SAN DIEGO, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sapient Discovery, LLC, and Lpath, Inc. today announced the successful completion of a collaborative study that used Sapient Discovery’s powerful computational platform to understand the binding properties of Lpath’s humanized Sphingomab(TM) antibody to its target, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P).
Humanized Sphingomab is the candidate selected by Lpath for clinical study as an agent to treat cancer and various ocular diseases. Lpath is the first to generate therapeutic monoclonal antibodies against S1P, an important bioactive lipid involved in angiogenesis and the progression of cancer.
In relevant animal models, this humanized antibody demonstrated performance far superior to the mouse monoclonal antibody featured in the March 2006 issue of the scientific journal, Cancer Cell. (See: http://www.cancercell.org/content/article/fulltext?uid=PIIS1535610806000602.) In addition, the humanized antibody was shown to have greater thermo-stability than the mouse version and approximately 20 times the binding affinity for its target than Genentech’s blockbuster drug, Avastin(R), has for its target.
“Sapient Discovery’s proprietary Genes-to-Leads(R) technology created dynamic 3-D structural models of the binding of Sphingomab to S1P,” said Kal Ramnarayan Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer of Sapient Discovery, “This has provided valuable insights for the Lpath research team, with significant efficiency and cost savings to Lpath.”
Dr. Genevieve Hansen, Lpath’s vice president of research, commented, “Sapient Discovery has an impressive computational platform for developing in- depth characterizations of protein-ligand interactions. Our collaboration with them has provided important information to confirm the selection of our therapeutic anti-S1P antibody for clinical development. It also furthers our ongoing efforts to advance the company’s pipeline of therapeutic antibodies against bioactive lipids.”
Scott Pancoast, Lpath’s CEO added, “We are encouraged by findings from this collaboration that suggest exceptional performance for our anti-S1P product, Sphingomab, in clinical trials.”
About Sapient Discovery, LLC.
Sapient Discovery, LLC., utilizes integrated, proprietary computational and experimental laboratory technologies, including large-scale comparative analysis of 3D protein target and anti-target structures, augmented homology modeling, custom X-ray crystallography, molecular and cellular biology to accelerate the drug discovery and optimization processes. The technology has been successfully applied to over 10 different targets in the past resulting in each instance in novel lead molecules to protein targets. Sapient Discovery has in-house programs in anti-infective and oncology targets and provides access to its technologies to advance the drug discovery programs of its external partners and clients in a fee-for-service and collaborative mode. In addition, Sapient Discovery is working to establish several collaborations with universities and other non-profit institutions to use their structure- based discovery technology (including X-ray crystallography) through government grants and contracts. For additional information, visit www.sapientdiscovery.com.
About Lpath, Inc.
Lpath, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, California, is the category leader in lipidomic-based therapeutics, an emerging field of medical science whereby bioactive signaling lipids are targeted for treating important human diseases. Lpath’s lead product candidate, Sphingomab(TM), is a monoclonal antibody against a validated cancer target, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), and has demonstrated compelling results in preclinical studies against multiple forms of cancers, against AMD, and against heart failure. Sphingomab(TM) is potently anti-angiogenic, yet it has other mechanisms of action that may prove advantageous in the clinical setting. Lpath’s second product candidate, Lpathomab(TM), is a monoclonal antibody against lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a key bioactive lipid that has been long recognized as a significant promoter of cancer-cell growth and metastasis in a broad range of tumor types. For additional information, visit www.lpath.com.
About Forward-Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking and reflect numerous assumptions and involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our respective control and may cause actual results to differ materially from stated expectations. For example, there can be no assurance that required clinical trials will be successful, necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained, or the proposed treatments will prove to be safe or effective. Actual results may also differ substantially from those described in or contemplated by this press release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in our operations and business environment, including, without limitation, our limited experience in the development of therapeutic drugs, our dependence upon proprietary technology, our history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, our reliance on research grants, current and future competition, and, in the case of Lpath, other risks described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
Sapient Discovery Contact: Dr. Kal Ramnarayan President and Chief Scientific Officer Sapient Discovery, LLC. 10929 Technology Place, Suite B San Diego CA 92127 Telephone: (858) 485 9101 Facsimile: (858) 485 9131 kalram@sapientdiscovery.com Lpath Contacts: Lpath, Inc. Lpath Investor Relations Scott R. Pancoast Liolios Group, Inc. President & CEO Geoffrey Plank, geoffrey@liolios.com 6335 Ferris Square, Suite A Ron Both, ron@liolios.com San Diego, CA 92121 (949) 574-3860 Telephone: 858-678-0800 Facsimile: 858-678-0900 spancoast@lpath.com
Lpath, Inc.
CONTACT: Dr. Kal Ramnarayan, President and Chief Scientific Officer ofSapient Discovery, LLC., +1-858-485-9101, or Facsimile, +1-858-485-9131,kalram@sapientdiscovery.com; or Scott R. Pancoast, President & CEO ofLpath, Inc., +1-858-678-0800, or Facsimile, +1-858-678-0900,spancoast@lpath.com; or Investor Relations, Geoffrey Plank,geoffrey@liolios.com, or Ron Both, ron@liolios.com, both of Liolios Group,Inc., +1-949-574-3860, for Lpath, Inc.
