ARNX--from small caps online
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<<Aronex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("ARNX") is developing and commercializing therapeutics targeting cancer and infectious diseases. We believe the Company's strategy is inherently lower-risk, as ARNX is developing liposomal forms of known and proven drugs that are potentially more efficacious and less toxic. Atragen®, ARNX's lead product, a liposomal intravenous form of the orally administered drug ATRA, is being developed for the treatment of hematological malignancies (blood-borne cancers) and solid tumors. The Company filed an NDA in December 1998 for Atragen® for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and has a scheduled ODAC (Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee) meeting this September. ARNX's second late-stage therapeutic is Nyotran®, a liposomal intravenous form of nystatin, which is currently marketed as a topical anti-fungal treatment. ARNX expects to file an NDA for Nyotran® by the end of 1999. In addition to these late stage products, ARNX has a pipeline of products that includes Annamycin, a liposomal anthracycline currently in a Phase II clinical trial for breast cancer and a Phase I/II clinical trial for refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). ARNX is also developing Platar, a liposomal form of a platinum prodrug that is in Phase II trials for mesothelioma, a severe lung cancer found in those exposed to asbestos, and for renal cell carcinoma.
Corporate partnering is central to ARNX's commercialization strategy. Thus far, ARNX has partnered with Abbott Laboratories for the worldwide manufacturing and marketing of Nyotran®. Abbott made an equity investment of $3 million and has paid R&D support and milestone payments of $14.7 million to date. ARNX currently retains co-promotional rights with Abbott for the marketing of Nyotran® and is developing its own sales force to market Atragen® in North America. ARNX is seeking international marketing partners for Atragen® and other partners for development of its drugs in Europe and Asia. We recommend the purchase of ARNX for investors tolerant of the risks associated with small-cap equity investments.>>
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