CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 1997--Cypros Pharmaceutical Corp. (Nasdaq:CYPR) Monday announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on a patent application covering the use of CPC-111 in the prevention of organ-transplant rejection.
The patent covers the use of CPC-111 in conjunction with cyclosporin and demonstrates that both agents, used together, are significantly superior to individual therapy with each agent in the prevention of organ rejection. The company holds an exclusive license to the patent.
Data in the patent shows that CPC-111 acts as a novel immunosuppressant at both the cellular and organ levels and that it is capable of inhibiting the immune response associated with organ rejection to a degree similar to that of cyclosporin. In addition, the combination of CPC-111 and cyclosporin proved to be additive in their immunosuppressive ability.
Evidence is also presented showing that CPC-111 is much less toxic to lymphocytes than cyclosporin.
In commenting on the announcement, Paul J. Marangos, Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer, stated: ``We have now generated a substantial database at Cypros showing that CPC-111 may be a novel immunosuppressant with a mechanism of action distinct from cyclosporin and with far less toxicity potential.
Allowance of the current patent represents the company's first step towards a proprietary position in this therapeutic indication and provides a potential new use for this drug in transplant rejection.''
Cypros Pharmaceutical is engaged in the development and marketing of drug products for the hospital market. The company is pursuing a diversified strategy of marketing approved drugs and developing small-molecule therapeutics that protect cells from ischemic injury.
The company currently has three products on the market, Glofil, Inulin and Ethamolin. The company's CPC-111 and CPC-211 drugs are currently in Phase II clinical trials for a variety of cardiovascular and neurological disorders. -0-
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are subject to certain factors that may cause the company's plans to differ. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the company's Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996, and the ``Risk Factors'' section of the company's Registration Statement No. 333-17501.
CONTACT:
Cypros Pharmaceutical Corp., Carlsbad
David W. Nassif, 760/929-9500
or
KCSA, New York
Joseph Manzi or Adam Friedman, 212/682-6300
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICINE PHARMACEUTICAL
BW0088 JUN 16,1997
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