Friday September 8, 11:31 am Eastern Time
Press Release
Research Published in Nature Validates Curis'
Therapeutic Approach to Treating Cancer
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 7, 2000--Research published in Nature
(Vol. 406, 31 August 2000) has demonstrated that a plant-derived compound,
cyclopamine, can block abnormal cell growth associated with genetic lesions that cause
a number of cancers including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common form of human cancer. This approach may lead to a
therapy, under development by Curis, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRIS - news), that takes advantage of fundamental genetic differences
between cancer cells and normal cells.
The researchers, led by Dr. Philip A. Beachy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Howard Hughes
Medical Institute, showed that administration of cyclopamine stopped growth in cells containing genetic lesions associated
with BCC. This abnormal growth appears to be triggered by mutations in the Patched signaling pathway, to which Curis holds
key proprietary rights. Curis has licensed from Johns Hopkins rights to the use of cyclopamine and other molecules to inhibit
this pathway and is developing a family of small molecules to inhibit the cancerous effects of these genetic mutations.
``This research further validates the study of developmental biology, a core technology of Curis, as an effective approach to
developing therapeutics,'' said Doros Platika, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Curis. ``By combining basic research
in developmental biology and human genetics with more classic pharmaceutical screening approaches involving small
molecules, natural products and medicinal chemistry, one can take gene-based information to the next step of creating drug
leads, the holy grail of the `functional genomics' era.''
``Our understanding of the biological processes responsible for cell and tissue growth has led us to discover ways to affect
those processes,'' said Dr. Platika. ``In cases where growth is uncontrolled, such as in cancer, we identify how best to intervene
in those processes to halt growth. In cases where tissues need to be repaired or regenerated, we seek to activate the specific
processes leading to tissue growth.
``In fact, Curis' BCC program has moved rapidly toward the clinic,'' said Dr. Platika. ``Curis plans to file an IND to begin human
clinical testing next year for one of several small molecules we have discovered that inhibit the carcinogenic effects of the
mutated Patched gene,'' said Dr. Platika. ``We look forward to additional applications of Curis' proprietary technology base that
led to the identification of such compounds.''
Curis, Inc. is developing products based on technologies in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. The Company is
combining insights gained through the study of developmental biology with high-throughput screening capabilities, proteins,
cells and biocompatible materials to facilitate the development of new regenerative medicine therapies. For more information,
please visit the Curis web site at curis.com.
The statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties including, without limitation, risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of pharmaceutical research, product
development, regulatory approval and commercialization, the impact of competitive products, patents, patent litigation, product
liability, third party reimbursement, and other risks and uncertainties associated with the biotechnology industry and mergers
generally. For additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, please refer to the risk factors section of the
Curis joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 19, 2000. |
