ADELAIDE, Australia, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bionomics reports significant progress in its cancer therapeutics program Bionomics today announced that it has been granted a patent in New Zealand for a series of compounds that have shown promise as potential new treatments for cancer.
Bionomics is currently developing the compounds as "vascular targeting agents" for the treatment of solid tumours. Vascular targeting agents act by starving tumors of the blood flow they require to grow.
Dr. Bernard Flynn, a co-inventor of the compounds and now VP of Chemistry of Bionomics, stated that, "This patent covers a range of structures that have demonstrated significant efficacy as anticancer agents. These compounds have resulted from application of our MultiCore(R) chemistry platform to vascular targeting, a highly promising new area of anticancer drug discovery. This is a field of intense interest within the industry and our compounds offer the competitive advantages of exceptional potency and superior drug-likeness."
The granted patent was originally licensed to Iliad Chemicals Pty Ltd by the Australian National University and the U.S. Government. Iliad was acquired by Bionomics on 1 July 2005.
Significant progress in Bionomics anticancer program
In announcing the grant of the patent, Bionomics also reported that rapid progress in the vascular targeting agent program has resulted in the identification of six lead candidate compounds. Further testing will enable the selection of a nominated clinical candidate.
Bionomics anticipates that this further work will be completed in the first quarter of 2006. "Following the acquisition of Iliad, we have rolled out a comprehensive integration program to bring together Bionomics' Angene(R) platform in cancer biology with the MultiCore(R) chemistry technology. This effort has already borne fruit in the identification of several promising anticancer leads," stated Dr. Deborah Rathjen, CEO and Managing Director of Bionomics.
At the completion of the acquisition of Iliad Chemicals Pty Ltd earlier this year, a plan for further evaluating in excess of 90 active compounds was implemented. The execution of this plan has enabled Bionomics to select potent vascular targeting compounds with desirable drug-like properties to move forward, prior to commencement of manufacture of drug compound and formal toxicology which will support clinical development of the preferred anticancer vascular targeting compound. Each of the compounds currently under evaluation is proprietary to the Company with both composition of matter and use patent claims under examination.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: DR DEBORAH RATHJEN CEO & MANAGING DIRECTOR BIONOMICS LIMITED Ph: +61 8 8354 6101 About the Patent Country: New Zealand Number: 527029 (Formerly Application No. 527029) Date: 1 February 2002 Invention: "Synthesis for the preparation of compounds for screening as potential tubulin binding agents" Expires: 1 February 2022 About Bionomics Limited
Bionomics discovers and develops innovative therapeutics, working with partners to maximise wealth for shareholders. The Company leverages its proprietary platforms MultiCore(R), ionX(R) and Angene(R) to discover new treatments for CNS disorders, including anxiety and epilepsy, and cancer.
For more information about Bionomics, visit http://www.bionomics.com.au
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This announcement contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the United States' Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this press release that relate to prospective events or developments are deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including risks related to our available funds or existing funding arrangements, a downturn in our customers' markets, our failure to introduce new products or technologies in a timely manner, regulatory changes, risks related to our international operations, our inability to integrate acquired businesses and technologies into our existing business and to our competitive advantages, as well as other factors. Subject to the requirements of any applicable legislation or the listing rules of any stock exchange on which our securities are quoted, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.
BionomicsCONTACT: Dr Deborah Rathjen, CEO & Managing Director of Bionomics Limited,+61-8-8354-6101
Web site: http://www.bionomics.com.au/
