SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Scios Inc. (Nasdaq: SCIO - news) announced today that it has added a new drug candidate to its pipeline that could become the first oral inhibitor of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta.
``TGF-beta is implicated in a wide range of chronic and acute diseases and our lead compounds have shown efficacy in several disease models,'' commented George Schreiner, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Scios. ``This program reflects the continued success of Scios' multi-dimensional research engine. Our research expertise combines protein chemistry, molecular informatics, computational chemistry and gene microarray with a focus on kinases as therapeutic targets. Our multiple small molecule kinase inhibitor programs target large and important medical markets.''
TGF-beta is a multifunctional cytokine, a signaling protein that is produced in a broad range of diseases characterized by unregulated scarring and eventual organ failure. Research has indicated that excessive activation of TGF-beta is involved with driving scar tissue formation, which is thought to contribute to the progressive loss of function seen in a variety of conditions. Diseases in which TGF-beta may play a role include congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver cirrhosis and kidney disease. Current therapies for these conditions treat symptoms exclusively or are only modestly effective in slowing disease progression.
Scios has developed novel and potent small molecule inhibitors that are designed to block activation of the TGF-beta receptor. They have been shown to be effective in reducing scar formation or fibrosis when given orally to animals. Scios expects to advance two lead molecules representing different chemical classes through preclinical development and is planning to announce the first medical indication for this new therapeutic class in 2003. In addition, Scios has secured exclusive rights to the TGF-beta receptor that is the basis for its development of small molecule inhibitors... |
