Well, I thought this counted for something!!
I think until we know what's going to fall out from splitting the co. up, there's a little uncertainity for a while. Long-term, of course, some the co.'s products have a lot of promise, but saying patience is required is a major understatement.
Tuesday November 5 8:15 AM EDT
Genta announces patent claims allowed for antisense therapy targeted
against apoptosis gene -- BCL2
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 1996-- Genta Inc Tuesday announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for patent claims covering antisense compounds targeted against the apoptosis gene, BCL2.
These patent claims covering compositions of matter give Genta exclusive rights to target sequences in the BCL2 gene. The BCL2 gene is believed to be important in a number of solid tumor and hematological malignancies including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers. The patent claims cover Genta's proprietary Anticode molecules which target BCL2 including its lead clinical candidate, G3139.
The BCL2 gene is a proto-oncogene and a major inhibitor of apoptosis (programmed cell death) of cancerous cells. The protein produced by this gene has two known critical functions in the progression of cancer -- it makes cancer cells immortal, creating a survival advantage of malignant over normal cells and confers resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, rendering these treatments ineffective in late stages of many types of cancers.
G3139 is designed to inactivate the RNA that produces the BCL2 protein product, thereby preventing cellular production of the protein. High levels of BCL2 are associated with a poor clinical prognosis in many types of cancer.
G3139 is currently being evaluated in Phase I/IIa clinical trial in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. To date, four out of eight evaluable patients have demonstrated clinical and/or biological activity with one patient achieving a complete response (defined by the World Health Organization as disappearance of all known disease) which continues at this time 16 weeks after verification by CAT scan analysis.
This complete response is the first demonstration of an anti-lymphoma response by BCL2 antisense in humans. The trial is ongoing and is expected to continue until the maximum tolerated dose is reached.
"BCL2 has come to be recognized as a significant factor in many cancers and their resistance to conventional treatments," said
Thomas Adams, Ph.D., Genta's chairman and chief executive officer. "Thus, exclusive license to an allowed patient for this important gene target provides Genta with a key intellectual property position."
In addition to the clinical trial in lymphoma, Genta and its collaborators have conducted preclinical experiments using G3139 and other proprietary compounds, the results of which displayed antitumor activity in animal models of several types of cancer.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is currently conducting G3139 preclinical studies with plans to fund and conduct additional
preclinical, and potentially clinical, studies to evaluate G3139 against a number of solid tumor malignancies including breast,
colorectal, prostate cancers and malignant melanoma.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the ability of the company to obtain sufficient financing to maintain the company's operations, the timely development and receipt of necessary regulatory approvals for the company's potential products, and other risks detailed from time to time in Genta's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports and filings, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 1995.
There can be no assurance that the company will successfully secure collaborative funding or other sources of financing on favorable terms, if at all. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements represent Genta's judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Genta Inc. is an integrated biopharmaceutical company with a diversified product development pipeline. In the near term, the
company is seeking funding to develop, through Genta Jago Technologies B.V., oral controlled-release drugs utilizing the patented GEOMATRIX drug delivery technology. Longer term, Genta is seeking funding to develop proprietary Anticode technologies to treat diseases at their genetic source.
CONTACT: Genta Inc., San Diego
Thomas H. Adams, 619/455-2700 |
