Bladder Pain Syndrome / Interstitial Cystitis (“BPS/IC”) is a chronic urinary bladder disease characterized by erosion of the lining and chronic inflammation of the bladder, pelvic pain and increased urinary urgency and/or frequency. For many BPS/IC sufferers, their symptoms of constant pain and urinary frequency are severe and adversely affect all major aspects of their lives, including overall physical and emotional health, employment, social and intimate relationships, and leisure activities. Stress or a change in diet has been known to trigger symptoms. BPS/IC affects men and women of all ages. BPS/IC currently affects an estimated 14 million people in the United States and is accepted to be one of the most challenging urological conditions without effective therapy.

There is no known cure for BPS/IC, although a number of therapies can relieve symptoms. The only approved oral therapy is an agent, pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron), first approved in 1996, which helps to temporarily restore the bladder lining. Other therapies include such approaches as antihistamines, low dose antidepressants to fight neurogenic pain and analgesics. Most BPS/IC patients continue to suffer this debilitating condition, despite treatment with existing therapies. Most current therapies and those in development are focused solely on symptomatic relief of BPS/IC. In addition to oral therapies, direct instillation of drugs into the bladder via catheter (intravesical therapy) has been shown to provide temporary relief of symptoms.

Our Phase 2 trial, known as the LEADERSHIP trial, is investigating AQX-1125’s ability compared to placebo to reduce pain and urinary symptoms in approximately 70 BPS/IC patients. The primary endpoint is to measure the difference in the change from baseline in the mean daily bladder pain score based on an 11-point numeric rating scale at two, four and six weeks recorded by electronic diary. We believe that we have incorporated strategies into our Phase 2 trial for AQX-1125 in BPS/IC that address the shortcomings of prior published trials by other companies, and capitalize on the properties of our product candidate. The LEADERSHIP trial is being conducted at community and academic sites across Canada and is anticipated to complete with full enrollment and initial results in the first half of 2015.

We believe AQX-1125 is a candidate for evaluation in BPS/IC due to the fact that it has demonstrated activity in both preclinical studies and clinical trials relevant to BPS/IC and is delivered to the bladder via the bloodstream and excreted unmetabolized into the urine thereby achieving high concentrations proximate to the inflamed bladder wall.

If you are a BPS/IC patient interested in participating in the LEADERSHIP study, please visit www.cmxres.com.

For more information on the LEADERSHIP study, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.