NEW YORK, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AngioGenex Inc. has identified and filed a patent application on small molecules that are potent inhibitors of the Id proteins. “The identification of these lead molecules and the filing of this patent constitute major milestones in the Company’s goal to develop orally active anti-cancer drugs,” said Dr. Richard Salvador, President and CEO, and the former global head of Preclinical Development at Hoffmann La Roche, Inc. He further stated that, “the work embodied in this patent establishes the ‘drugability’ of the Id proteins as targets allowing the Company to move forward with the preclinical work required to bring these molecules into the clinic.”
According to Dr. William Garland, VP & Head of R&D, “both the in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that our small molecule inhibitors of the Id proteins will block angiogenesis and malignant transformation of cells responsible for tumor growth in man, and are likely to be orally active.” Further, “inhibition of the Id proteins by these small molecules is unlikely to cause serious adverse effects in patients since they are not known to be required for the normal function of cells of the body. Their only function, with minor exceptions, is to promote blood vessel formation into tumors.”
AngioGenex is currently testing a companion diagnostic that detects low levels of the Id proteins in serum. This diagnostic was developed in collaboration with BioCheck, Inc. of Foster City, California. Preliminary clinical results suggest that it has the potential to detect the presence of Id proteins at an early stage of tumor development allowing early medical intervention; it may also be useful to either follow the course of therapy or to determine whether there is a recurrence of disease.
AngioGenex, Inc. is actively engaged in the discovery, acquisition and development of anti-cancer molecules that act by inhibiting either the Id genes or proteins to prevent the formation of new blood vessels into tumors (angiogenesis). The Company’s technology is based on the research of Dr. Robert Benezra and his colleagues at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City who established that activation of the Id genes is required for the formation of new blood vessels into tumors, allowing tumors to grow and metastasize. Dr. Benezra demonstrated that the absence of the Id genes in animals results in a highly significant inhibition of tumor growth and a reduction in the size of mature tumors. The research of Dr. Benezra on the role of the Id genes in tumor formation has been widely recognized for its important therapeutic implications.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results described in the forward-looking statements, including risks or uncertainties related to the ability of AngioGenex to raise subsequent, substantial additional financing, to complete clinical development of AngioGenex products, and the ability of the Company to successfully develop and market AngioGenex products and technologies. These statements represent the judgment of management as of this date and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could materially affect the Company. AngioGenex undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect recent events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
CONTACT: Michael Strage V.P. Corporate Communications of AngioGenex Inc.,
+1-212-874-6608, or Cell, +1-646-642 0701, or Fax, +1-212-874-5027
Web site: http://www.angiogenex.com//
