ADVENTRX Presents Results at Keystone Symposia HIV Pathogenesis Conference
SAN DIEGO, March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (Amex: ANX) announced that it presented preclinical results for
ANX-201, the Company's broad-spectrum antiviral product candidate at the
Keystone Symposia HIV Pathogenesis Conference in Banff, Alberta on March
30, 2008. The preclinical results demonstrate a unique resistance profile
for ANX-201 and suggest suppression of resistance to nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), a commonly used class of drugs to treat
HIV. The HIV Pathogenesis Conference is part of the Keystone Symposia
Global Health Series, which is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation. The poster presentation entitled "The pyrophosphate analogue
thiophosphonoformic acid confers a favorable HIV resistance profile," was
presented by Shani Waninger, Ph.D., associate director for research and
development at ADVENTRX.
ANX-201 (thiophosphonoformic acid) is a pyrophosphate analog and member
of a new class of reverse transcriptase inhibitor (RTI) that is being
developed to provide benefits for treatment-resistant HIV-infected
patients. Foscarnet, the main metabolite of ANX-201, is approved by the FDA
for use in immunocompromised patients with CMV retinitis and mucocutaneous
acyclovir-resistant HSV infections. However, clinical use of foscarnet is
limited, in part due to its intravenous administration and low oral
bioavailability. In contrast, in vivo tests have demonstrated increased
oral bioavailability of ANX-201, relative to foscarnet, potentially
enabling oral delivery.
The preclinical data presented at the conference show that virus
selected for resistance to ANX-201 develop genetic mutations, some
previously described for foscarnet-resistant virus, as well as unique
genetic mutations not previously linked to foscarnet or foscarnet
derivatives. Regardless of the specific mutations, the preclinical studies
show that ANX-201-resistant virus was sensitive, and in most cases
hypersusceptible, to multiple NRTIs and non-nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). The nature of the resistance mutations
suggest that, if patients develop resistance to ANX-201, they may be
resensitized and made hypersusceptible to NRTIs or NNRTIs. The preclinical
studies also show that virus coresistant to ANX-201 and NRTI could not be
generated, which supports the mutually exclusive resistance mechanism of
these two drug classes. This suggests that patients treated with ANX-201
combined with NRTIs may be less likely to develop, or have a delay in
development of, treatment-resistance.
Activity of ANX-201 was also examined using the PhenoSense(R) assay
against a panel of clinical isolates containing viruses that had developed
varying degrees of resistance to NRTIs and/or NNRTIs. All clinical isolates
tested were sensitive to ANX-201, the majority being hypersusceptible. This
suggests that patients infected with viruses that are NRTI- or
NNRTI-resistant may be hypersusceptible to ANX-201. Clinical studies have
shown that hypersusceptibility to HIV drugs is a significant predictor of
the magnitude of HIV reduction and increase in CD4 T cells in patients who
have failed one or more previous antiretroviral regimens.
About ANX-201
ANX-201 (thiophosphonoformic acid) is a pyrophosphate analog and member
of a new class of reverse transcriptase inhibitor (RTI) that is being
developed to provide benefits for treatment-resistant HIV-infected
patients. The resistance profile of ANX-201 is unique among approved RTIs
and has been shown to resensitize NRTI-resistant viruses. In preclinical
studies, ANX-201 has shown activity against treatment-resistant clinical
isolates and demonstrated synergistic activity with NRTIs, suggesting
potential clinical benefits of combination therapy. In other preclinical
studies, ANX-201 has shown broad-spectrum antiviral activity against HIV-1,
HIV-2, human and avian influenza viruses, and herpes simplex viruses 1 and
2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2).
About ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals
ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
in-licensing, developing and commercializing proprietary product candidates
primarily for the treatment of cancer and infectious disease. The Company
seeks to improve the performance and commercial potential of existing
treatments by addressing limitations associated with these treatment
regimens. More information can be found on ADVENTRX's web site at
http://www.adventrx.com.
Forward Looking Statement
ADVENTRX cautions you that statements included in this press release
that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking
statements that involve risks and assumptions that, if they materialize or
do not prove to be accurate, could cause ADVENTRX's results to differ
materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to: the validity of research results; the risk that preclinical
results are not indicative of the success of subsequent clinical trials and
that products will not perform as preclinical data suggests or as otherwise
anticipated; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic
efficacy of ADVENTRX's product candidates and other uncertainties inherent
in the drug development process; the timing and success of clinical trials;
difficulties or delays in developing, testing, manufacturing, and obtaining
regulatory approval for ADVENTRX's product candidates; the risk that
ADVENTRX will be unable to raise sufficient capital to fund the projects
necessary to meet its anticipated or stated goals and milestones; and other
risks and uncertainties more fully described in ADVENTRX's press releases
and public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ADVENTRX's
public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available at
http://www.sec.gov.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date when made. ADVENTRX does not
intend to update any forward-looking statement set forth in this press
release to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which
it was made.
SOURCE ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.adventrx.com
CONTACT:
Investors, Ioana C. Hone of ADVENTRX
Pharmaceuticals, +1-858-552-0866
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