WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OXiGENE, Inc. (NASDAQ: OXGN - News)(XSSE: OXGN), a clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases, today reported positive results from a primate study with topical formulations of ZYBRESTAT (fosbretabulin) for ophthalmological indications. The study indicates that two formulations of ZYBRESTAT, when applied topically to the surface of the eye, are absorbed and result in concentrations of drug in target tissues in the back of the eye (the retina and choroid) that are well within the expected therapeutic range. The Company believes the formulations will be appropriate for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and potentially other eye diseases and conditions in which abnormal neovascularization plays a key role. These results confirm results seen in earlier preclinical studies conducted in rabbits.
“We have now demonstrated successful delivery of topical ZYBRESTAT in three species,” commented OXiGENE’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Chin, M.D. “These data, combined with the positive results observed in our previous human proof-of-concept study, which indicated that intravenously-administered ZYBRESTAT shows activity in patients with macular degeneration, make us optimistic about the prospects for providing a patient-friendly and convenient new treatment option for many people suffering from eye diseases characterized by the abnormal growth of new blood vessels.”
Tolerability of the formulations was favorable in the primate studies, confirming data from earlier rabbit and rodent studies. Based on these results, OXiGENE plans to file an IND for the ZYBRESTAT topical ophthalmology program by mid-year 2008. The Company anticipates that data from primate and rabbit tolerance and penetration studies will be presented at an appropriate scientific forum in 2008.
In February 2007, OXiGENE announced positive results from a Phase II clinical trial of intravenous ZYBRESTAT in 23 patients with myopic macular degeneration. All patients achieved the primary endpoint of the trial, stabilization of vision. Results from the trial were reported in poster form in May 2007 at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and a copy of the poster is available on OXiGENE’s website at http://www.oxigene.com/press/publications.asp - Posters.
About ZYBRESTAT (fosbretabulin)
ZYBRESTAT™ is currently being evaluated in a pivotal registration study in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) under a Special Protocol Assessment agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). OXiGENE believes that ZYBRESTAT is poised to become the first therapeutic product in a novel class of small-molecule drug candidates called vascular disrupting agents (VDAs). Through interaction with vascular endothelial cell cytoskeletal proteins, ZYBRESTAT selectively targets and collapses tumor vasculature, thereby depriving the tumor of oxygen and causing death of tumor cells. In clinical studies in solid tumors, ZYBRESTAT has demonstrated potent and selective activity against tumor vasculature, as well as clinical activity against ATC, ovarian cancer, and various other solid tumors. In clinical studies in patients with forms of macular degeneration, intravenously-administered ZYBRESTAT has demonstrated clinical activity, and the Company is working to develop a convenient and patient-friendly topical formulation of ZYBRESTAT for ophthalmological indications.
About OXiGENE
OXiGENE is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases. The Company’s major focus is developing vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) that selectively disrupt abnormal blood vessels associated with solid tumor progression and visual impairment. OXiGENE is dedicated to leveraging its intellectual property and therapeutic development expertise to bring life-extending and -enhancing medicines to patients.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this press release may turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions OXiGENE might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to the timing and success of further preclinical studies of topical formulations of ZYBRESTAT for ophthalmological indications and the timing and ability to submit an IND for a topical formulation of ZYBRESTAT for ophthalmological indications. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in OXiGENE’s reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including OXiGENE’s reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. However, OXiGENE undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
Contact: OXiGENE, Inc. Michelle Edwards, 415-315-9413 Investor Relations medwards@oxigene.com
Source: OXiGENE, Inc.
