from Biophytis (EPA:ALBPS)
Biophytis and AskHelpU Sign a Co-Development Agreement in Rare Neuromuscular Diseases in China
Press release
Biophy’s and AskHelpU Sign a Co-Development Agreement in Rare Neuromuscular Diseases in China
Paris, France, Cambridge (Massachuse5s, USA), 21 january 2025 – 7:00 AM – Biophy(s SA (Euronext Growth Paris: ALBPS), (“Biophy(s” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of treatments for age-related diseases, today announces the signing of a co-development agreement with AskHelpU, the largest pa(ent associa(on in China for those affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
This co-development agreement aims to evaluate the efficacy of BIO101, Biophy(s’ lead drug candidate, in ALS. If the preclinical results are promising and the proof of concept is established following the ini(al phase, the development will progress towards a larger-scale clinical phase. BIO101, which is currently in development for other indica(ons, including sarcopenia and obesity, could represent a major therapeu(c solu(on for pa(ents with this severe neuromuscular disease.
This en(rely synergis(c agreement will leverage Biophy(s’ exper(se with its drug candidate and AskHelpU’s knowledge in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease.
AskHelpU will rely on top chinese universiOes and research laboratories to conduct the experiments. This agreement between Biophy(s and AskHelpU marks a unique development opportunity for BiophyOs and its BIO101 drug candidate, demonstra(ng the wide poten(al of the molecule, including for the treatment of rare diseases.
§ ALS is a severe and progressive disease, leading to the gradual paralysis of muscles, speech, and swallowing func(ons. Despite recent advances in understanding the gene(cs and biology of ALS, no cura(ve treatment is yet available. Globally, the prevalence of ALS is between 4.1 and 8.4 pa(ents per 100,000 inhabitants[1]. The current number of pa(ents is es(mated at 6,000 in France[2], 31,000 in the United States[3], and around 200,000 in China[4], making it one of the largest markets for research and development of new treatments.
§ Since the founding of AskHelpU in 2019, founder Cai Lei, former JD.com Vice President has built the largest pa(ent-centered data pla_orm, connec(ng over 15,000 people across China with the aim of saving more than one million people affected by neurodegenera(ve diseases. Cai Lei is also the founder of the charitable pla_orm “Conquer ALS” and ini(ated the second “Ice Bucket Challenge” to raise awareness of the issues faced by ALS pa(ents. Since 2019, Cai Lei has personally invested over 30 million RMB in the fight against ALS and in suppor(ng pa(ents. In early 2024, Mr.Cai and his wife announced that they will donate another 100 million RMB to support to basic research.
A long-standing advocate in the fight against these pathologies, Biophy(s reaffirms its commitment through this partnership to delivering innova(ve and sustainable solu(ons for improving pa(ent care.
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About BIOPHYTIS
Biophy3s SA is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing drug candidates for agerelated diseases. BIO101 (20-hydroxyecdysone), our lead drug candidate, is a small molecule in development for muscular diseases (sarcopenia, Phase 3 ready to start, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Phase 1-2 to be started), respiratory diseases (COVID-19, Phase 2-3 completed), and metabolic disorders (obesity, Phase 2 to be started). The company is headquartered in Paris, France, with subsidiaries in Cambridge, MassachuseRs, USA, and Brazil. The Company’s ordinary shares are listed on Euronext Growth Paris (ALBPS - FR001400OLP5) and its ADS (American Depositary Shares) are listed on the OTC market (BPTSY - US 09076G401). For more informa3on, visit www.biophy3s.com.
About AskHelpU
Founded by Cai Lei, former vice president of JD.com and a major figure in the fight against ALS, AskHelpU is the largest ALS pa3ent associa3on in China. Since its crea3on, and driven by the vision of its founder, AskHelpU has transformed the percep3on of ALS in China, changing it from a rare and almost unknown disease into a na3onal concern. News and topics related to the associa3on have already garnered over 5 billion views. Over the past five years, the associa3on has built a pa3ent-centered research placorm, connec3ng more than 15,000 people and aiming to overcome ALS as well as other neurodegenera3ve diseases.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can iden3fy these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "poten3al," "con3nues,"
"may," "will," "should," "could," "seeks," "predicts," "intends," "trends," "plans," "es3mates," "an3cipates" or the nega3ve version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are based on assump3ons that Biophy3s considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the statements contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which are subject to various risks and uncertain3es. The forward- looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Biophy3s or not currently considered material by Biophy3s. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Please also refer to the "Risk and uncertain3es the Company is to face» sec3on from the Company’s 2023 Financial Report available on BIOPHYTIS website (www.biophy3s.com) and as exposed in the "Risk Factors" sec3on of form 20-F as well as other forms filed with the SEC (Securi3es and Exchange Commission, USA). We undertake no obliga3on to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new informa3on, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contacts Biophy6s
Investor rela,ons
Investors@biophy,s.com
Media
Antoine Denry : antoine.denry@taddeo.fr – +33 6 18 07 83 27
Inès de Mandiargues : ines.demandiargues@taddeo.fr - +33 6 16 16 51 78
Contact AskHelpU
AskHelpU : alsresearch.china@gmail.com