FORGELife Science Changes Name to Evrys Bio to Reflect Broader Vision for Next-Gen Antiviral Platform
Company Achieves Key Milestone in Platform Validation and Prepares for Next Phase of Growth
Doylestown, PA -May 29, 2019 – FORGE Life Science, a leader in the discovery and development of broad spectrum, sirtuin-targeted antivirals, announced today that it is changing its name to Evrys (pronounced: ev-ris) Bio. The new name follows key milestones validating the company’s approach to drug discovery and reflects a broader vision for innovation across a variety of critical disease areas with unmet needs.
The company’s furthest advanced host-targeted antiviral will provide greater protection against a broad range of viral infections that are a problem for transplant patients, whose immune systems are in a weakened state due to active immunosuppression, preventing rejection of the graft organ. By modulating the activity of human sirtuin-2 protein, Evrys Bio has achieved effectiveness in cell culture against both DNA viruses like cytomegalovirus and RNA viruses like influenza A. The key new milestone is the demonstration of antiviral activity in an animal model of cytomegalovirus infection. The Evrys Bio lead is equivalent or better than current standard-of-care antivirals to inhibit cytomegalovirus replication. Not provided by standard-of-care antivirals, the effectiveness of the Evrys Bio lead extends to multiple viruses beyond cytomegalovirus and also provides a high barrier to the development of drug resistance.
“The proof of principle achieved in an animal model of infection is key validation of the utility and safety in targeting a host protein to achieve an antiviral outcome,” said Lillian Chiang, Ph.D., President and CEO of Evrys Bio. “Our first product entering into preclinical development this year will be directed to treating the many viral infections threatening the lives and integrity of the graft organ of transplant patients. We intend to follow with distinct products to address respiratory infections, viral hepatitis, and viral encephalitis. That is why we changed our name to Evrys –Not Just One Virus –Every Virus.”
ABOUT EVRYS BIO
Evrys Bio was founded on breakthrough discoveries made at Princeton University. Whereas immuno-oncology drugs engage the patient’s immune system to fight cancer, Evrys Bio antivirals engage the cell’s intrinsic immunity to defend against infection. Evrys Bio’s vision is to develop first-in-class antivirals that are safe, address the problem of acquired drug-resistance, and provide unique broad-spectrum treatment options. This will transform the practice of medicine because Evrys Bio products will address the infectious disease condition holistically as opposed to targeting a specific virus-type. Learn more at www.evrysbio.com.
