Ceva and Zoion Pharma Announce Collaboration to Develop Epithelial Sodium Channel Blockers to Treat Veterinary Ocular Surface Diseases

LIBOURNE, France and DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ceva Santé Animale and Zoion Pharma Inc. announced today that they have entered into a collaboration to develop an epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) inhibitor to treat veterinary ocular surface diseases characterized by a lack of surface hydration, such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) commonly called dry eye.  Under the agreement, Ceva gains worldwide development and commercial rights to ZP-1 (P-1046).  ZP-1 has successfully completed a proof-of-concept clinical trial in canine KCS.  ZP-1 (P-1046) was originally discovered by Parion Sciences, Inc. and licensed to Zoion Pharma for veterinary use.

"KCS is a disease that causes much pain and discomfort, particularly in dogs.  If left untreated, severe cases may lead to blindness," said Jon Alšėnas DVM, President and CEO of Zoion Pharma.  "Ceva is the ideal partner to bring this potentially very exciting new therapy to companion animals and their owners around the world."

Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

About Ceva Santé Animale:

Ceva Santé Animale was founded in 1999 and is a global veterinary health company, focused on research, development, production and marketing of pharmaceutical products and vaccines for companion animals, livestock, swine and poultry. Its headquarters are in Libourne, France.

About Zoion Pharma:

Zoion Pharma is dedicated to the goal of identifying, sourcing and developing novel or overlooked drugs specifically for use in the treatment of companion animal diseases of high unmet medical need.

About Parion Sciences:

Parion  Sciences  is  a  development  stage  biopharmaceutical  company dedicated  to  research, development  and  commercialization  of  treatments  to  improve  and  extend  the  lives  of  patients with  innate  mucosal  surface  defense  deficiencies  of  the lung  or eye.  Parion has a diverse pipeline of pre-clinical and clinical candidates for the treatment of these diseases via distinctive mechanisms of action and approaches.  Parion  is  at  the  forefront  of  ENaC  development  and leverages its scientific  expertise  in  epithelial  biology  to  expand the  company's platforms  and novel  chemical  compounds  into  new potential indications  to  treat  mucosal  defects.

CONTACT:

Jon Alsenas
[email protected]