EDISON, N.J., July 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ContraVir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTRV), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of liver disease arising from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and chronic viral infection, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved the change of the Company’s name and stock symbol to Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and “HEPA,” respectively.

The Company’s new NASDAQ trading symbol will be effective as of the opening of trading on July 23, 2019, as will a new CUSIP number for the Company’s common stock of 426897104.

“We derived the name ‘Hepion’ by combining the ancient Greek word for liver, ‘hepar,’ with ‘Epione,’ the goddess of soothing, or healing,” commented Dr. Robert Foster, the Company’s CEO. “Changing the Company’s name to Hepion Pharmaceuticals is a reflection of the significant potential our lead candidate, CRV431, has to treat inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma associated with liver disease, in addition to its potential as an antiviral.”

The Company’s new website will be available at www.hepionpharma.com on July 23, 2019.

About Hepion Pharmaceuticals

Hepion Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of targeted therapies for liver disease arising from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and chronic hepatitis virus infection (HBV, HCV, HDV). The Company’s lead drug candidate, CRV431, reduces liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma tumor burden in experimental models of NASH. Preclinical studies also have demonstrated antiviral activities towards HBV, HCV, and HDV through several mechanisms. These diverse therapeutic activities result from CRV431’s potent inhibition of cyclophilin enzymes, which are involved in many disease processes. Currently in clinical phase development, CRV431 shows potential to play an important role in the overall treatment of liver disease - from triggering events through to end-stage disease.