ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EntreMed, Inc. , a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, today announced the grant of a patent from the European Patent Office covering treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other non-oncology indications with its lead clinical-stage compound, 2-methoxyestradiol or 2ME2. Panzem(R) NCD and Panzem(R) Capsule formulations of 2ME2 are currently in clinical trials for cancer and 2ME2 is also in preclinical development for rheumatoid arthritis. The Company also announced the issuance of a U.S. patent covering compositions and methods involving antiangiogenic inhibitors of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI).
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The claims granted by the European Patent Office cover EntreMed intellectual property protection for 2ME2 and derivatives of 2ME2 as an antiangiogenic agent for the treatment of a broad range of non-oncology indications, including ophthalmic diseases, immune and inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis. The patent is owned by Children’s Hospital Boston and licensed exclusively worldwide to EntreMed, Inc.
Angiogenesis is an integral component of rheumatoid arthritis. Results from preclinical studies have been presented that support the potential for 2ME2 as a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). Antiarthritic activities of 2ME2 were observed in both preventive (prior to arthritis onset) and treatment studies (active arthritis). When 2ME2 was administered in the preventive setting, the onset of arthritis was delayed significantly. The beneficial effects of 2ME2 were dose-dependent and non-immunosuppressive.
U.S. Patent No. 6,946,439, entitled “Compositions and Methods for Inhibiting Cellular Proliferation Comprising TFPI Fragments,” contains claims directed to compositions comprising naturally occurring or synthetic proteins, peptides or protein fragments containing all or an active portion of the C- terminal portion of proteinase inhibitors such as TFPI. The methods involve compositions in doses that inhibit cell proliferation, particularly endothelial cell proliferation. Endothelial cells are necessary for the formation of new blood vessels in diseases characterized by angiogenesis, such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. TFPI is a naturally occurring anticoagulant protein that inhibits tumor growth and the formation of new blood vessels in preclinical models. EntreMed and Affymax, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, are collaborating on the development of novel TFPI inhibitors as clinical candidates for oncology.
James S. Burns, EntreMed President & CEO, commented, “EntreMed is focused on the development of a new generation of small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory disorders by attacking disease cells directly and the blood vessels that nourish them. These patents broaden our international IP coverage for 2ME2, our lead compound, and strengthen the position of other angiogenesis inhibitors in our pipeline.”
Mr. Burns further commented, “We have increasing preclinical evidence that 2ME2 has both antitumor and antiinflammatory properties. As an antiangiogenic agent, 2ME2 may represent a novel, non-immunologic, oral-delivery DMARD approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis. We believe that we now have the potential to expand the clinical indications for 2ME2 into both oncology (Panzem(R) NCD) and rheumatoid arthritis. Based on continuing positive results, we intend to commence IND-enabling studies this quarter, leading to an IND submission in 2006 for 2ME2 in rheumatoid arthritis.”
About EntreMed
EntreMed, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutic candidates primarily for the treatment of cancer and inflammation. Panzem(R) (2-methoxyestradiol or 2ME2), the Company’s lead drug candidate, is currently in clinical trials for cancer, as well as in preclinical development for non-oncology indications. EntreMed’s goal is to develop and commercialize new compounds based on the Company’s expertise in angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation and inflammation -- processes vital to the treatment of cancer and other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Additional information about EntreMed is available on the Company’s website at http://www.entremed.com and in various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act with respect to the outlook for expectations for future financial or business performance, strategies, expectations and goals. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and no duty to update forward-looking statements is assumed. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including those set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission filings under “Risk Factors,” including risks relating to the need for additional capital and the uncertainty of additional funding; the early-stage products under development; results in preclinical models are not necessarily indicative of clinical results, uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical trials; success in the clinical development of any products; dependence on third parties; future capital needs; and risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of the Company’s proposed products (such as marketing, safety, regulatory, patent, product liability, supply, competition and other risks).
CONTACT: Ginny Dunn, Associate Director, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations of EntreMed, Inc., +1-240-864-2643.
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CONTACT: Ginny Dunn, Associate Director, Corporate Communications &Investor Relations of EntreMed, Inc., +1-240-864-2643
Web site: http://www.entremed.com//
