CytoTools signs collaboration agreement to develop inhalation therapy for viral infections such as COVID-19 and influenza

- Cooperation with medical technology specialists for inhalative applications
- Regulatory approval with early out-licensing targeted
- Completion of further development steps planned by end of third quarter

Darmstadt, 26 April 2021 - CytoTools AG (ISIN DE000A0KFRJ1), a biotechnology holding company specializing in pharmaceutical and medical products, will cooperate with the MedTech specialist Activoris Medizintechnik GmbH from Gemünden, Germany, in the development of its novel therapeutic approach for viral infections such as COVID-19 and influenza. Following completion of the project planning, both companies have signed a partnership agreement to this effect.

The aim of the cooperation is to introduce the virtually side-effect-free active ingredient DPOCL, which has been shown to be extremely effective in other indications, directly into the lungs in an inhaled therapy approach. The project is to be rapidly brought to a licensable stage as part of the collaboration. The steps that will now follow include first performing an aerosol characterization to determine the optimal inhalation device and the appropriate therapy parameters. Immediately thereafter, the effect of inhalation administration of DPOCL as an aerosol within the organism will be investigated in further toxicological studies.

"These results form the basis for being able to investigate the effectiveness of the therapy within the framework of a first patient study. At the same time, they also already represent the fundamentally relevant data for potentially interested licensees of the therapy," explains Dr. Dirk Kaiser, Chief Research & Development Officer at CytoTools. "Based on current planning, we expect to successfully complete this part of the development work by the end of the third quarter."

In addition to its technical expertise, the management of Activoris is also contributing its network to the cooperation, in which comparable inhaled applications have been successfully developed and sold to international pharmaceutical companies in the past. "We are very excited about the collaboration with CytoTools, to which we bring over 20 years of inhalation technology experience and a proven exit track record," commented Axel Fischer, CEO of Activoris. "From our experience, we know how challenging it is to develop an effective therapeutic approach for viral infections. With DPOCL, CytoTools has an active compound in its portfolio that seems predestined for the inhaled approach."

Until completion of the clinical proof-of-concept, the project planning assumes costs of around EUR 0.8 million. "In principle, we are open to out-licensing or even a complete exit of the project at any time. However, the costs of the project are within such a manageable range and at the same time are in such an attractive ratio to the enormous market potential of the therapy that we can in principle also take the development through the clinical phases up to market maturity," Dr. Mark-André Freyberg, CEO of CytoTools, is certain. "With Activoris, we have convinced a very experienced and powerful partner for the project, so that we see extremely high chances of being able to develop the approach into a new standard in antiviral therapeutics."

The efficacy of DPOCL on the Sars-CoV-2 virus in combination with human CaCo-2 cells has already been investigated in cell culture experiments conducted at the end of 2020 by the University Working Group Medical Virology of the University Hospital Frankfurt. Here, a dose-dependent effect was observed, confirming over 90 percent efficacy with the highest dose and demonstrating the virucidal efficacy of DPOCL.

In the company's internal test series with commercially available inhalers, the nebulization of DPOCL in saline solution has also already been successfully tested. It can therefore be assumed that the positive results can also be replicated in the human study to be conducted. This would make it possible to combat the virus directly in the lungs or in the area of the bronchi and upper respiratory tract, i.e. at the entry barrier of the virus into the body, at a very early stage. The good tolerability of the active substance solution offers the advantage that a comparatively complication-free treatment can be started at a very early stage of an infection.

Further information on CytoTools AG, its affiliated subsidiaries and the holding company's drug pipeline is available on the company's website at www.cytotools.de.

Contact:
CytoTools AG
Ingo Middelmenne
Investor Relations
Mobile: +49-174-9091190
Email: [email protected]

About CytoTools:
CytoTools AG is a German biotechnology holding company that translates results from basic cell biology research on cell growth and programmed cell death into novel therapies for causal disease treatment and cure. CytoTools' versatile product pipeline includes proprietary chemical compounds and biopharmaceuticals that have the potential to provide new treatment options in dermatology, cardiology, urology and oncology. CytoTools is structured as a technology holding and investment company and holds interests in its subsidiaries DermaTools Biotech GmbH (65%) and CytoPharma GmbH (50%).

About Activoris Medizintechnik:

Activoris Medizintechnik GmbH in Gemünden (Wohra) is a specialized MedTech and pharmaceutical service provider with particular expertise in respiratory therapies and inhalation. Its customers are established companies as well as innovative startups from the biotech, medtech and pharma industries, which achieve greater flexibility, cost efficiency and faster market access through Activoris' outsourcing services. Additional information about the company is available on the company's website at www.activoris.com.

Disclaimer

This release contains certain forward-looking statements. These reflect the views of CytoTools as of the date of this release. Actual results achieved by CytoTools may differ materially from the findings in the forward-looking statements. CytoTools is under no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.