LA JOLLA, Calif., April 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cordex Pharma, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to collaborate with BG Medicine (BGM) in its Phase 2 clinical safety trial with CDP-1050 in heart failure patients.
In this collaboration, BGM will measure levels of Galectin-3 in patients enrolled in the study. Galectin-3 is a biomarker for cardiac remodeling associated with advanced stages of heart failure.
CDP-1050 is being developed as a new therapeutic modality in the management of heart failure. It targets the redox-nitiric oxide imbalance, which is increasingly recognized as a major factor in poor myocardial contractile efficiency, the hallmark manifestation of this disorder.
About Heart Failure
Heart failure, a condition characterized by the inability of the heart to effectively pump blood as well as by fluid accumulation in the lungs and other tissues, is suffered by an estimated five million Americans and is responsible for 300,000 deaths in the U.S. annually, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. It is the single largest Medicare expense, at a cost of $33.2 billion each year. The five-year mortality rate with heart failure can be as high as fifty (50) percent.
About CDP-1050
CDP-1050 is an investigational drug candidate for the treatment of heart failure. The drug is designed to correct the nitric oxide and redox imbalance in the failing heart and the cardiovascular system. CDP-1050 has a dual mechanism of action; it inhibits the production of excessive reactive oxygen radicals and restores nitric oxide to physiologic levels. The primary therapeutic target is the ryanodine receptor, the main ion channel in the heart that supplies the calcium necessary for the heart to contract. CDP-1050 is expected to enter a Phase 2 clinical trial.
About Cordex Pharma, Inc.
Cordex is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops new cardiovascular medicines based upon the emerging pharmacology of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nitric oxide (NO). These two molecules play critical roles in cellular metabolism and signal transduction, the manipulation of which constitute novel therapeutic modalities for the treatment of major cardiovascular disorders. Cordex has a portfolio of investigational medicines, two of which are in late stages of clinical development. Cordex’s ATPace is expected to enter a Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in 2009. Cordex’s CDP-1050 is also expected to commence a Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of heart failure. In addition, Cordex has a preclinical program to develop new chemical entities that target a recently discovered pathway in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For further information regarding Cordex, please visit the company’s website at www.cordexpharma.com.
About BG Medicine
BG Medicine (BGM) is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel molecular diagnostics based on biomarkers to improve patient outcomes and contain healthcare costs. Its technology platform uniquely positions it to rapidly and cost-effectively discover new high-value biomarkers over a broad range of therapeutic categories that promise to be highly correlated to clinical outcomes. BGM has built a broad product pipeline that focuses on cardiovascular disease, cancer and CNS disorders through academic collaborations and initiatives with major pharmaceutical companies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other healthcare organizations.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended 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. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections made by management. Cordex intends for the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” or variations of such words are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All statements in this release regarding the future outlook related to Cordex are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the statements regarding ATPace’s expected entry into a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and the anticipated results of the trial and CDP-1050’s expected commencement of a Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of heart failure The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Such risks include the risk that the clinical trial for approval of ATPace and the Phase 2 clinical trial for our CDP-1050 may not be successful, that our preclinical program to develop new chemical entities that target a newly discovered pathway in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may not be successful, and that our technology may not lead to expected results including the development or the successful commercialization of technologies relating to the use of ATP or nitric oxide. Additional uncertainties and risks are described in Cordex’s most recently filed SEC documents, such as its most recent annual report on Form 10-K, all quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and any current reports on Form 8-K filed since the date of the last Form 10-K. Copies of these filings are available through the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to Cordex on the date hereof. Cordex undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
CONTACT: James S. Kuo, M.D., M.B.A., Chairman and CEO of Cordex Pharma,
Inc., +1-858-551-5700, Fax, +1-858-551-5704, jkuo@cordexpharma.com
Web site: http://www.cordexpharma.com/
