Study Published in Molecular Biology of the Cell
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL) today announced that findings from its
study identifying the role of a E3 ubiquitin ligase known as UHRF1 in the
regulation of cellular proliferation and cellular repair was published in
Molecular Biology of the Cell, the journal of the American Society for Cell
Biology. The Rigel study shows the potential of this protein as an attractive
oncology target.
Early cellular events associated with tumorigenesis often include loss of
cell cycle checkpoints or alteration in growth signaling pathways.
Identification of novel genes involved in cellular proliferation may lead to
new classes of cancer therapeutics. Scientists at Rigel, in collaboration
with Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, isolated UHRF1
from a functional genomics screen designed to identify genes that interfere
with proliferation. They found that UHRF1 expression is elevated in
proliferating cells and primary tumors. The scientists further found that
interference with UHRF1 ubiquitin ligase function rendered cells sensitive to
the effects of chemotherapeutics, identifying a role for UHRF1 ligase activity
in cellular survival.
"We are particularly interested in the selective inhibition of ubiquitin
ligases, since it could lead to pharmaceutical product candidates with higher
specificity and lower toxicity for cancer patients," said Donald G. Payan,
M.D., executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Rigel. "The
targeting of intracellular protein degradation pathways has become an
especially attractive therapeutic strategy due to the success of proteasome
inhibitors in the treatment of multiple myeloma."
This study is part of a five-year collaboration between Rigel and Johnson
& Johnson that began in December 1998. The purpose of the collaboration was to
identify and validate novel drugtargets that regulate the cell cycle, which
controls cancer progression. Over the course of this collaboration, Johnson &
Johnson accepted eight targets that Rigel researchers discovered and
validated. Johnson & Johnson is currently moving these targets forward to
discover and develop drug candidates, which inhibit tumor cell growth or
sensitize tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents.
About Rigel
Rigel is a clinical-stage drug development company that discovers and
develops novel, small-molecule drugs for the treatment of inflammatory
diseases, cancer and viral diseases. Our goal is to move one new product
candidate for a significant indication into the clinic each year. We have
achieved this goal since 2002. Our pioneering research focuses on
intracellular signaling pathways and related targets that are critical to
disease mechanisms. Rigel's productivity has resulted in strategic
collaborations with large pharmaceutical partners to develop and market our
product candidates. We have product development programs in allergy/asthma,
rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including
statements related to Rigel's plans to pursue clinical development of product
candidates and the timing thereof and the potential efficacy of product
candidates. Any statements contained in this press release that are not
statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements.
Words such as "plans," "intends," "expects" and similar expressions are
intended to identify these forward-looking statements. There are a number of
important factors that could cause Rigel's results to differ materially from
those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including risks
associated with the timing and success of pre-clinical studies and clinical
trials, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Rigel's SEC
reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2005.Rigel does not undertake any obligation to update forward-
looking statements.
Contact:
Raul Rodriguez
Phone: 650-624-1302
Email: invrel@rigel.com
Media Contact:
Jennifer Pendergrass, WeissComm Partners, Inc.
Phone: 415-946-1070
Email: jennifer@weisscommpartners.com
SOURCE Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
-0- 11/28/2005
/CONTACT: Raul Rodriguez of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-650-624-1302,
or invrel@rigel.com; or Jennifer Pendergrass of WeissComm Partners, Inc.,
+1-415-946-1070, or jennifer@weisscommpartners.com, for Rigel Pharmaceuticals,
Inc./
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/Web site: rigel.com /
(RIGL)
CO: Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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