Microcide Pharmaceuticals and R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute Select Lead Cephalosporin Candidate
Prodrug Chosen to Advance in Preclinical Studies
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCDE - news) today announced that the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute (RWJPRI), a member of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, has decided to advance RWJ-442831, a Microcide-developed prodrug form of the collaboration's lead parenteral cephalosporin product (RWJ-54428), into preclinical toxicology studies. Preliminary studies in animals, conducted by Microcide, demonstrated reduced venous irritation at the injection site compared to RWJ-54428.
``We are very pleased at this decision to advance RWJ-442831, since it provides clarity and focus to our cephalosporin work with RWJPRI,'' said Jim Rurka, President and CEO of Microcide. ``A prodrug is a modified form of a drug which is rapidly converted to the active drug in the body. The prodrug RWJ-442831 has the potential to eliminate the venous irritation at the injection site seen with the lead compound during earlier Phase I testing. And, since it is converted to RWJ-54428, we would expect it to retain the in-vitro potency, spectrum and bactericidal activity observed in this compound series. Preclinical toxicology studies with RWJ-442831, if successful, would allow the compound to advance into Phase I clinical trials.'... |
