ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: RGRX) (“RegeneRx” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage drug development company focused on tissue protection, repair and regeneration, today announced a new scientific publication in the most recent issue of the Journal of Neurochemistry describing how Thymosin beta 4 (TB4) reduces neurological injury following a stroke by up-regulating the expression of microRNA-200a (miR-200a).
The authors found that miR-200a, a very short and specific piece of RNA, is increased in the presence of TB4 in an in vitro stroke model, as well as when TB4 is administered systemically in a similar model. This increased miR-200a results in the down-regulation of a number of proteins that can negatively affect the repair of damaged tissue, in this case central nervous system tissue around the area damaged by the stroke.
The research team’s previous data demonstrated that TB4 treatment induces myelin basic protein synthesis and oligodendrogenesis by up-regulation of p38 MAPK. Such signaling induces remyelination (creation of new myelin sheaths) of axons of injured neurons and increases migration of newly generated neuro progenitor cells (immature cells that differentiate into target cells). This current study further defines the mechanism of action TB4 in tissue protection and repair in the brain.
According to the authors of the paper, “Our findings of miR-200a-mediated protection of progenitor cells may provide a new therapeutic importance for the treatment of neurological injury.”
The research was performed in the Departments of Neurology and Emergency Medicine at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI and the Department of Physics at Oakland University in Rochester, MI and published in the Journal of Neurochemistry, 2015 Oct 14. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13394. [Epub ahead of print].
About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
RegeneRx is focused on the development of a novel therapeutic peptide, Thymosin beta 4, for tissue and organ protection, repair and regeneration. RegeneRx currently has three drug candidates in clinical development for ophthalmic, cardiac and dermal indications, three active strategic licensing agreements in China, Pan Asia (Korea, Japan, and Australia, among others) and the U.S., and has worldwide patents and patent applications covering its products. RGN-259, the Company’s TB4-based ophthalmic drug candidate, has been designated an orphan drug for the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). RegeneRx has Phase 3 clinical trials with RGN-259 for the treatment of patients with NK. The drug candidate is also being tested in patients with dry eye syndrome in the U.S. and Asia. RGN-352, the Company’s TB4-based injectable formulation, is a Phase 2-ready drug candidate designed to be administered systemically to prevent and restore tissue damage associated with acute events such as heart attacks, strokes, and other similar traumatic injuries. For additional information about RegeneRx please visit www.regenerx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made under the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements used in this press release relate to, among other things, research results published by third parties and the expected timing of clinical trials in the United States and abroad. There can be no assurance that positive results from any research or clinical trial by the Company, its collaborators, or independent parties in the U.S. or any other country will result in subsequent clinical confirmation or future value. There can also be no assurance that any of the Company’s drug candidates will result in any approved products in the U.S. or any other country. Please view these and other risks described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including those identified in the “Risk Factors” section of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and subsequent quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q, as well as other filings it makes with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements in this press release represent the Company’s views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update this information, as a result of future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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SOURCE RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
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