AGPH has one of the strongest anti-cancer programs in existance. They have a thymidilate synthase inhibitor, which few realize is also a radiation sensitizer, in phase III trials. They also have a GART inhibitor and a matrix metalloprotease inhibitor in seperate phase I trials. For the TS inhibitor (Thymitaq) and the MMP inhibitor, they recently signed an *extremely* strong agreement with Roche, where Roche funds 80% of clinical development, and strong cash flow to AGPH is complimented by retained co-marketing rights. Moreover, the deal is structured to exclude certain of AGPH's anti-cancers, so that AGPH has products of their own to sell with a sales force that can co-market the Roche stuff. The GART inhibitor, for example, is not included in the Roche deal. Several interesting molecules in pre-clinical development are also excluded. Go to agouron.com. Then go to your favorite chart site and look at the AGPH chart for the last 2 years.
PCYC? They have a product in registration, Gadolite, a contrast agent for imaging the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, they have two projects in clinical development, a radiation sensitizer and a photosensitizer. A friend (John Metcalf) tracked them down after I went looking for expertise in porphyrin biochemistry. We found, from abstracts, *the* scientist that appeared to have the most relevant porphyrin experience relating to deep-tissue photo dynamic therapy. She was in Australia when the publications came out. We tried finding her there, and tracked her to PCYC in Sunnyvale. :-)
PCYC is largely undiscovered. If you like QLT (the old Quadra Logic), PDTI or DUSA, you will love PCYC. Of particular recent interest (sorry for the formating).......
Pharmacyclics Scientists Report Site-Specific Catalytic Cleavage of RNA
with Texaphyrin Antisense Conjugates
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmacyclics, Inc. (Nasdaq:
PCYC) announced that company scientists and collaborators at the
University
of Texas at Austin have developed a method for making novel ribozyme
analogs. The discovery was presented at the 212th national meeting of
the
American Chemical Society in Orlando today at a symposium on
supramolecular
systems.
Using texaphyrin-oligonucleotide conjugates, the scientists have
produced
molecules which have the capacity to catalytically cleave RNA at
specific
sites mimicking enzymes in nature known as ribozymes.
Speaking at ACS, Darren Magda, Ph.D., program manager, nucleic acid
research, of Pharmacyclics described a ribozyme analog called Dy-Tex,
comprised of a phosphoramidite derivative of dysprosium (III) texaphyrin
covalently bound to a synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide. In contrast to
previous analogs prepared using solution-phase methods, the Dy-Tex
construct cleaved an RNA target at enhanced rates and exhibited
enzyme-like
behavior in the presence of excess target.
Richard A. Miller, M.D., president and chief executive officer of
Pharmacyclics, said, "The ability of Dy-Tex to function catalytically is
a
notable scientific accomplishment that has important implications for
the
development of antisense-based therapeutic products. The catalytic
property
could favorably affect both the safety and efficacy profile of antisense
candidates."
"Our ribozyme analog work is at the research stage at Pharmacyclics. We
believe this development demonstrates the breadth and versatility of our
core texaphyrin technology and the depth of our skills in biometallic
chemistry. Our technology may be enabling for diverse antisense therapy
strategies," Miller said.
Texaphyrins are expanded porphyrins, small, ring-shaped molecules which
bind metals, transport ions and transfer energy. Texaphyrins have an
enlarged binding ring permitting the stable binding of a wide range of
metal atoms including dysprosium (III), a metal that is capable of
cleaving
RNA. Metals are natural catalysts for many biochemical processes. The
texaphyrin ring holds the metal near or within the plane of the
molecule,
allowing free interaction with adjacent molecules, permitting the
efficient
interaction of dysprosium with the RNA target. Ribozymes are natural
enzymes used by cells to cut RNA at specific sites and, like
texaphyrins,
use metals to mediate this function. The initial development of ribozyme
analogs using texaphyrins was first reported in a rapid communication in
the Journal of the American Chemical Society in August 1994.
Scientists contributing to the ACS presentation included Shaun Crofts,
Alice Lin, Dale Miles, Meredith Wright and Richard Miller of
Pharmacyclics,
and Jonathan Sessler, Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at
Austin. Dr. Sessler invented texaphyrins and is a co-founder of
Pharmacyclics.
The statements made in this press release contain certain
forward-looking
statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual
events
or results may differ from the company's expectations. In addition to
the
matters described in this release, future actions by the Food and Drug
Administration, results of pending or future clinical trials, as well as
the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC reports,
including but not limited to, its report for Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 1996, as well as its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, may
affect the actual results achieved by the company.
Pharmacyclics, Inc. is developing patented pharmaceutical products
designed
to improve radiation and chemotherapy of cancer, enable or improve the
photodynamic therapy of certain cancers and atherosclerotic
cardiovascular
disease, and enhance certain diagnostic imaging techniques. The
company's
proprietary products are derived from its core technology in biometallic
chemistry. These products under development are based upon small
molecules
which bind metals in a unique way and are capable of capturing and
focusing
forms of energy used in a variety of medical applications. The company
has
one product in registration with the FDA, GADOLITER(R) Oral Suspension,
a
contrast agent for imaging the gastrointestinal tract, two products in
clinical development, Gd-Tex, a radiation sensitizer, Lu-Tex, a
photosensitizer, and several compounds in preclinical development.
NOTE: GADOLITE is a registered trademark of Pharmacyclics.
/CONTACT: Cheryl B. Jaszewski, of Pharmacyclics, 408-774-0330; or
Katharine
A. Russell, of Russell-Welsh, Inc., 415-312-0700, for Pharmacyclics/
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**DISCLAIMER** I own both PCYC and AGPH, and I have a vested interest in their appreciation.
Cheers! Rick |
