CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Diffusion Pharmaceuticals
LLC, a clinical stage drug-development company commercializing
first-in-class drugs utilizing a novel mechanism of action that enhances
oxygen diffusion, today announced that one of its key advisors, Mr. Thomas
Byrne, was recently recognized as a co-inventor of the underlying
technology of Amgen's blockbuster drug Aranesp(R) (darbepoietin alpha), a
erythropoiesis stimulating agent (US Patent No. 7,217,689).
Mr. Byrne, who is an Officer of Diffusion Pharmaceuticals and a member
of its Board of Directors, has directed the worldwide intellectual property
strategy of the Company since its inception in February 2001. His
experience includes in-house counsel positions within both Genentech and
Amgen.
"We are exceptionally fortunate to have such an experienced
pharmaceutical development executive with scientific acumen and expertise
in related intellectual property law leading our worldwide patent strategy
and helping to guide the company," says David G. Kalergis, Diffusion
Pharmaceuticals' Chief Executive Officer.
About Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC
Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC is a clinical-stage drug-development
company commercializing a family of first-in-class drug candidates to treat
serious or life-threatening medical conditions. These proprietary small
molecules use a novel method of action to enhance oxygen diffusion to
oxygen deprived (hypoxic) tissue. Potential clinical applications include
critical care uses such as trauma, hemorrhage, stroke and heart attack, and
cancer as well as chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease,
respiratory disorders, anemia and peripheral vascular disease. Enhanced
diffusion of oxygen into hypoxic tissue has an important application in
oncology by improving the efficacy of radiation therapy in cancerous
tumors. The Company's first Phase I clinical trial for its lead molecule,
trans sodium crocetinate (TSC), shows the drug is well-tolerated in healthy
human subjects at doses significantly higher than the estimated efficacious
human dose. Clinical trials will begin in 2008 in peripheral vascular
disease patients suffering from intermittent claudication and in cancer
patients undergoing radiation therapy. Diffusion Pharmaceuticals, which is
privately held, is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. For more
information, visit http://www.diffusionpharma.com.
SOURCE Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC
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Related links:
http://www.diffusionpharma.com
CONTACT:
Tracey Linkous, Director of Communications,
+1-434-220-0718, tlinkous@diffusionpharma.com, or David Kalergis,
Chief Executive Officer, +1-434-220-0718,
dkalergis@diffusionpharma.com, both of Diffusion Pharmaceuticals
LLC
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