Press Releases

BRANFORD, Conn. – May 4, 2007 – Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on novel drugs to treat serious neurological disorders, today announced that it is enrolling patients in an international, multi-center, placebo controlled Phase IIb study of its lead compound, Ganaxolone, as an adjunctive treatment in adults suffering from partial onset seizures.  This marks the second indication for which Marinus is evaluating Ganaxolone.  Ganaxolone is also currently being evaluated in a separate Phase IIb study in infants suffering from Infantile Spasms (also called West syndrome).

“Our goal for this study is to demonstrate that Ganaxolone is a valuable addition to the therapeutic choices available for patients who continue to have seizures even when taking other anticonvulsant drugs,” said Harry H. Penner, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marinus. “We believe that the combination of strong evidence in the scientific literature of Ganaxolone’s efficacy in epilepsy and our new proprietary formulation makes Ganaxolone a solidly viable anticonvulsant drug candidate.”

Information concerning patient participation in both Marinus studies evaluating Ganaxolone can be found later in this release.

About Ganaxolone

In the 1990’s, Ganaxolone was administered to more than 700 healthy adult volunteers and patients, 214 in Phase I studies, and 498 in Phase II epilepsy and migraine studies. The epilepsy studies involved more than 100 patients and generated data supportive of Ganaxolone’s efficacy and safety in the treatment of both children and adults suffering from refractory epilepsy (patients who continue to have seizures even when taking multiple anticonvulsant drugs). In a placebo controlled adult epilepsy trial, adverse events in subjects receiving Ganaxolone were similar to those in subjects receiving placebo. 

In December, 2006, Marinus successfully completed a performance study of a proprietary new liquid suspension formulation of Ganaxolone designed by Marinus specifically for its Phase IIb studies.

Clinical Study Participation – Adult Partial Seizures

Marinus welcomes your interest in participation in this study. Please call Marinus at (877) 315-0566 or contact us by email at clincaltrials@marinuspharma.com. Potential volunteers in the U.S., Brazil, Europe and India should be between adults between the ages of 18 and 69 who are currently taking no more than two anti-epilepsy drugs. See also ClinicalTrials.gov (search word 'ganaxolone) at http://clinicaltrials.gov/

Clinical Study Participation – Infantile Spasms

Marinus continues to welcome your interest in participation in our Infantile Spasms study. Please call Marinus at (877) 315-0566 or contact us by email at clincaltrials@marinuspharma.com. Potential subjects in the US, Brazil, Germany, Romania, Poland, India, or the Czech Republic should be between the ages of four and twenty four months of age. See also ClinicalTrials.gov (search word 'ganaxolone) at http://clinicaltrials.gov/

About Marinus

Marinus is a new specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the reformulation, development, and commercialization of novel drugs to treat serious neurological, psychiatric, and pain disorders. Marinus is located in Branford, Connecticut and financed by Domain Associates, Canaan Partners, Sofinnova Ventures, and Foundation Medical Partners. For additional information, please visit the company’s website at www.marinuspharma.com.

Marinus Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase IIb Study of Ganaxolone for Infantile Spasms
BRANFORD, Conn. – February 27, 2007 – Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on novel drugs to treat serious neurological disorders, today announced the dosing of the first patient in an international, multi-center, randomized Phase IIb study of its lead compound, ganaxolone, in infants suffering from Infantile Spasms (also called West syndrome), an indication for which the company has received an Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Infantile Spasms is a comparatively rare but catastrophic form of epilepsy for which no drugs are currently approved in the U.S.,” said Harry H. Penner, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marinus. “We are genuinely excited by the prospect of helping the infant children and their families afflicted by this devastating seizure disorder.”

About Ganaxolone
In the 1990’s, ganaxolone was administered to more than 700 healthy adult volunteers and patients, 214 in Phase I studies, and 498 in Phase II epilepsy and migraine studies. The epilepsy studies involved more than 100 patients and generated data supportive of ganaxolone’s efficacy and safety in the treatment of both children and adults suffering from refractory epilepsy. In a placebo controlled adult epilepsy trial, adverse events were similar to placebo. In December, 2006, Marinus successfully completed a performance study of a proprietary new liquid suspension formulation of ganaxolone designed by Marinus specifically for the pediatric population.

