- Results Presented at the 22nd Congress of the European Committee for
Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis -
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Xanthus Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., a privately-held drug development company, today presented data that
Symadex(TM) reverses the clinical and pathological signs of chronic disease
in an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS). The presentation was made
by Stephen J. Karlik, PhD, Professor of Diagnostic Radiology at the
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, together with researchers
from Xanthus in a poster session at the 22nd Congress of the European
Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS)
meeting in Madrid, Spain.
Dr. Karlik used a model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis
(EAE) for the study. This same model was used by Dr. Karlik and his
colleagues for published studies with natalizumab and related molecules.
The study demonstrated that Symadex can reverse the clinical and
pathological signs of chronic disease and that it can permit nerve
remyelination. In addition, longer dosing resulted in continued benefit and
the pathological changes including inflammation and vascular abnormalities
were reversed. Importantly, Symadex did not affect circulating immune cell
numbers, suggesting that it is not a general immunosuppressive agent.
"We believe that Symadex has a distinct activity profile in the field
of MS therapies. Interestingly, we found that Symadex has no effect on the
acute, T-cell mediated portion of the disease process which is the target
of most proposed new therapies for MS," stated Alfred Ajami, PhD, Chief
Scientific Officer at Xanthus.
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 indications.
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.
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. for Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, 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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