Arno Therapeutics Announces Issuance Of First Onapristone Patent
FLEMINGTON, N.J., June 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arno Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB:ARNI), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of therapeutics for cancer and other life threatening diseases, today announced that United States Patent Number 9,046,534 has been issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) related to the methods and systems for identifying and treating patients with anti-progestin sensitive tumors using the Company's lead product candidate, onapristone. The patent, which Arno has exclusively licensed from Invivis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., establishes that the focal nuclear distribution pattern of the progesterone receptor can be used to identify tumors susceptible to treatment with anti-progestin therapy.
Alex Zukiwski, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Arno Therapeutics, commented, "As we continue advancing the clinical development of our lead compound, onapristone, we are committed to protecting our investment through a robust and defensible intellectual property portfolio. This method patent strengthens our IP around the identification of patients most likely to benefit from treatment with our unique anti-progestin hormone blocker."
Onapristone is an oral, anti-progestin hormone blocker that has been shown in previous Phase II clinical trials (not sponsored by Arno) to exhibit considerable anti-tumor activity in patients with breast cancer. In pre-clinical testing, onapristone has been shown to block the activation of PR, which is believed to be a mechanism that inhibits the growth of APR driven breast, endometrial and other gynecological tumors. APR has the potential to function as a biomarker of anti-progestin activity, as detected by a companion diagnostic currently under development with Arno's partner, Leica Biosystems.
About Arno Therapeutics
Arno Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative products for the treatment of cancer and other life threatening diseases. Arno has exclusive worldwide rights to develop and market three innovative product candidates. These compounds are in clinical or preclinical development as product candidates to treat hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, as well as infectious diseases. For more information about the company, please visit www.arnothera.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "believes," "intends," and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's belief in the protection to be afforded the Company from the patents described herein, the timing, progress and anticipated results of the clinical development of onapristone, including the ability to identify and treat those patients most likely to benefit from onapristone, as well as Arno's strategy, future operations, outlook, milestones, future financial position, future financial results, plans and objectives. Arno may not actually achieve these plans, intentions or expectations and Arno cautions investors not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements made here. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks that the results of clinical trials will not support claims or beliefs concerning the effectiveness of onapristone or any other product candidates, the ability to successfully develop a diagnostic to identify APR tumors, the ability to finance the development of Arno's product candidates, regulatory risks, and reliance on third party researchers and other collaborators. Additional risks are described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Arno is providing this information as of the date of this press release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CONTACT: The Ruth Group Lee Roth (investors) lroth@theruthgroup.com (646) 536-7012 Kirsten Thomas (media) kthomas@theruthgroup.com (646) 536-7014 Arno Therapeutics Lawrence Kenyon lk@arnothera.com (862) 703-7171
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