Veloxis Pharmaceuticals Announces 'Pegrizeprument' as New Name for VEL-101 Following USAN Approval

CARY, N.C., February 25, 2025 – Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company and a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, has reported a significant breakthrough in its drug development journey. The United States Adopted Name (USAN) Council has granted official approval for 'pegrizeprument' as the nonproprietary name for the company's flagship transplant candidate, previously known as VEL-101. This approval is a critical step as Veloxis prepares to advance its innovative drug designed for transplant patients.

The USAN Council, comprising experts from esteemed institutions such as the American Medical Association and the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, is tasked with creating standardized drug names. These not only enhance communication among healthcare professionals across the globe but also aid in reducing medication errors, thereby improving patient safety. The introduction of the name pegrizeprument underscores the imperative for consistent drug identification, crucial for healthcare providers and patients alike.

Dr. Tunde Otulana, Chief Medical Officer at Veloxis, stated, "The adoption of the name pegrizeprument marks another key milestone for our innovative investigational immunosuppressive therapy as we prepare to move to the next phase of development. It reinforces our dedication to developing innovative therapies to improve the lives of transplant recipients worldwide."

Understanding Pegrizeprument \(Formerly VEL-101\)

Pegrizeprument is a pegylated monoclonal monovalent antibody fragment specifically designed to inhibit CD28-mediated effector-T cell costimulation. This unique mechanism of action is crucial as it does not obstruct CTLA-4—a protein that helps regulate immune responses. By blocking CD28-mediated T cell activation, pegrizeprument is expected to provide a dual-mechanism of action that not only helps to prevent acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients but could extend its benefits to those undergoing other types of organ transplants.

Originally licensed by Veloxis from OSE Immunotherapeutics in April 2021, pegrizeprument is positioned for global development. The licensing agreement grants Veloxis comprehensive rights to manufacture, develop, and commercialize this promising therapy for all transplant applications.

Veloxis Pharmaceuticals: A Commitment to Transplant Patients

Founded with a mission to enhance the quality of life for transplant patients, Veloxis Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, and specializes in the development of medications tailored for transplant recipients and related serious medical conditions. With the announcement of pegrizeprument, the company continues to push the boundaries of innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.

Veloxis operates under the umbrella of the Asahi Kasei Group, a company dedicated to addressing global challenges in health care. Asahi Kasei has been a proactive force since its inception in 1922, diversifying its business portfolio to better meet the evolving needs of society. With over 49,000 employees worldwide, the group emphasizes sustainability and health care solutions, contributing to improved living standards globally.

In summary, the USAN approval of 'pegrizeprument' marks not just a milestone for Veloxis Pharmaceuticals but also represents a significant advancement in the field of transplant medicine. As Veloxis embarks on the next phase of development for pegrizeprument, the company remains committed to its vision of enhancing the lives of transplant patients around the world. The future indeed looks promising as Veloxis continues to innovate within the pharmaceutical landscape.

For more information on Veloxis and their innovative therapies, visit Veloxis.com.