DBOT Demegen Receives Patent for Method for Treating Cystic Fibrosis
Monday March 17, 11:11 am ET
PITTSBURGH, March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Demegen, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: DBOT - News), a biotechnology company specializing in the development of peptides for the treatment of infectious diseases, announced today it had received United States patent 6,528,488 for a method for treating cystic fibrosis in a human with a polypeptide via inhalation.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease, which affects approximately 70,000 children and young adults worldwide. The gene defect causes thickened mucus in the lungs that creates an ideal environment for bacterial infections, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These lung infections can lead to mortality in CF patients. Demegen's P113D peptide has demonstrated significant activity against bacterial pathogens in sputum from CF patients. In November 2002, Demegen was awarded Orphan Drug designation for the P113D compound for treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Mr. Ekstrom, Chairman of Demegen, said, "This is the seventeenth patent assigned or licensed to Demegen related to Demegen's histatin-class of anti- infective compounds. These compounds are derived from human saliva and are believed to be part of the extraimmunologic defense system. Because of their unique performance characteristics, we believe these peptides could become a much-needed new weapon to fight cystic fibrosis infections. I would also like to thank the inventors, Philip Friden, Ph.D., David Rothstein, Ph.D., and Peter Spacciapoli, Ph.D. for their fine efforts."
Demegen is seeking a license partner to assist with the development of this drug to treat cystic fibrosis and other respiratory infections. The peptides described in this patent are also protected by composition of matter claims allowed in previous Demegen patents.
Demegen develops novel and natural peptides for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections. Other products to be developed include treatments for oral candidiasis, dermatological diseases, and sexually transmitted infections. Demegen's website is www.demegen.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (as amended, the "Act"). In particular, when used herein, the words "plan," "estimates," "should," "confident that," "believe," "expect," or "intend to," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward- looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, general acceptance of the Company's products and technologies, possible delays or failures to develop and/or commercialize any technology, possible risks related to adverse clinical results, impact of alternative technology advances, inherent risks in early stage development of such technology, competitive factors, the ability to successfully complete additional financings, continuing to function as a viable going-concern, and other risks described in the Company's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts:
Demegen, Inc., Richard Ekstrom, President
412-241-2150, E-mail: info@demegen.com; www.demegen.com
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Source: Demegen, Inc. |
