Verseon Corporation Verseon presents data on DME program at BIO 2017

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Verseon Corporation

26 June 2017

Press release June 26, 2017

Verseon Corporation

("Verseon" or the "Company")

Verseon presents preclinical data on diabetic macular edema candidates at BIO 2017

Fremont, Calif.-Verseon presented pharmacokinetic and in vivo efficacy data on its diabetic macular edema (DME) candidates at the 2017 BIO International Conference last week. The data suggest that Verseon's drug candidates reduce leakage into the retina and are suitable for topical or oral dosing.

Verseon is developing plasma kallikrein inhibitors for the treatment of DME, a major cause of vision loss in persons with diabetes mellitus. Weakened blood vessels caused by chronically high blood sugar can lead to fluid leaking into the retina, which may result in swelling, blurred vision, and eventually central vision loss associated with DME. By targeting the serine protease plasma kallikrein, a validated disease pathway, Verseon's drug candidates treat an underlying cause of DME.

At the BIO conference, Verseon presented an in vivo efficacy study with systemic dosing, which indicates that the Company's drug candidates reduce leakage into the retina and decrease mean circulation times, suggesting a slowing of the disease progression. Dr. David Kita, Vice President of R&D at Verseon, also presented pharmacokinetics for two series of drug candidates, which show good exposure in the relevant tissues of the eye when administered topically. Some of the Company's candidates also show high oral bioavailability.

A second presentation covered recent preclinical results in Verseon's anticoagulation program. The Company showed efficacy and safety data for its first development candidate for clinical trials and presented preclinical data on another promising lead candidate with a distinct chemotype.

About Verseon's diabetic macular edema program

Verseon has developed a new class of potent, selective compounds for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. The Company's plasma kallikrein inhibitors target a validated pathway addressing an underlying cause of the disease. In preclinical testing, Verseon's inhibitors show favorable biochemical properties permitting either oral or topical (eye drop) administration.

About Verseon's anticoagulation program

Verseon's potent, highly selective, oral direct thrombin inhibitors act through reversible covalent inhibition, a unique mode of action. Preclinical studies show that Verseon's inhibitors act as effective anticoagulants in multiple efficacy studies, but do not disrupt platelet function. This unique feature could explain their observed low bleeding risk. One of Verseon's lead candidates furthermore shows very low renal clearance, a highly desirable property for patients with impaired renal function.

About Verseon

Verseon Corporation (www.verseon.com, AIM: VSN) is a technology-based pharmaceutical company that employs its proprietary, computational drug discovery platform to develop novel therapeutics that are unlikely to be found using conventional methods. The Company is applying its platform to a growing drug pipeline and currently has three active drug programs in the areas of anticoagulation, diabetic macular edema, and oncology.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends, " "estimates," "plans," "will," "outlook," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, assumptions, and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of factors.

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June 26, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)