Zocere Expands Development Portfolio, Licenses Neuroprotectant Technology for Stroke And Other Brain Trauma from STC.UNM

Albuquerque, NM – March 10, 2014

Zocere, Inc., has signed a licensing agreement for a novel neuroprotectant treatment for ischemic stroke and other neurological disorders from STC.UNM, the University of New Mexico’s technology transfer and economic development organization.

Zocere is a New Mexico-based pharmaceutical company developing drug-based treatments for neurological diseases, with the most compelling data to date for the treatment of stroke. Currently, there are few treatment options for blood clot-induced ischemic stroke, which accounts for 87 percent of strokes. Those on the market are little used and have risks associated with their use. Zocere’s newly licensed STEP protein, a biologic that is a cell-permeable, recombinant peptide, shows promise as a potent “brain saving” drug when administered post stroke.

Commenting on the agreement, Zocere CEO Wayne Laslie said, “The demand for injectable drugs to stop the progression of brain damage and death is high because there is no other option for a neuroprotectant therapy for stroke or one that halts its devastating effects. Many lives are cut short or forever altered due to this lack of effective treatment. We are pleased to have licensed this technology from STC.UNM as it has the potential to save lives, reduce long-term disability, and decrease the cost of care and rehabilitation.”

STC.UNM CEO Lisa Kuuttila added that the University of New Mexico is very pleased Zocere has licensed the STEP peptide technology developed by faculty member Dr. Surojit Paul. “Dr. Paul has dedicated more than 12 years of research toward this effort. Because of his meticulous work, Zocere is licensing a drug with a well-founded scientific basis and novel mechanism action, giving them a unique opportunity to bring a potentially game-changing drug to market and give new hope to stroke patients.”

Zocere has assembled a team of pharmaceutical professionals with deep experience in drug commercialization. The company is focused on identifying a clinical partner to assist with bringing the drug to market. Because of the drug’s novel formulation and results of preliminary animal studies, Zocere is confident of attracting a pharmaceutical company interested in meeting a significant unmet medical need with the drug.

Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming 130,000 lives each year. In 2010, the cost of stroke-related health care, medications, and missed work to the U.S. economy was $73.7 billion. Stroke is also the leading cause of long-term disability. African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans are disproportionately affected by stroke.

About Zocere, Inc.
Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Zocere is a startup pharmaceutical company developing injectable neuroprotectant drugs intended to combat stroke and other neurological trauma. Zocere is led by a team of seasoned pharmaceutical industry executives with extensive experience in drug commercialization. Visit www.Zocere.com.

About STC.UNM
As the technology transfer and economic development arm of the University of New Mexico, STC.UNM protects and commercializes technologies developed at UNM by filing patents and copyrights and transferring the technologies to the marketplace. We connect the business communication (companies, entrepreneurs and investors) to these UNM technologies for licensing opportunities and the creation of startup companies. Visit www.stc.unm.edu.

For Information
Melanie Lux, 803-331-4794 mlux@luxandassociates.com