Investors & Media

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cure SMA and Cytokinetics today announced an expanded partnership to increase education, awareness and fundraising for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).  As a National Platinum Partner for 2018, Cytokinetics will lend support to several of Cure SMA’s initiatives at both the local and national level to advance understanding of, and research toward potential treatments for SMA, a genetic disease that robs people of physical strength and takes away their ability to walk, eat or breathe.

Cytokinetics will sponsor the 2018 Annual SMA Conference as a Visionary Sponsor, increasing support for this unique event which brings together families affected by SMA, along with researchers and clinicians, to network, learn, and collaborate.

Cytokinetics is also a member of the Cure SMA Industry Collaboration, a multi-faceted partnership that brings together pharmaceutical companies, Cure SMA, and other nonprofit organizations, to share information, ideas, and data. The SMA Industry Collaboration works together to address scientific, clinical and regulatory topics that are critical to advancing drug development in SMA and will benefit the broader SMA community.

In addition, Cytokinetics will both sponsor and participate in two local events: the Concert for a Cure and the Northern California Walk-n-Roll. These are two of the largest fundraisers in Cytokinetics’ home base of Northern California, raising a combined $263,000 in 2017, and drawing nearly 700 participants from the community.

Finally, Cytokinetics will sponsor the 2018 Hope on the Hill Congressional Dinner, an annual event that unites families with leaders from government and industry, to work on shared goals like increasing awareness, advancing treatments for SMA, and improving patient care.

 “Cytokinetics has become one of our community’s most valued partners, and we are excited to have them back for another year of partnership,” said Kenneth Hobby, President of Cure SMA. “Because reldesemtiv targets the muscles directly, it is an important program for our goal of attacking SMA through multiple avenues, in order to gain approved treatments for all ages, types, and stages of SMA. We thank them for their dedication to our community and look forward to another productive year together.”

“We have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Cure SMA and are pleased to expand our involvements, particularly at a time when more attention and research are focused on the SMA community,” said Robert I. Blum, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cytokinetics. “We remain committed to advancing therapies for adolescents and adults with types II, III and IV SMA, a population in need of new therapies to address impaired muscle function and weakness despite the promise of gene-directed therapies.”

About Cure SMA

Cure SMA is dedicated to the treatment and cure of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) — a disease that takes away a person’s ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants. Since 1984, we’ve directed and invested in comprehensive research that has shaped the scientific community’s understanding of SMA. We are currently on the verge of breakthroughs that will strengthen bodies, extend life, and lead to a cure. We have deep expertise in every aspect of SMA – from the day-to-day realities to the nuances of care options – and until we have a cure, we’ll do everything we can to support and advocate for those affected by the disease. Learn more about how you can help us reach a treatment and cure at www.cureSMA.org.

About Cytokinetics

Cytokinetics is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class muscle activators as potential treatments for debilitating diseases in which muscle performance is compromised and/or declining. As a leader in muscle biology and the mechanics of muscle performance, the company is developing small molecule drug candidates specifically engineered to increase muscle function and contractility. Cytokinetics is collaborating with Amgen Inc. (“Amgen”) to develop omecamtiv mecarbil, a novel cardiac muscle activator. Omecamtiv mecarbil is the subject of GALACTIC-HF, an international Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with heart failure. Amgen holds an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize omecamtiv mecarbil with a sublicense held by Servier for commercialization in Europe and certain other countries. Cytokinetics is collaborating with Astellas Pharma Inc. (“Astellas”) to develop reldesemtiv (CK-2127107), a next-generation fast skeletal muscle troponin activator (FSTA). Reldesemtiv has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for the potential treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Reldesemtiv is the subject of three ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials enrolling patients with spinal muscular atrophy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Astellas is also conducting a Phase 1b clinical trial of reldesemtiv in elderly adults with limited mobility. Astellas holds an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize reldesemtiv. Licenses held by Amgen and Astellas are subject to Cytokinetics' specified co-development and co-commercialization rights. Cytokinetics continues its 20-year history of innovation with three new muscle biology directed compounds advancing from research to development in 2018. For additional information about Cytokinetics, visit www.cytokinetics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Cytokinetics disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Act's Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Cytokinetics' and its partners' research and development activities of Cytokinetics’ product candidates. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to the risks related to Cytokinetics' business outlined in Cytokinetics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and Cytokinetics' actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which it operates, may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Any forward-looking statements that Cytokinetics makes in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Cytokinetics assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Cytokinetics
Diane Weiser
Vice President, Corporate Communications, Investor Relations
(650) 624-3060

Source: Cytokinetics, Incorporated