GLEN ALLEN, Va., Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Star Scientific, Inc. (Nasdaq: CIGX) announced that on February 4 a provisional patent application was filed with the Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) for administering a pure form of a single isomer of anatabine, “S-(-)anatabine”. This isomer can be administered in a composition containing a therapeutically effective dose of anatabine to treat chronic low-level inflammation. Low-level chronic inflammation has become an increasingly significant area of scientific research during the past decade. Time magazine, in a February, 2004 cover story entitled “The Secret Killer The Surprising Link Between Inflammation and Heart Attacks, Cancer, Alzheimer’s and Other Diseases”, described chronic inflammation as the “engine that drives many of the most feared illnesses of middle and old age.”
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The provisional patent application discloses that S-(-)-anatabine is useful in reducing the inflammatory activity that results in elevated blood levels of inflammation markers such as C-reactive Protein (“CRP”). Inflammatory markers like CRP can be used by physicians to aid in deciding a course of treatment for an individual at risk for an inflammatory disorder or disease, as well as in determining doses of anatabine to be administered and in monitoring treatment of various inflammatory diseases. S-(-)-anatabine has the potential to be particularly useful for treating disorders involving inflammation that is associated with Nuclear Factor-KappaB (NF-kB) mediated transcription. NF-kB is a transcription factor that operates in cells and participates in the immune response. NF-kB mediated transcription is associated with numerous disorders, including those with inflammatory components, aberrant immune response and/or inappropriate cell proliferation. The provisional application indicates that the disorders which may be treated with this discovery include inflammation occurring in brain swelling or neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
Recent work at the Roskamp Institute in Sarasota, Florida, has shown that S-(-)anatabine differs in potency from the racemate and is supportive of further development of S-(-)anatabine. Curtis Wright, IV, MD/MPH, Chief Medical Officer of Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, stated, “We believe that this intriguing development holds within it the seeds of a new drug, and that this preparation of the an active isomer in a commercially viable form is a positive outcome toward that goal.”
Star Scientific also is working with McColl Partners LLC on structuring a controlled auction for bidding by pharmaceutical companies for licensing and/or co-venturing relationships. McColl previously has advised the company on a range of corporate finance matters, including the assessment of strategic initiatives involving new products. McColl Partners, an independent investment banking firm co-founded by Hugh McColl, former Chairman of Bank of America, specializes in the needs of management and owners of middle-market companies. The firm offers strategic advice and assistance to its clients regarding mergers and acquisitions.
Certain statements in this press release other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives, and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “continues,” “likely,” “may,” “opportunity,” “potential,” “projects,” “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, whether in the negative or the affirmative. These statements reflect our current beliefs and are based on information currently available to us. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements. These risks, uncertainties, factors and contingencies include, without limitation, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives through Star Tobacco and Rock Creek, the uncertainties inherent in the progress of scientific research, our ability to raise additional capital in the future that is necessary to maintain our business, potential disputes concerning our intellectual property, risks associated with litigation regarding such intellectual property, uncertainties associated with the development, testing and regulatory approvals of our low-TSNA tobacco, related tobacco products and pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products , market acceptance of our new smokeless tobacco products and nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products, competition from companies with greater resources than us, our dependence on key employees and on our prior strategic relationships with Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation in light of its combination with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Inc.
Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. See additional discussion under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2010, and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company’s other filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov. All information in this release is current as of this date, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise upon any such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
About Star Scientific
Star Scientific is a technology-oriented company with a mission to reduce the harm associated with tobacco at every level. It is engaged in the development of dissolvable smokeless tobacco products that deliver fewer carcinogenic toxins, principally through the utilization of the innovative StarCured® tobacco curing technology. Its subsidiary, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is involved in the development of nutraceuticals as well as products to address neurological and mood disorders. Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals has scientific and research offices in Gloucester, MA, and a regulatory office in Washington, D.C. Star Scientific has a Corporate and Sales Office in Glen Allen, VA, an Executive, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs office in Bethesda, MD, and a manufacturing facility in Chase City, VA.
See Star‘s website at: http://www.starscientific.com
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Sara Troy Machir | |
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301-654-8300 | |
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