GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
announced today that it has entered into a Collaborative Research and
Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
(WRAIR), Division of Neurosciences, Department of Neuropharmacology and
Molecular Biology under the direction of Frank C. Tortella, PhD.
Under the CRADA, Panacea and WRAIR will evaluate the efficacy, toxicity,
and mechanism of action of PAN-811 and its derivatives as neuroprotectants for
global and focal ischemia. The scope of work includes examination of these
compounds in an animal model of transient focal brain ischemia to evaluate in
vivo efficacy and toxicity as a part of pre-clinical studies.
"This CRADA with WRAIR will allow us to quickly assess the efficacy and
biological relevance of PAN-811 and its derivatives for conditions linked to
cerebral ischemia such as stroke and head injury," stated Bijan Almassian,
PhD, Chief Operating Officer of the Company.
The Company developed and utilized several cell-based screening assays
modeling ischemic neuronal cell death to identify PAN-811, a bioavailable
small molecule that displays potent neuroprotection in our assays. The exact
mechanism of action of PAN-811 remains unclear and is one aspect of the
proposed work.
Panacea will draw on WRAIR's expertise and capabilities to investigate
apoptotic neuronal cell death, determine genomic response to brain injury,
understand post-translational mechanisms underlying response to trauma, define
specific biomarkers of brain injury, and understand electrophysiological
consequences of brain injury and functional recovery.
Ischemia-related diseases encompass a large group of maladies and
associated syndromes resulting from neuronal cell death subsequent to
ischemia. The clinical significance of cerebral ischemia is compounded by the
lack of effective neuroprotective treatments that directly inhibit ischemic
neuronal death. Therefore, discovery and development of neuroprotectants is a
priority in the prevention and treatment of ischemic-related disease.
About the Department of Neuropharmacology and Molecular Biology
The mission of this department is to study the molecular and cellular
mechanisms promoting brain injury and to develop strategic insights toward
developing novel therapeutic treatments for improving survival and recovery of
the brain injured soldier and patient. Their research program uses a multitude
of advanced research technology to study this critical care problem from the
cellular gene level to the whole organism. The emphasis and direct focus of
their efforts is on neuroprotection, and acquiring critical knowledge that
will directly impact on the therapeutic treatment of head injured soldiers
during the course of far forward medical care and evaluation.
A multi-disciplined research approach has been established and implemented
to accomplish this task. Their department wide neuronal injury and
neuroprotection research efforts are directed not only towards head injuries
caused by combat-related penetrating missile wounds, but also brain injuries
potentially associated with biological and/or chemical neurotoxin exposures.
Their comprehensive neuroprotection research program utilizes in vitro and
in vivo rat brain injury models to study the pharmacodynamics of potential
therapeutics, inclusive of comprehensive dose-response and therapeutic window
evaluations of short- and long-term recovery following experimental brain
injury. Current outcome measures of neuroprotection include quantitative
histopathology, immunohistochemistry, EEG spectral analysis, and high-
resolution topography, physiological monitoring, and neurological assessments.
The department has conducted CRADAs with several pharmaceutical companies,
including Roche Biosciences, Guilford Pharmaceuticals, Millenium
Pharmaceuticals, and Cognetix, which have led to the preclinical discovery of
several novel neuroprotective agents.
About WRAIR
WRAIR is the largest, most diverse, and oldest laboratory in the US Army
Medical Research and Materiel Command. It conducts research on a range of
militarily relevant issues, including naturally occurring infectious diseases,
combat casualty care, operational health hazards, and medical defense against
biological and chemical weapons. WRAIR is the Department of Defense's lead
agency for infectious disease research and a crucial source of research
support for medical product development. WRAIR's primary customers are the US
Army, whose requirements drive WRAIR's research agenda, and the other US Armed
Forces.
About Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company
focused on utilizing functional genomics and proteomics to develop
therapeutics and diagnostics for diseases with substantial unmet clinical
need. The Company's product development focus is on novel proteins and
biochemical pathways related to cellular regulation and cell cycle
abnormalities in oncology as well as both acute and chronic neurodegenerative
conditions such as hypoxia-induced cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease,
and Alzheimer's disease.
More information is available at http://www.PanaceaPharma.com.
Except for historical information presented in this press release, matters
discussed herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-
looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management only
as of the date of this release and are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any
future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not
limited to, uncertainties related to our access to capital, the progress,
costs, and results of any clinical trials undertaken by us, progress of our
research and development projects, and uncertainties related to whether our
product candidates would ultimately achieve commercial success. We do not
undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise unless
required by law.
CONTACT: Kasra Ghanbari, President, of Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
+1-240-243-8000 x108; Fax: +1-240-465-0450, or Kasra@PanaceaPharma.com.
SOURCE Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.panaceapharma.com
CONTACT:
Kasra Ghanbari, President, of Panacea
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-240-243-8000 x108; Fax:
+1-240-465-0450, or Kasra@PanaceaPharma.com
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