VERNON HILLS, Ill., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Immtech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today progress in development of its preclinical pipeline of antimicrobial drug candidates. In addition to advancing discovery programs in hepatitis C and antifungals, Immtech scientists, in collaboration with its consortium partners, have identified a unique class of compounds with significant activity in treating antibiotic susceptible and antibiotic resistant Gram positive bacterial pathogens, the so-called “super bugs”.
According to a May 2006 Episcom Business Intelligence report, the market for anti-MRSA antibiotics is expected to reach $2 billion in 2006. Screening of Immtech’s proprietary chemical library resulted in identification of a unique class of aromatic dications with potent activity against a panel of methicillin sensitive Staph (Staphylococcus aureus, MSSA), methicillin resistant Staph (MRSA) and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE), in addition to a broad range of other Gram positive aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Based on the initial analysis, a second round of testing of a more focused subclass of compounds further refined the structure-activity relationships for this new class and provided the launch point for further lead optimization and advanced testing in in vivo models of efficacy.
Norman Abood, Ph.D., Vice President, Discovery Programs, stated, “We are excited by the pronounced activity of this class of compounds. It is clear that there is an overwhelming need to develop new medicines because of growing resistance to current treatments. We believe Immtech is uniquely positioned to advance new compounds from this class through optimization and preclinical phases in preparation for testing in the clinic, where a critical need exists for new novel agents”.
Gram positive bacteria are common causes of bloodstream and other infections in hospitalized patients (nosocomial infections), and the percentage of nosocomial bloodstream infections caused by antibiotic resistant Gram positive bacteria is increasing. MRSA and VRE are of particular concern. In the United States, approximately 60% of staphylococcal infections in intensive care units are caused by MRSA, and percentages continue to rise.
The growing incidence of drug resistance is a major challenge in hospitals throughout the world. Antibiotic resistance limits the treatment options available to physicians and patients and represents an important unmet medical need for novel antibacterial products. MRSA is among the most important drug- resistant pathogens because of its relatively high incidence, limited therapeutic options, and the increased hospitalization and higher costs associated with the treatment of patients infected with MRSA. This underserved and growing market represents a significant potential opportunity for Immtech.
About Immtech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Immtech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is focused on developing and commercializing drugs to treat infectious diseases, and the Company is expanding its targeted markets by applying its proprietary pharmaceutical platform to treat other disorders. Immtech has advanced clinical programs that include new oral treatments for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), malaria, and trypanosomiasis (African Sleeping Sickness), and a well defined, expanding library of compounds targeting fungal infections, Hepatitis C and other serious diseases. Immtech holds the exclusive worldwide licenses to patents, patent applications and technology for products derived from a proprietary pharmaceutical platform. For additional information, please go to http://www.immtechpharma.com
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995:
Statements in this press release regarding Immtech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the headings “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” in the Immtech’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006 and in its other SEC filings and include: (i) Immtech’s ability to develop commercially viable products; (ii) Immtech’s ability to achieve profitability; (iii) Immtech’s ability to retain key personnel; (iv) the ability of Immtech’s scientists and collaborators to discover new compounds; (v) the availability of additional research grants; (vi) Immtech’s ability to obtain regulatory approval of its drug candidate; (vii) the success of Immtech’s clinical trials; (viii) Immtech’s ability to manufacture or to have a third party manufacture its drug candidate at a reasonable cost; (ix) Immtech’s ability to protect its intellectual property; (x) competition and alternative technologies; (xi) Immtech’s ability to obtain reimbursement from third party payers for any product it commercializes; and (xii) potential exposure to significant product liability.
Immtech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: F. C. Thompson, Immtech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1-877-898-8038
Web site: http://www.immtechpharma.com/
