SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
-------------------------------
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
-----------------------------
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) December 10, 2001
ALTEON INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware 001-16043 13-3304550
------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or Other Juris- (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
diction of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
170 Williams Drive, Ramsey, New Jersey 07446
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (201) 934-5000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(Former Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)
Item 5. Other Events
On December 10, 2001 Alteon Inc. issued the following press release:
ALTEON ANNOUNCES ISSUANCE OF KEY PATENT COVERING GLUCOSE LOWERING AGENTS,
ADDITIONAL PATENT COVERING A.G.E CROSSLINK BREAKERS
RAMSEY, NEW JERSEY, DECEMBER 10, 2001 - Alteon Inc. (AMEX: ALT) announced
today that it has been granted a key patent on a new class of orally
available glucose lowering agents (GLA). These compounds significantly
lower blood glucose levels and free fatty acids in preclinical models of
Type II diabetes. U.S. Patent # 6,326,396 "Glucose and Lipid Lowering
Compounds," brings Alteon's total number of U.S. patents to 100.
Alteon's GLA series is comprised of a lead compound and several analogs.
This novel class of drugs has similar therapeutic benefits to glitazone
compounds, a class of compounds that has been the focus of other
pharmaceutical companies because of its beneficial effect on glucose,
insulin and triglycerides, yet it does not exhibit the toxicities that have
been associated with them. Additionally, the GLA class of agents is
chemically distinct from the glitazone compounds and has a different
mechanism of action. GLA compounds are under preclinical evaluation at
Alteon.
Another recently issued patent, U.S. Patent # 6,319,934, "Reversing
Advanced Glycosylation Crosslinks Using Heterocyclic-Substituted Thiazolium
Compounds" expands Alteon's proprietary position in A.G.E. crosslink
breaking. A.G.E. Crosslink Breakers offer the possibility of the first
therapeutic approach to reverse cardiovascular disease and other
age-related disorders by cleaving Advanced Glycosylation End-product
(A.G.E.) crosslinks between proteins, thereby restoring flexibility and
elasticity to stiffened tissues. Alteon's lead A.G.E. Crosslink Breaker,
ALT-711, is in two Phase IIb clinical trials to reverse the stiffening of
the arteries that contributes to systolic hypertension. This treatment
approach is different from any currently prescribed drug for high blood
pressure, or any other in clinical development.
"These patents are an important step for Alteon as we expand our product
pipeline with novel compounds that impact all segments of the A.G.E.
Pathway," said Kenneth I. Moch, President and Chief Executive Officer.
About Alteon
Alteon is developing several new classes of drugs that reverse or slow down
diseases of aging and complications of diabetes. These compounds impact a
fundamental pathological process caused by protein-glucose complexes called
Advanced Glycosylation End-products (A.G.E.s). The formation and
crosslinking of A.G.E.s are an inevitable part of the aging process that
lead to a loss of flexibility and function in body tissues, organs and
vessels. The company is initially developing therapies for cardiovascular
and kidney diseases in older or diabetic individuals.
Alteon has created a library of novel classes of compounds targeting the
A.G.E. Pathway. These include A.G.E. Crosslink Breakers, A.G.E. Formation
Inhibitors and Glucose Lowering Agents. The Company's lead A.G.E.
Crosslink Breaker ALT-711 is being evaluated in the Phase IIb SAPPHIRE
clinical trial focused on systolic hypertension, and the Phase IIb SILVER
trial in systolic hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy. The
compound is also under Phase I investigation in end-stage renal disease
patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, a patient population that has
significant cardiovascular disease. Other A.G.E. compounds are being
evaluated for skin aging, as well as additional human indications and
animal health. For more information on Alteon, visit the company's web site
at www.alteonpharma.com.
# # #
Any statements contained in this press release that relate to future plans,
events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties including, but not limited to, those relating to technology
and product development (including the possibility that early clinical
trial results may not be predictive of results that will be obtained in
large-scale testing or that any clinical trials will not demonstrate
sufficient safety and efficacy to obtain requisite approvals or will not
result in marketable products), regulatory approval processes, intellectual
property rights and litigation, competitive products, ability to obtain
financing, and other risks identified in Alteon's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The information contained in this press
release is accurate as of the date indicated. Actual results, events or
performance may differ materially. Alteon undertakes no obligation to
publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking
statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the
date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
*******
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Alteon Inc.
By: /s/ Kenneth I. Moch
-------------------------------------
Kenneth I. Moch
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: December 14, 2001