Novel System May Provide Cancer Patients With Improved Potential to Battle
Their Disease
PASADENA, Calif., April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Insert Therapeutics, Inc., a
majority-owned subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corporation (Nasdaq: ARWR)
announced today its novel delivery system called Cyclosert(TM) will be
featured in a poster presentation at the 2007 American Association for
Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting. In particular, this poster includes
new research findings on a promising anticancer therapy that is currently
under development.
Cyclosert is the first nanoparticle drug transport platform to be
designed de novo and synthesized specifically to overcome limitations in
existing technologies used for the systemic transport of therapeutics to
targeted sites within the body. Based on small cyclic repeating molecules
of glucose called cyclodextrins, Cyclosert promotes the ability of
cytotoxic drugs to inhibit the growth of human cancer cells while remaining
non-toxic and non-immunogenic at therapeutic doses. In particular, the
system is designed to keep the drugs non-toxic until they actually reach
the targeted tumor cells where the active drug is released in a controlled
fashion.
The investigational drug discussed in the research, which Insert
Therapeutics is developing in collaboration with German-based R&D
Biopharmaceuticals, uses the Cyclosert system to deliver a potent
anticancer agent called tubulysin A. Tubulysin A is a naturally occurring
substance produced by myxobacteria. It is highly active against many types
of cancer cells, targeting the cellular structures called microtubules,
which play a crucial role in cell division. Used by itself, tubulysin A is
an effective antitumor agent, but it is also highly toxic. By combining it
with the Cyclosert transport system, researchers are aiming to make it
non-toxic while preserving its antitumor activity.
In vitro studies showed the tubulysin-Cyclosert conjugate to be
effective against multiple human cancer cell lines. The conjugate was found
to be stable and 100 times more water soluble than the free drug. As the
study's Lead Researcher, Thomas Schluep, Sc.D., Chief Scientific Officer at
Insert Therapeutics emphasized, "Water solubility is essential for
efficient delivery of drugs through the bloodstream. Tubulysin A is already
better than many comparable agents in this respect, but in conjugation with
Cyclosert, solubility improves dramatically."
In trials on animals, the tubulysin-Cyclosert conjugate was well
tolerated, in contrast to tubulysin A alone, which was highly toxic and
caused 50% mortality. The conjugate was also compared to vinblastine, an
agent with a similar mechanism of action to tubulysin A. Vinblastine was
found to be significantly less effective as an antitumor agent.
Testing and development is ongoing for the drug.
About Insert Therapeutics Inc.
Insert Therapeutics, Inc. (http://www.insertt.com), a majority-owned
subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corporation (Nasdaq: ARWR), is using its
proprietary, nano-engineered, polymeric delivery system, Cyclosert(TM), to
design, develop and commercialize drug-delivery-enhanced small-molecule
therapeutics and nucleic acids. Cyclosert uses cyclodextrins as building
blocks to create an entirely new class of biocompatible materials -- linear
cyclodextrin-containing polymers that are non-toxic and non-immunogenic at
therapeutic doses. Insert's affiliate company, Calando Pharmaceuticals, is
using a related system for the systemic delivery of siRNA. The companies
are pursuing this goal through internal research and development, and also
through collaborations and partnerships with pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies.
About Arrowhead Research Corporation
Arrowhead Research Corporation (http://www.arrowheadresearch.com) (Nasdaq:
ARWR) is a leading nanotechnology company commercializing new technologies
in the areas of life sciences, electronics, and energy. The company works
closely with universities to source early stage deals and to generate
rights to intellectual property covering promising new nanotechnologies.
Currently, Arrowhead has four subsidiaries commercializing nanotech
products and applications, including anti-cancer drugs, RNAi therapeutics,
carbon-based electronics and compound semiconductor materials.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995:
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current
expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may
differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking
statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the
recent economic slowdown affecting technology companies, the future success
of our scientific studies, our ability to successfully develop products,
rapid technological change in our markets, changes in demand for our future
products, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments and general
economic conditions. Our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and
forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Forms
8-K, our Registration Statements on Form S-3, and other SEC filings discuss
some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of
operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or
update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
SOURCE Insert Therapeutics, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.insertt.com
CONTACT:
Robert Marshall of Insert Therapeutics, Inc.,
+1-925-570-3425, rmarshall@insertt.com
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