MYOS inks deal with HMT to conduct clinical metabolomic trial in subjects using fortetropin

Founded in 2003, HMT is a global leader in the emerging fields of metabolomics and systems biology.

HMT will apply their proprietary, state-of-the-art capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) technologies to characterize the metabolomic profiles of plasma samples obtained from healthy male subjects who used either Fortetropin or placebo with the goal of identifying metabolites with pro-myogenic activity in the plasma samples of subjects who took Fortetropin as well as examining the effect on glucose and fat metabolism.

Results from prior clinical studies of Fortetropin demonstrated that this myostatin inhibiting product had significant benefits in producing lean body mass and reducing body fat mass.

The potential clinical implications of these observations may represent important new uses for the product in the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

MYOS anticipates that the results from this comparative metabolomic study of Fortetropin and placebo will enhance its understanding of the mechanism of action of Fortetropin and provide guidance for development of biotherapeutics based on Fortetropin.

Additionally, the early indications of plasma biomarkers may guide future study design for Fortetropin clinical trials by identifying clinically-relevant endpoints and potential stratification of patient populations. HMT will use a metabolite database of over 290 lipids and over 900 metabolites which may be potential plasma biomarkers of muscle growth.

Tsutomu Hoshiba, President of HMT, commented, "We are thrilled that MYOS is partnering with HMT to leverage our expertise and state-of the-art technologies in metabolomics. For the aging population there is an urgent need to address muscle wasting diseases such as sarcopenia and frailty. MYOS is taking an innovative approach to addressing this need through the development of novel dietary supplements and therapeutic products."

Robert C. Ashton, Jr., M.D., Chief Medical Officer at MYOS commented, "We believe our research collaboration with HMT will deepen our understanding of the metabolic impact of Fortetropin in humans and provide a basis for further studies which may create a path to using this product as an adjunct to the treatment of diabetes, cachexia and even obesity.

"In addition, we believe this collaboration will help us better understand the pro-myogenic milieu and identify potential biomarkers which may strengthen future research. We hope these data will enable MYOS to provide a compelling scientific rationale for the use of Fortetropin to address the unmet need for a safe and effective treatment for sarcopenia as well as in the management of muscle wasting seen in cachexia of chronic illness."

The Company expects to receive the results of this study in the fourth quarter of 2014.