LA JOLLA, Calif., May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Duska Therapeutics, Inc. (“Duska” or the “Company”) announced today that scientists from the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health have published the results of the Company’s sponsored study showing that extracellular ATP (adenosine 5'-triphosphate) improves sperm motility and increases fertilizing capability in mice.
The data was published online in the journal Biology of Reproduction (http://www.biolreprod.org/cgi/content/abstract/biolreprod.107.065565).
The University of Pennsylvania scientists studied sperm obtained from two mouse strains: one with normal and the other one with low fertilization capacity. Extracellular ATP treatment of these sperm in vitro (outside of the body) resulted in improved sperm motility parameters and was associated with a rapid increase in the level of intracellular calcium. The effect was inhibited by two P2 receptor antagonists. Furthermore, extracellular ATP treatment of mouse sperm resulted in increased success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The improved fertilization rate was much more pronounced when sperm from the mouse strain with low fertility were used.
The authors suggest that ATP’s activation of P2 receptors to modulate sperm function may be beneficial for artificial reproductive techniques.
“We are extremely pleased with the positive results of sperm treatment with ATP, which were obtained in this second Duska-sponsored study,” said Dr. Amir Pelleg, Duska’s President and Chief Scientific Officer. “These results indicate that the mechanism of action of extracellular ATP on improving sperm motility and fertilization potency is mediated by P2 receptors and increased level of intracellular calcium. The data further support the development of ATPotent(TM), which contains ATP, as a novel processing medium to improve sperm motility when used in conjunction with IVF or IUI procedures,” he added.
No human embryos were created or destroyed in this Duska-sponsored study
About Male Infertility and ATPotent(TM)
Asthenozoospermia, i.e., lack of or low sperm motility, is a common cause of human male infertility. It has been reported in the medical literature that the prevalence of altered sperm motility in infertile men is approximately 82%. Currently, there is no FDA-approved product that improves sperm motility. Duska’s proprietary ATPotent(TM) is being developed as a novel processing medium to improve sperm motility in conjunction with IVF or IUI procedures. One component of ATPotent(TM) is ATP, a naturally occurring biological molecule that is found in all human cells. Naturally occurring ATP in the female reproductive tract is believed to play a facilitating role in normal egg fertilization. Several in vitro studies conducted on sperm of human and several animal species suggest that extracellular ATP treatment of poorly motile sperm improves motility parameters and increases the success rate of IVF procedures.
About Duska Therapeutics, Inc.
Duska Therapeutics, Inc., based in La Jolla, California, is a biotechnology company focused on the development of medical products based on ATP (adenosine 5'-triphosphate). Duska owns or has exclusive licensing rights to proprietary medical products that are in various stages of development for the treatment and diagnosis of certain cardiac arrhythmias, improvement of sperm motility, treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and chronic cough, and mitigation of the toxic effects of radiation exposure. For more information on the company, visit Duska’s website at http://www.duskatherapeutics.com.
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. Duska 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 Duska are forward-looking statements, including the statements that these results indicate that the mechanism of action of extracellular ATP on improving sperm motility and fertilization potency is mediated by P2 receptors and increased level of intracellular calcium and that the data further support the development of ATPotent(TM), which contains ATP, as a novel processing medium to enhance sperm motility when used in conjunction with IVF or IUI procedures. 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. Additional uncertainties and risks are described in Duska’s most recently filed SEC documents, such as its most recent annual report on Form 10-KSB, all quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and any current reports on Form 8-K filed since the date of the last Form 10-KSB. 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 Duska on the date hereof. Duska 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 Duska
Therapeutics, Inc., +1-858-551-5700, fax, +1-858-551-5704,
kuoj@duskatherapeutics.com
Web site: http://www.duskatherapeutics.com/
