>>Ligand Research Published in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry: LGD-2941 Shows Promise in Treating Muscle and Bone Loss
Wednesday October 10, 1:15 pm ET
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:LGND - News; the "Company" or "Ligand") today announced that an article authored by a team of Ligand scientists will appear in the October 18th issue of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry and is also highlighted in a recent press release from the American Chemical Society (ACS).
The article, entitled "Substituted 6-(1-Pyrrolidine)quinolin-2(1H)-ones as Novel Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs)" describes the development of a nonsteroidal compound, LGD-2941 that shows promise as a new treatment for loss of muscle mass, bone tissue and other problems linked to aging.
According to the announcement by the ACS, "Ligand Scientist, Arjan van Oeveren and colleagues point out that the potential side effects of testosterone (used as) a steroid medication, limit its use to older men with low testosterone levels. The new study describes a nonsteroidal compound that attaches to testosterone receptors in cells and triggers the same desired effects as actual testosterone, in tests in laboratory animals. In comparison to other testosterone replacement treatments, the compound showed similar improvement in muscle mass and strength while having little effect on the prostate, the researchers say. It also significantly improved bone density and strength in rats."
Dr. Martin Meglasson, Ligand's Vice President of Discovery Research, commented, "Publication of this research paper on LGD-2941 in the JMC and the accompanying comments by the ACS reflect the potential for Ligand's SARMs to become improved treatment options with better safety and the convenience of oral dosing for patients with osteoporosis or frailty. LGD-2941, which is licensed to TAP Pharmaceutical Products and Ligand's second generation SARM LGD-3303 have demonstrated in animal studies an ability to stimulate the growth of new bone. This anabolic effect could be of particular benefit in the many osteoporosis patients who have already lost significant bone density and strength before they are diagnosed or who have had an inadequate response to the current standard treatment using bisphosphonate drugs."
SARM Program
Ligand has conducted extensive drug research with SARMs. In its research collaboration with TAP Pharmaceutical Products, Ligand discovered the SARM LGD-2941, which TAP is developing in a Phase I clinical trial. Ligand has rights to several SARM molecules, including LGD-3303. Ligand is formulating and optimizing a library of SARM compounds to potentially advance to clinical development.<<
This would compete with the leading SARM in development, GTx' Ostarine, in P2b.
Cheers, Tuck |
