BOSTON, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Surface Logix, Inc. announced today
that SLx-4090, a clinical-stage compound, has been selected as one of the
top ten most licensable cardiovascular therapeutics in development,
offering significant potential for strategic partnering. SLx-4090 is a
first-in-class enterocyte-specific microsomal triglyceride transfer protein
(MTP) inhibitor being developed for the treatment of dyslipidemia (abnormal
levels of lipids in the bloodstream) and obesity. The selection was made by
an independent committee assembled by Windhover Information, a leading
provider of business information products and services to senior executives
in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. As a
selected company, Surface Logix has been invited to present data on
SLx-4090 on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at Windhover's Therapeutic Area
Partnerships conference being held in Philadelphia, PA.
"Selected companies have been screened using a strict set of judging
criteria for the top ten award, and represent what our committee considered
the most attractive cardiovascular licensing opportunities the industry has
to offer," stated Roger Longman of Windhover Information.
"It is an honor to be chosen by this respected group of industry
professionals, and we welcome the independent validation of SLx-4090," said
Jim Mahoney, Surface Logix President and Chief Executive Officer. "We will
be completing a Phase 2a trial this quarter, and preliminary data continue
to show that within only 14 days, administration of SLx-4090 results in
reductions in LDL levels, postprandial triglyceride levels and body weight,
while avoiding any of the toxicities seen with systemic MTP inhibitors."
The selection committee was led by Marc Wortman, PhD, contributing
writer to Windhover's IN VIVO and Start Up, and Ed Saltzman, president of
Defined Health, a leading business development strategy consulting firm.
Drawing on the analytic resources of both organizations, the group
evaluated hundreds of compounds currently in development for the treatment
of cardiovascular disease prior to selecting SLx-4090 among the top ten
most attractive.
The evaluation measured a number of factors including:
-- Unmet medical need
-- Market potential
-- Multi-level partnering opportunities (biotech and pharma)
-- Potential for new opportunities beyond initial indications
-- Diversity of indications
-- History of the molecule and drug
-- Strong science
-- Strong company
About SLx-4090 in Dyslipidemia
SLx-4090 is a novel microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP)
inhibitor being developed for the treatment of dyslipidemia (abnormal
levels of lipids in the bloodstream). Surface Logix designed SLx-4090 using
its proprietary small molecule Pharmacomer(TM) technology to act
specifically in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent the transport of
fats through the intestinal wall. This unique feature of intestinal
selectivity allows potent activity against fat uptake while avoiding
toxicity at other sites of MTP expression in the body including the liver,
heart, testis, ovary, and eye.
Dyslipidemia currently affects approximately 10% of the global
population, with 25% of these patients having elevated triglyceride levels.
In addition, there is an increasing prevalence and medical need for
lipid-modifying drugs in obese patients and patients with type 2 diabetes,
as a high proportion of type 2 diabetic patients have abnormal
concentrations of lipoproteins. In the U.S., Japan and Europe, it is
estimated that there are more than 240 million people with abnormal
lipoprotein levels. Of these, more than 55 million are estimated to have
low high density lipoprotein (HDL) and/or high triglyceride levels.
About Surface Logix, Inc.
Surface Logix Inc. uses its expertise in biophysical chemistry to
create and develop novel small molecule drugs (NCEs) with superior
intrinsic drug- like properties that are clearly differentiated from
competitive products. The company is advancing multiple internal programs
focused primarily on cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory and fibrotic
diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.surfacelogix.com.
Contact:
Leland Webster, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Surface Logix Inc.
Vice President, Corporate Development
617.746.8520
Media:
Sarah Cavanaugh
MacDougall Biomedical Communications, Inc.
scavanaugh@macbiocom.com
508.647.0209
SOURCE Surface Logix, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.surfacelogix.com
CONTACT:
Leland Webster, Ph.D., M.B.A., Vice
President, Corporate Development of Surface Logix Inc.,
+1-617-746-8520; or Media, Sarah Cavanaugh of MacDougall
Biomedical Communications, Inc., +1-508-647-0209,
scavanaugh@macbiocom.com, for Surface Logix, Inc.
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