CRIS has many irons in the fire. OP-1 approval imminent in one of following: Australia, Europe, or USA.
summary of yesterday's webcast which was at following link:
informedinvestors.com
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By: Lisa Hayden
Sector: Biotechnology
Roseville, CA - September 19, 2000 - "The time for regenerative medicine is now, and
the window of opportunity is open," Dr. Doros Platika, CEO of Curis (NASDAQ:CRIS)
told listeners during today's InformedInvestors.com BioPharma Stocks Forum.
Regenerative medicine, as defined by Dr. Platika, involves the "study of the key
mechanisms, the key switches that control the normal growth and development of the
body." Dr. Platika said Curis is developing product opportunities that activate and
harness "the body's inherent ability to repair damage caused by disease, trauma, or
aging," thus encouraging normal growth and repair.
Pipeline drugs at Curis include treatments for a wide range of conditions, including
diabetes, periodontal disease, cancers, and Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Platika said
demographic trends should contribute to Curis's success in marketing its products. He
said an aging population "has created an economic imperative to reduce costs" and
develop treatments that enable seniors "to be independent and functional throughout their
life span."
Dr. Platika provided detailed descriptions of several Curis products. The company's most
advanced product, based on its "OP-1" platform, is designed to treat periodontal and
orthopedic indications such as fractures. The platform involves mixing Osteogenic
Protein-1 and a purified collagen matrix into a paste that is applied during surgery. Curis
is partnered with Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) for OP-1; the product is awaiting
regulatory approval in the U.S., Europe, and Australia.
A second product, Chondrogel, treats a pediatric condition that Dr. Platika said afflicts
about 1-2% of children. Vesicoureteral reflux occurs when a missing valve "allows urine
to back up into the kidney and cause infection and kidney damage." Current treatment for
the disorder involves invasive surgery, but Chondrogel, a gel developed from the patient's
cartilage cells, is injected endoscopically. The market opportunity for Chondrogel could
exceed $200 million, according to Dr. Platika. Curis announced today that it completed
enrollment for Phase III clinical testing of the compound.
Another Curis product, Vascugel, is based on technology that utilizes endothelial stem
cells from the lining of blood vessels. Dr. Platika said Vascugel would be used to inhibit
coronary restenosis, "reblockage in the blood vessels feeding the heart after coronary
artery bypass surgery." Curis believes Vascugel could have $1 billion market potential;
the product is expected to enter clinical trials at the end of 2000.
Dr. Platika said Curis's combination of stem cell technology and biomaterials "can allow
... stem cell technologies to become effective therapeutics." He also stressed Curis's use
of a "validated discovery engine that combines functional genomics and developmental
biology." He said the techniques have generated "more than 150 issued patents and more
than 225 pending patent applications worldwide." |
