Pherin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), is a privately held, virtually organized specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Los Altos, California, USA, focused on developing treatments with rapid onset of action for neuropsychiatric and neuroendocrine conditions.
Founded in 1991 and restructured in 2002, Pherin Pharmaceuticals is a start-up built upon the "virtual company system" model. Led by a highly experienced senior management team, Pherin Pharmaceuticals has assembled a global network of external experts to successfully bring its products trough all aspects of developments
Pherines Represent a New Class of Pharmaceutical Compounds
We are focused on maintaining our world leadership in the discovery and development of a new family of pharmaceutical compounds called pherines. These compounds are delivered to the nasal passages and in turn affect the hypothalamus and the limbic system. Our discovery of the effect of pherines and their link to the hypothalamus and limbic areas has enabled us to develop therapeutic drugs targeted against a variety of medical conditions associated with these brain regions. These medical conditions are related to anxiety and mood disorders including social phobia, depression, menopausal hot flashes, social anxiety disorder, cognitive function and body weight management. We believe that this technology represents a substantial achievement as it unlocks large markets with products expected to offer numerous therapeutic advantages and convenient use to the patients.
Numerous Therapeutic Advantages
Pherine compounds are directly delivered to the nasal passages using a metered nasal spray. By virtue of the direct connections to the hypothalamus and limbic system and the ability of our compounds to act locally, pherines do not need to achieve systemic absorption and distribution. This provides a significant therapeutic advantage over traditional therapeutics targeted at the hypothalamus and limbic system that require access to systemic circulation and must cross the blood-brain barrier followed by uptake into the brain to exert effects. We believe the unique mechanism of action and method of delivery of pherines results in numerous therapeutic advantages, including:
- rapid onset of action
- on-demand delivery
- low dosages
- excellent safety and tolerability profile
We believe these therapeutic advantages will result in pherines becoming an important new class of therapeutic compounds.
Large Market Opportunities
The market for drugs that target the hypothalamus and limbic system is large and diverse. Among our lead compounds that have completed or are in the final stages of Phase 2B clinical trials are: PH80-PMD, indicated for premenstrual dysphoric disorder and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which affects 70% of women in reproductive age (12 to 45 years of age), of which 40% seek medical treatment and addresses a market estimated to be over $2.0 billion annually; PH80-HF for the acute management of hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, which affect about 75% of menopausal women and addresses a market estimated to be 3 billion annually; and PH94B for the treatment of Social Phobia which is placed third among psychiatric disorders behind substance abuse and depression and addresses a market estimated to be $5.5 billion annually.
We have a number of additional compounds in development that are targeted at large market opportunities such as menopausal hot flashes, body weight management (appetite disorders), and cognitive enhancement, which await additional financial resources to advance their development.
Strong Product Pipeline
We have a diverse product portfolio that we believe increases the probability of our commercial success. Currently we have drug candidates that are in Phase 2 clinical trials for PMS, Depression, Social Phobia, and Appetite Stimulation that are in Phase 2 clinical trials. In addition, we have a strong pipeline of Pherine compounds that await research screening and selection. Our pipeline of products addresses the following indications:
- Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dystrophic Disorder
- Social Phobia
- Hot Flashes
- Depression
- Body Weight Management (Appetite Enhancement)
- Cognitive Enhancement
- Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
Strategic Partnerships
Pherin business development efforts are focused on collaborative relationships with forward-looking and technically advanced companies. Details on Pherin’s partnership opportunities are available from our Executive Vice-President lmonti@pherin.com.
Strong Patent Position
Our patent portfolio covers the composition; method of use and delivery systems of Pherine compounds and includes patents and patent applications that cover over 1,000 Pherines. We have 26 issued U.S. patents and 76 issued foreign patents. Additionally, we have 4 patents pending in the United States and 20 pending international patents.
Company Organization
Pherin Pharmaceuticals is presently operating as a virtually organized company under the leadership of a small management team with significant experience in the life sciences industry. Our management team has access to a number of experts in the fields of pharmaceutical research and development, drug discovery, regulatory affairs, and sales and marketing. We also have a diversified scientific advisory board comprised of world-renowned scientists.
Management and Directors
Louis Monti, M.D., Ph.D. has served as our Vice-President of Research since our founding. At present he is Executive Vice-President and Secretary of Pherin. Prior to joining Pherin, Dr. Monti held various professorial positions at the University of Utah and the University of Uruguay. Dr. Monti holds an M.D. degree from the University of Uruguay, School of Medicine and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Utah. He has published over 100 scientific papers and holds 7 patents.
Julian N. Stern has served as our Director since our founding and is Chairman of the Board. Mr. Stern is also a director of DepoMed, Inc., Fibrogen, Inc. and ROXRO Pharma, Inc. and corporate secretary of several other public and private biotechnology companies. He was the incorporator of ALZA Corporation and Cetus Corporation and served as corporate secretary and a director of those companies from their inception until their merger, respectively, into Johnson and Johnson and Chiron Corporation. Mr. Stern has been and continues to be active in a number of charitable organizations including currently acting as President of the Ronald and Ann Williams Charitable Foundation, as a trustee of the Peter and Vernice Gasser Foundation and as an honorary lifetime trustee and past chairman of the American Cancer Society, California Division.
Kevin P. McCarthy has served as our Director since our founding. At present he is Vice-Chairman of Pherin. He formerly served the Company as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Pherin, Mr. McCarthy was Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Erox Corporation and a Managing Director of Berliner Associates.
Donald S. Robinson, M.D. has served as our Director since 1994. Dr. Robinson is a pharmaceutical industry consultant. Prior to beginning his private consulting business, he was Vice President, Central Nervous System Research, at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. In this capacity, he managed nine investigational drug development programs resulting in three major products. Prior to his employment at Bristol-Myers, he was a Professor of Pharmacology, Psychiatry and Medicine at Marshall University School of Medicine.
Toby Rosenblatt has served as our Director since 1992. Mr. Rosenblatt is President of Founders Investments Ltd., which is involved in private investment activities. He also serves as a director of AP Pharma, Inc., The State Street Research Mutual Funds and Met Life Mutual Funds.
Roberto Rosenkranz, Ph.D. has served as our Director since May 2000. Dr. Rosenkranz has 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector and is currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Roxro Pharma Inc., an early-stage pharmaceutical development company. Dr. Rosenkranz had a dual career at Syntex Corporation in science and business, holding positions in pharmacology, new product development, sales, marketing and business development. He was Director of Business Operations for Roche Laboratories, and he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Scios Inc. Dr. Rosenkranz holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology has extensive experience in academic research and has held a number of special scientific and business appointments. He has published over 70 scientific papers and holds six patents.
Jacobo Zaidenweber, M.D. has been President of our Mexico subsidiary, Pherin Farmaceutica, S.A. and has served as our Director since May 2000. Dr. Zaidenweber is President of American Textiles Corporation. He has served as the Coordinator for the Private Sector for the North American Free Trade Agreement in the Section of Textiles and Tariffs. He is also the former President of the Coordinating Committee of the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Dr Zaidenweber earned his medical degree from the University of Mexico, School of Medicine. |
