FREDERICK, Md., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientists from ImQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. presented data at the International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR) indicating that the pyrimidinedione HIV inhibitors licensed from Samjin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. were highly potent candidates for development as topical microbicides to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV to women throughout the world. HIV infection and AIDS within women has been increasing steadily worldwide and according to the World Health Organization, women accounted for 46% of adults living with HIV at the end of 2005. Female- controlled chemical and physical barrier methods, including topical microbicides, to reduce HIV transmission are urgently needed.
ImQuest scientists have shown that the pyrimidinediones act to prevent the entry of virus to target cells in the vaginal environment, totally suppress the spread of virus, and synergistically inhibit virus replication when used in combination with other anti-HIV microbicides. The pyrimidinediones are unique HIV inhibitors, acting at two distinct stages of virus replication producing an effective combination therapy in the form of a single therapeutic agent, greatly simplifying drug treatment strategies.
“ImQuest is committed to expanding our stated humanitarian mission to play a major leadership role in the global effort to develop an effective female controlled preventive therapy that will result in decreased incidence of HIV transmission in the developing world,” states Dr. Robert W. Buckheit, Jr., President and Chief Scientific Officer. “We believe that the pyrimidinediones can be quickly developed to provide a much needed microbicide product to suppress the increasing rate of infection among women around the globe.”
About ImQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
ImQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leading developer of novel therapeutic agents which target under-explored disease pathways for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer and inflammation. ImQuest’s lead candidates for HIV therapy, microbicide treatment and cancer are in late stage preclinical development. It is expected that the company will initiate Phase I clinical testing on three infectious disease treatments and two cancer therapies in early 2007. More information about ImQuest BioSciences and ImQuest Pharmaceuticals can be found at the company’s websites at http://www.imquest.com and http://www.imquestpharma.com.
For further information regarding this press release please contact: Robert W. Buckheit, Jr., Ph.D. President and Chief Scientific Officer ImQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 301-696-0274 rbuckheit@imquest.com Jerry D. Cartright Chief Executive Officer ImQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 301-696-0274 jcartright@imquest.com
ImQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Robert W. Buckheit, Jr., Ph.D., President and Chief ScientificOfficer, +1-301-696-0274, rbuckheit@imquest.com, or Jerry D. Cartright,Chief Executive Officer, +1-301-696-0274, jcartright@imquest.com, both ofImQuest Pharmaceuticals Inc.
