EpiGenesis Announces Positive Data in Trial of EPI-2010 In Patients with Asthma
CRANBURY, N.J., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- EpiGenesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced positive results of a clinical trial of the potential efficacy of EPI-2010 in patients with asthma, conducted at Hammersmith Medicines Research, London, UK. Dr. James Mannion, President and Chief Operating Officer of EpiGenesis stated, ``A single dose of EPI-2010 substantially reduced the need of the 14 patients in this study to use their bronchodilator medicine to control asthma symptoms. What's more, this effect was both statistically significant and lasted for an entire week. This is a clear indication that patients in this study felt better, and could breathe better, for a long time after receiving a single dose of EPI-2010.''
EPI-2010 is the first of a new class of respiratory drugs called Respirable Antisense Oligonucleotides, or RASONs. RASONs apply well-established antisense technology to the lung offering the potential for a series of important medicines for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allergy. EpiGenesis is the first company to test RASONs in clinical trials.
Professor Peter Barnes, Head of Thoracic Medicine at the National Heart & Lung Institute, London, and recognized as a leading authority on asthma drugs, commented, ``An effective, once-per-week asthma drug would be a medical breakthrough. We await completion of EPI-2010's remaining clinical trial with great anticipation.'' Professor Barnes added, ``RASONs represent a completely novel, potentially revolutionary approach to the treatment of respiratory diseases that may enable the targeting of mediators of respiratory disease for which so-called small molecule drugs are not now available.''
Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan, is the exclusive licensee of EPI-2010 in Asia. Executive Director Yukio Yamamoto of Taisho said, ``We are very pleased with these initial good results. It is not common to find this level of activity for an asthma drug so early. We look forward to working with EpiGenesis to make EPI-2010 a medical and commercial success.''
Dr. Jonathan Nyce, CEO and Chairman of EpiGenesis stated, ``EPI-2010 demonstrates that this new class of respiratory medicines, RASONs, has wonderful potential. Following behind EPI-2010 will be an array of RASONs targeting all major respiratory diseases.'' He added, ``RASONs are an example of truly 21st century medicine. They are going to have a huge impact on the respiratory market, both as medicines and as tools to dissect respiratory disease pathways.''
EpiGenesis plans to sublicense EPI-2010 to a multi-national pharmaceutical company for marketing, sales and distribution throughout the world, excluding Asia. As part of its agreement with Taisho for Taisho's funding of EPI-2010 development in the U.S., EpiGenesis will share a fraction of its royalties and other profits from EPI-2010 obtained in North America and other markets with Taisho.
Worldwide rights to EPI-2010 for asthma are available for licensing, excluding Asia.
Chiesi Farmaceutici, S.p.A., is EpiGenesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. semi-exclusive licensee for EPI-2010 in parts of Europe and South America.
EpiGenesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held drug discovery and development company advancing both RASON-based and small molecule-based medicines for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and allergic rhinitis. Additional information regarding the company may be found on its website, epigenesispharmaceuticals.com. |
