marcus Schindler, Vice President, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Innovative Medicines and Early Development at AstraZeneca.

About APT Therapeutics, Inc.

APT Therapeutics is a private drug discovery company with core expertise in protein engineering. APT Therapeutics is developing human apyrases optimized as antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory therapy for acute myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary arterial hypertension and transplant complications. The commercial strategy consists of sub-licensing or co-developing drug candidates with pharmaceutical partners. The company is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (www.apt-therapeutics.com). Current investors are Prolog Ventures (www.prologventures.com) and BioGenerator (www.biogenerator.org).

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global science-led biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription drugs primarily for the treatment of diseases in three main therapeutic areas: oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and respiratory diseases. The Company is also selectively active in the areas of autoimmunity, neuroscience and infections. AstraZeneca operates in more than 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients around the world. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZeneca.