Key Antigen in Rheumatoid Arthritis Identified; Therapeutics in Development By Organon, Anergen
===========================================================
Published in Arthritis and Rheumatism
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at NV Organon in The Netherlands have identified a key antigen which may have potential in developing specific, potent therapeutics for rheumatoid arthritis. Results from preclinical studies identifying this target protein were published today in the June 1997 issue of the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism.
Researchers demonstrated that HC (Human Cartilage) gp-39 is recognized by T cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients. T cell immunity against HC gp-39 in mice is associated with arthritis. The HC gp-39 protein has the potential to block arthritis in the mouse model. This antigen is a central component in a therapeutic being developed for Organon by Anergen, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANRG) using its proprietary AnergiX(TM) technology.
Historically, specific antigens involved in rheumatoid arthritis have been difficult to isolate. Identification of a candidate peptide from such an antigen would be an important step in development of therapeutics to treat the cause of this disease, rather than just the symptoms. As described in today's publication, the research team at Organon was the first to identify and characterize a peptide from HC gp-39 believed to be involved in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
Anergen's AnergiX technology combines disease-specific auto-antigenic peptides and disease-associated HLA-derived proteins -- two of the three elements that activate T cells. AnergiX-based compounds are designed to bind to and deactivate the disease-specific T cells. Anergen and Organon initiated a collaborative effort in June 1996, combining their respective AnergiX and HC gp-39 technologies in the development of a new therapeutic.
"When Organon identified this important peptide, they determined that its best therapeutic application was in conjunction with the AnergiX technology," said Barry Sherman, M.D., Anergen's President and Chief Executive Officer.
"AnergiX-based compounds for four major autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Type I diabetes (IDDM) and myasthenia gravis are now in clinical and preclinical development. Today's publication, which identifies HC gp-39 as Organon's target for the first time, is a significant event in our mutual search for new RA therapeutics."
Continuing preclinical studies on HC gp-39 and Anergen's technologies currently in clinical development were presented last month at the Fourth International Symposium on Immunotherapy of Arthritic Disease in Cyprus by both Ton Rijnders, Ph.D., Organon's Head of the Department of Immunology, a study participant and Jeffrey L. Winkelhake, Ph.D., Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development at Anergen.
Dr. Rijnders described the development of animal and in vivo models for evaluating the HC gp-39 peptide, while Dr. Winkelhake described analytical approaches used to evaluate the biologic effects of Anergen's products currently in clinical trials.
Organon is one of the pharmaceutical business units of Akzo Nobel. Akzo Nobel, headquartered in The Netherlands, is one of the world's leading companies in selected areas of chemicals, coatings, healthcare products, and fibers. Approximately 70,000 people in over 50 countries make up the Akzo Nobel workforce.
Anergen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on advancing the treatment of autoimmnune diseases. It is developing proprietary biopharmaceutical compounds designed to selectively interrupt antigen presentation or inactivate T cells in the immune system that mediate the disease process. Anergen is headquartered in Redwood City, Ca.
NOTE: Certain statements in this press release may be forward-looking statements, including the potential effectiveness of HC gp-39 and AnergiX, and are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and therefore the Company's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences are detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year 1996 and the reports filed on Form 10-Q each quarter.
SOURCE Anergen Inc.
-0- 06/03/97
/CONTACT: Jeffrey Winkelhake, Ph.D., Vice President, Pharmaceutical Development of Anergen Inc., 415-361-8901; or Mrs. H. van Leeuwe-Bak of NV Organon, 31-412-662947, or fax, 31-412-662568/ |
