Sydney, Australia, 6 March 2014 / B3C newswire / - Cellmid Limited (ASX: CDY) advises that The British Journal of Pharmacology (BJP) has recently published a special edition dedicated to midkine (MK) including 16 research papers by various authors. The BJP is the premier peer-reviewed publication of the British Pharmacological Society, and it is recognised as one of the most influential international journals covering all aspects of experimental pharmacology.
The BJP Midkine Issue contains invited reviews from pre-eminent MK researchers from around the world, with comprehensive up-to-date articles covering the gamut of MK biology. Publications examine the role of MK in diseases including various cancers, kidney diseases, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis and neurodegenerative disorders. New understanding of MK signaling and receptors is also featured. The full table of contents and the articles themselves can be viewed at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue-4/issuetoc.
“Being featured in a high-impact, internationally regarded journal with a global audience is a strong validation of MK’s importance in health and disease”, said Cellmid CEO, Maria Halasz. “Cellmid recognised this potential early on, and it is pleasing to see the increasing and ever wider realisation of MK’s potential utility as a disease target or as a therapeutic agent in its own right.”
“Having MK reviewed in this way is very helpful to Cellmid’s product development programs”, added Darren Jones, Head of Product Development. “Publications such as these provide strong supporting evidence to regulators, key opinion leaders and potential biotech and pharma partners. They provide a solid foundation upon which Cellmid can build its clinical programs and collaborations.”
Since its discovery in 1988, MK has been the subject of over 670 peer-review papers.
About Cellmid Limited (ASX: CDY)
Cellmid is an Australian biotechnology company with lead drug candidates in immunooncology. The Company is developing innovative novel therapies and diagnostic tests for a number of cancer indications, in particular solid tumours. Cellmid holds the largest and most comprehensive portfolio of intellectual property related to the novel oncology target midkine and midkine antagonists globally. The Company’s most advanced development programmes involve using its anti-midkine antibodies in addition to commercialising midkine as a biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.
About Midkine (MK)
Midkine is a growth factor that is highly expressed during embryonic development. Midkine modulates many important biological interactions such as cell growth, cell migration and cellular adherence. These functions are relevant to cancer, inflammation, autoimmunity, ischemia, nerve growth/repair and wound healing. Midkine is barely detectable in healthy adults and only occurs as a consequence of the pathogenesis of a number of different disorders. Midkine expression is often evident very early in disease onset, even before any apparent physical symptoms. Accordingly, midkine is an important early marker for diagnosing cancers and autoimmune diseases. Finally, midkine is only present in a disease context, and targeting midkine is not expected to harm normal healthy tissues.
Contact:
Maria Halasz, CEO
T +612 9221 6830
Twitter: @mariahalasz
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