GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Panacea Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. today has launched its CLIA compliant diagnostic testing laboratory,
Panacea Laboratories. Panacea Laboratories will provide blood, serum and
tissue tests to diagnose and monitor cancer. The first test, TK Sense,
measures expression of the gene encoding Human aspartyl (asparaginyl)
Beta-hydroxylase (HAAH) in leukocytes in patients with Chronic Myelogenous
Leukemia (CML) to identify those patients unlikely to respond to
therapeutic treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec(R)). Although the
molecular hallmark of CML is a mutation in a gene known as BCR-ABL,
mutations to the ABL portion of the gene do not reliably predict response
to Gleevec(R) therapy. Future products will include serum tests to diagnose
and monitor prostate, liver, lung, cervical and other cancers.
Panacea has discovered that expression of the gene encoding HAAH
significantly decreases when leukocytes from patients with CML are cultured
in the presence of imatinib. This decrease in HAAH gene expression level
correlates with drug response. Patients not responding to imatinib
treatment do NOT show a decrease in HAAH expression in the assay.
"Gleevec(R) has become recognized as the most effective non-transplant
treatment available for patients with CML. However, it is an expensive
drug. Costs of the drug range from $30,000 to $40,000 per year," commented
Stephen Keith, MD, MSPH, President and Chief Operating Officer, Panacea
Pharmaceuticals. "Clearly, identifying patients with a low likelihood of
responding to Gleevec(R) may avoid potentially serious adverse effects,
hasten the initiation of potentially more beneficial treatment, and save
considerable costs."
Panacea has also developed a quantitative measurement of HAAH in human
serum. Preliminary results have determined a specificity of 97% (n=230) and
a sensitivity of 94% (n=85) as indicated by significantly elevated serum
HAAH levels for a series of cancers including breast, ovarian, prostate,
colon, esophageal, bladder and kidney. The first of these serum diagnostic
tests should be available in early 2007.
Additional information about TK Sense and future diagnostic tests
available from Panacea Laboratories can be obtained via
http://www.panacea-labs.com.
About Panacea's Oncology Platform
Panacea is pursuing the development of antibodies directed against
Human aspartyl (asparaginyl) Beta-hydroxylase (HAAH) as novel agents for
the treatment of cancer with liver cancer as its first intended indication.
The Company is exploring both naked anti-HAAH antibodies, as well as
antibody conjugates with various chemotherapeutic agents as lead
candidates.
About Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately-held biopharmaceutical
company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics
and diagnostics for diseases with substantial, unmet clinical needs. The
Company's product development strategy is based on novel therapeutic agents
and approaches for cancer treatment, as well as acute and chronic
neurodegenerative conditions, such as hypoxia-induced neurological insult,
Parkinson's Disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Panacea has an extensive
patent portfolio covering its neurodegenerative and oncology technologies.
More information about the Company 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:
Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Stephen N. Keith, MD, MSPH
President & COO
Phone 240-243-8000; FAX 240-465-0450
skeith@panaceapharma.com
SOURCE Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.panaceapharma.com
http://www.panacea-labs.com
CONTACT:
Stephen N. Keith, MD, MSPH, President & COO
of Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-240-243-8000, Fax:
+1-240-465-0450, skeith@panaceapharma.com
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