Lpath, Inc.'s Anti-LPA Antibody, Lpathomab, Demonstrates Promising Data in Several Animal Models of Disease

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - June 02, 2011) - Lpath, Inc. (OTCBB: LPTN), the industry leader in lipidomics-based therapeutics, has demonstrated a pattern of strong preclinical efficacy in a variety of animal models of disease, including central nervous system (CNS) disorders, with Lpathomab™, a monoclonal antibody against lysophosphatidic acid (LPA).

In addition to LPA’s established role as a promoter of tumorigenesis, metastasis and fibrotic disease, it is a well-validated drug target and a key contributor to neuropathic pain. In collaboration with Alice Pébay and Peter Crack of the University of Melbourne, Lpathomab significantly lowered the infarct size in mice suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Also, in separate collaborations with Nigel Calcutt of the University of California San Diego and with Hiroshi Ueda of Nagasaki University, Lpathomab showed excellent results in animal models of diabetic neuropathy and nerve-injury-induced pain.

The ability of Lpathomab to provide protection against neuronal cell death in the TBI studies suggests potential activity in a range of CNS disorders where cell death is observed, including Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Lpathomab was generated using Lpath’s proprietary ImmuneY2™ technology. This drug-discovery engine provides Lpath with a platform from which to generate antibodies against bioactive lipids, opening up an entire new array of drug-discovery possibilities. About 1,000 bioactive members of the lipidome are believed to exist, but the number could be considerably larger as the study of lipidomics continues to expand. Nature Reviews stated that bioactive lipids promise to occupy center-stage in cell-biology research in the twenty first century.

It is important to note that no other company or research institution has demonstrated a similar capability to generate monoclonal antibodies against lipids and that Lpath has intellectual property surrounding the technology.

Lpath utilized ImmuneY2 to discover and advance iSONEP™, which will soon be in two Phase 2-level wet-AMD clinical trials, and ASONEP™, which will be further investigated in Phase 2 oncology trials within a year. In addition, Lpath has identified three additional bioactive-lipid targets and is in the process of generating antibodies against them.

“Our collaborative successes -- involving iSONEP, ASONEP and now Lpathomab -- demonstrate the productive and robust capabilities of our ImmuneY2 antibody technology,” said Scott Pancoast, Lpath’s president and CEO. “This technology enables Lpath to develop novel drugs with strong intellectual property and positions Lpath extremely well within the emerging frontier of lipidomics.”

“As just one example of the caliber of our collaborations,” added Pancoast, “Dr. Pébay, a recognized expert in neuronal stem-cell biology and in the role of bioactive lipids (such as LPA) in stem-cell differentiation during neuro-regeneration, recently received the prestigious Career Development Award from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council/ Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative. She also received a companion grant to continue her research involving Lpathomab in the area of neurotrauma.”

About Lpath
San Diego-based Lpath, a therapeutic antibody company, is the category leader in lipidomics-based therapeutics, an emerging field of medicine that targets bioactive signaling lipids for treating a wide range of human disease. Lpath’s ImmuneY2™ drug-discovery engine has the unique ability to generate therapeutic antibodies that bind to and inhibit bioactive lipids that contribute to disease. The company has developed three drug candidates, two of which -- iSONEP™ for wet AMD and ASONEP™ for cancer -- have completed Phase 1 clinical trials. Lpath entered into an agreement with Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) in 2010 that provides Pfizer an exclusive option for a worldwide license to develop and commercialize iSONEP. For more information, visit www.Lpath.com.

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