Clinical Study Participation
Marinus welcomes your interest in participation in this study. Please call Marinus at (877) 315-0566 or contact us by email at clincaltrials@marinuspharma.com. Potential volunteers in the US or Europe should be between the ages of four-months and 24-months of age. See also ClinicalTrials.gov (search word 'infantile spasms') at http://clinicaltrials.gov/

About Marinus
Marinus is a new specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the reformulation, development, and commercialization of novel drugs to treat serious neurological, psychiatric, and pain disorders. Marinus is located in Branford, Connecticut and financed by Domain Associates, Canaan Partners, Sofinnova Ventures, and Foundation Medical Partners.

Marinus Pharmaceuticals completes a $29.4 million Series A financing round. BRANFORD, Conn., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a new developer of drugs to treat serious central nervous system disorders, today announced the closing of a $29.4 million Series A financing round. The financing was led by Domain Associates, Sofinnova Ventures and Canaan Partners, with participation by Foundation Medical Partners and private investors. The funds will be used primarily for the in-licensing and development of clinical stage drugs to treat neurological, psychiatric and pain disorders.

"We are extremely proud of our new investor group and thrilled at the confidence shown in our team and our strategy," said Harry H. Penner, Jr., Marinus' Chairman and CEO.

"We believe that Marinus has the opportunity to become a leader in developing new therapies to treat serious CNS disorders," said Nicole Vitullo, a partner at Domain Associates.

"The Marinus prospect for bringing to market drugs known for their efficacy and for an excellent safety profile was the key investment factor," commented Nicola Campbell, Ph.D, a partner at Sofinnova Ventures.

Ms. Vitullo and Dr. Campbell will join Mr. Penner on the company's board of directors, as will Stephen Bloch, MD, of Canaan Partners.

About Domain Associates

Founded in 1985, Domain Associates L.L.C. is a venture capital firm with an exclusive focus on life sciences. With $1.4 billion under management, Domain is headquartered in Princeton, N. J. with a second office in Laguna Nigel, CA.

About Sofinnova Ventures

Sofinnova Ventures is a venture capital firm emphasizing a diversified investment strategy through financing early stage companies in the life science and information technology sectors. Founded in 1974, the San Francisco-based firm currently has $600 million under management. Sofinnova's mission is to create value by providing entrepreneurs with the resources, experience and networks necessary to turn their bright ideas into thriving businesses. With deeply rooted ties to Europe's leading financial, technology and venture institutions, Sofinnova is also uniquely positioned to foster trans-Atlantic synergy and market acceleration. For more information, visit http://www.sofinnova.com.

About Canaan Partners

Canaan Partners are proven company-builders who catalyze the development of innovative early- and mid-stage technology and healthcare companies to create next-generation market leaders. Founded in 1987, the firm has invested in more than 210 companies, completed 52 mergers and acquisitions, and taken 45 companies public. Canaan was an early investor in Dexcom (DXCM), Dexterra, DoubleClick (DCLK), CommerceOne (CMRC), Copper Mountain Networks (CMTN), Esperion (ESPR), Immunicon (IMMC), ONI Systems (ONIS), and Peninsula Pharmaceuticals. Canaan has offices in Menlo Park, California and Rowayton, Connecticut. http://www.canaan.com

About Foundation Medical Partners

Foundation Medical Partners is a venture capital investment firm affiliated with The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The firm is focused solely on health care with a special interest in medical devices, biopharmaceutical platforms and products, and other opportunities in health care including diagnostics, health care services, and health care information systems. Foundation is based in Rowayton, Connecticut.

About Marinus

Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is based in Branford, CT and is dedicated to the identification, development and commercialization of drugs to treat serious neurological, psychiatric and pain disorders. Marinus is a privately held company funded by Domain Associates, Sofinnova Ventures, Canaan Partners, and Foundation Medical Partners. For additional information on Marinus, please visit http://www.marinuspharma.com.

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