ABBOTT PARK, Ill. and MADISON, Wis., July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) and Deltanoid Pharmaceuticals Inc., a
privately held company based in Madison, Wis., today announced the completion
of an option and license agreement to develop novel Vitamin D Receptor
Activators (VDRAs) for the treatment of renal disease.
"This agreement reflects Abbott's continuing commitment to cutting-edge
science that helps patients with kidney disease," said Eugene Sun, M.D.,
divisional vice president, global pharmaceutical development, Abbott
Laboratories. "Abbott pioneered the clinical development and
commercialization of therapies targeting vitamin D receptor activation for the
treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney
failure, which were discovered by Hector F. DeLuca, Ph.D., DSc, professor and
chair of the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin -
Madison. These therapies have now become the standard of care."
The new agreement continues a 20-year partnership between Abbott, Dr.
DeLuca (now president and chief executive officer of Deltanoid), and the
University of Wisconsin to discover, develop, and commercialize innovative
vitamin D therapies for patients with kidney disease. A growing body of
research is beginning to establish the fundamental role of vitamin D receptor
biology in human health and disease.
The agreement provides Abbott with rights to license, develop and
commercialize a new generation of VDRAs. Preclinical studies conducted by
Deltanoid suggest that these investigational compounds, developed by Dr.
DeLuca, may have an optimal profile to help address the future needs of the
growing population of patients with kidney disease.
"The agreement between Deltanoid and Abbott reinforces the value of
Deltanoid's active vitamin D therapies in treating disease. Vitamin D Receptor
Activation is a primary method of treating secondary hyperparathyroidism
associated with chronic kidney failure, and Abbott is the pioneer and market
leader in this area," said Dr. DeLuca. "This collaboration will allow
Deltanoid to move these new compounds forward with one of the most experienced
and effective partners in the field of renal disease. Abbott's extensive
resources and world-class expertise in this field make them an ideal partner
for this effort, and we look forward to continuing to work with them."
Under the terms of the agreement, Abbott will make an undisclosed upfront
payment to Deltanoid. The agreement also includes milestone payments
contingent upon meeting specified objectives, as well as royalties on future
sales of marketed compounds.
About Renal Disease
Healthy kidneys are essential for the conversion of vitamin D into its
active form, known as calcitriol. Calcitriol is required for the normal
function of many organs and systems throughout the body. As kidney disease
progresses, patients lose the ability to produce calcitriol, which leads to
many metabolic imbalances and complications, including elevated parathyroid
hormone levels (a condition known as secondary hyperparathyroidism), abnormal
calcium and phosphorus levels, and bone disease (renal osteodystrophy).
Approximately 300,000 patients have end-stage renal disease and require
dialysis (Stage 5 kidney disease). More than 20 million Americans suffer from
early to late-stage kidney disease, according to the National Kidney
Foundation. That figure is rising with increased incidences of diabetes and
hypertension, the major diseases leading to kidney disease. New scientific
evidence and treatment guidelines recently published by the National Kidney
Foundation are changing the way doctors approach early stage kidney disease
and emphasize the importance of identification and treatment earlier in the
progression of the disease. As a result, the global market for vitamin D
compounds used in renal patients is expected to grow to more than $2 billion
by the end of the decade.
About Deltanoid
Deltanoid Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in
research, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the
treatment of human diseases. The company was founded to advance the
development of select, patented vitamin D and other compounds developed at the
University of Wisconsin - Madison and licensed from the Wisconsin Alumni
Research Foundation. Deltanoid's focus is to develop selected therapies
through early phases of the drug-development process and seek partners for
later-stage development and commercialization. The agreement with Abbott is
the third such partnership between Deltanoid and a pharmaceutical company
since Deltanoid began operations in 2001. Two compounds developed by
Deltanoid are currently in clinical testing.
Deltanoid founder, Hector F. DeLuca was named Ernst and Young Wisconsin
Entrepreneur of the Year(R) for 2004, in recognition of the success of
Deltanoid Pharmaceuticals.
About Abbott Renal Care
Abbott Laboratories has been involved in the treatment of certain
complications associated with renal disease for more than 25 years. Abbott
currently markets Zemplar(R) (paricalcitol injection) for the prevention and
treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney
failure. Initially introduced in 1998, Zemplar is currently used to treat a
majority of dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism in the United
States. Abbott is currently investigating the use of an oral formulation of
Zemplar in patients with earlier stages of chronic kidney disease.
Product Indication and Important Safety Information
Zemplar is indicated for the prevention and treatment of secondary
hyperparathyroidism associated with chronic renal failure.
As observed in Phase II and III clinical trials, adverse effects with
greater than 5 percent frequency with Zemplar versus placebo, regardless of
causality, were nausea (13 percent versus 8 percent), vomiting (8 percent
versus 4 percent), and edema (7 percent versus 0 percent). Zemplar is
contraindicated in patients with vitamin D toxicity, hypercalcemia, or
hypersensitivity to product ingredients. Administration may place patients at
risk for hypercalcemia, elevated Ca x P product, and metastatic calcification.
For full prescribing information on Zemplar visit
http://www.abbottrenalcare.com .
About Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories is a global, broad-based health care company devoted
to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals
and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The
company employs more than 55,000 people and markets its products in more than
130 countries.
Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the
company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com .
| |
SOURCE Abbott Laboratories
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.abbott.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/110328.html
CONTACT:
Media, Jonathon Hamilton, +1-847-935-8646, or
Elizabeth Hoff, +1-847-935-4236, or Financial Community, Larry
Peepo, +1-847-935-6722, all of Abbott Laboratories, or Andrew
Cohn of Deltanoid Pharmaceuticals, +1-608-263-2821
| |
|
