CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Xanthus Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., a privately-held oncology drug development company, today presented
data from a study in which Symadex(TM) (C-1311) was identified as a potent,
selective inhibitor of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), FLT3. The
presentation was made in a poster session at the 2006 American Association
for Cancer Research (AACR) International Conference on Molecular
Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development meeting in Chicago, IL.
Researchers from Xanthus and the Medical University of South Carolina,
Charleston, found that at low nanomolar concentrations, Symadex was a
potent inhibitor of FLT3 and that it was generally more selective for this
target as compared to other RTK inhibitory compounds that were tested.
"The findings reported today are of benefit to our development of
Symadex for the treatment of cancer and auto-immune diseases,
respectively," stated Robert L. Capizzi, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at
Xanthus. "FLT3 inhibition immediately fits into our focus on the
development of new therapies for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and our laboratory
efforts have shown that Symadex has potential for the treatment of several
autoimmune diseases. We intend to pursue both of these areas."
Dr. Capizzi continued, "Our science team has used Symadex as a platform
molecule from which other novel imidazoacridinones have been synthesized
and tested. This has created a unique portfolio with several potential
candidates that dissociate cytotoxicity from immunomodulation."
About Symadex(TM)
Symadex (formerly C-1311) is the lead compound in clinical development
from a new series of agents, the imidazoacridinones, which have shown in
vitro to be potent and selective FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Symadex is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials in oncology. Xanthus is
also exploring the use of Symadex for the treatment of a number of
autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis,
where early preclinical data has shown encouraging signs of activity.
Xanthus licensed intellectual property related to Symadex from BTG
International, Ltd.
About Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is developing a portfolio of novel,
clinical-stage, small-molecule oncology candidates through a management
team whose accomplished track record encompasses all aspects of drug
development, from discovery through regulatory approval and
commercialization. The Company is applying its expertise both to advance
its current pipeline and expand it into indications of unmet medical need
beyond oncology.
Xanthus is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts with an additional
facility in Montreal, Quebec. More information is available at
http://www.xanthus.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning
Xanthus that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For this purpose,
any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact
may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the
foregoing, the words, "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects,"
"estimates," "intends," "should," "could," "will," "may," and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are
a number of important factors that could cause Xanthus' actual results to
differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements,
including risks as to whether results obtained in early clinical studies or
in preclinical studies such as the studies referred to above will be
indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials or warrant
additional trials; whether products based on Xanthus' technology will
advance through the clinical trial process and receive approval from the
United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory
agencies; whether the company will have the cash resources to develop and
commercialize its products; and whether the patent and patent applications
owned or licensed by Xanthus will protect the Company's technology and
prevent others from infringing it. Xanthus disclaims any intention or
obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
Kari Watson, MacDougall Biomedical Communications, Inc. -
kwatson@macbiocom.com or (508) 647-0209
Lisa Terry, Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - lisa.terry@xanthus.com or
(617) 225-0522, x 105
SOURCE Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.xanthus.com
CONTACT:
Kari Watson of MacDougall Biomedical
Communications, Inc., +1-508-647-0209, kwatson@macbiocom.com; or
Lisa Terry of Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-617-225-0522,
ext. 105, lisa.terry@xanthus.com
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