MONTREAL, July 14 /CNW/ - ConjuChem Biotechnologies Inc. (TSX: CJB - News) announced today that, pending further investigation, it has put on clinical hold its DAC(TM):GRF program in HIV lipodystrophy and is discontinuing further dosing in its Phase II trial of DAC(TM):GRF in HIV lipodystrophy due to a death of a patient involved in the trial. The cause of death and the relationship of the study drug to the event, which occurred at a clinical site in Argentina, is currently under investigation.
About GRF and DAC(TM):GRF
Growth hormone (GH) is essential to linear growth in children and to the metabolic regulation of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and minerals. GH is secreted in response to growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), also known as growth hormone releasing factor (GRF). GRF has been shown to produce a natural pulsatile release of GH in humans.
Although it produces a natural pulsatile release of GH, GRF’s short-half life necessitates multiple daily injections rendering it impractical for clinical use and commercialization. DAC(TM): GRF is a chemically modified form of GRF that, once injected in the body, covalently bonds to albumin, the dominant protein in blood, thus dramatically prolonging the half-life of GRF from minutes to days.
About ConjuChem Biotechnologies
ConjuChem Biotechnologies Inc., developer of next generation medicines from therapeutic peptides, is creating long-acting compounds based on bioconjugation platform technologies. When applied to peptides, the Company’s systemic DAC(TM) Technologies enable the creation of new drugs with significantly enhanced therapeutic properties as compared to the original peptide. The Company is developing compounds to treat various disorders including diabetes, human growth deficiencies and HIV/AIDS.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements made herein constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause ConjuChem’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any of the Company’s statements. Actual events or results may differ materially. We disclaim any intention, and assume no obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.
For further information
Lennie Ryer, CA, Vice President Finance, CFO, ConjuChem Inc., (514) 844-5558 ext 224, ryer@conjuchem.com Michael Polonsky, Investor Relations, (416) 815-0700 ext. 231, (416) 815-0080, mpolonsky@equicomgroup.com
Source: Conjuchem Biotechnologies Inc.
