Peter, Although LGND's alliance with SBH centers on hematopoietic growth factors (mimics for Epogen, Neupogen, and Leptin), the top two clinical compounds listed by SBH in their pipeline report were a TZD and SERM (both classes of drugs synergize with Targretin and other rexinoids such as LGD1268 and LGD1324):
Tuesday April 14, 8:31 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: SmithKline Beecham
SmithKline Beecham's Expanding Portfolio of Drugs and Vaccines - 'Deep,
Diversified and Innovative'
NEW YORK, April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- SmithKline Beecham's (NYSE: SBH - news) expanding portfolio of drugs and
vaccines is ''deep, diversified and innovative and will translate into sustained growth for the company well into the next
millennium,'' SB President and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Jean-Pierre Garnier said today.
In an update to securities analysts covering an array of more than 60 new chemical entities, new indications and vaccines in
SB's pipeline, Dr. Garnier noted that ''product candidates now moving through clinical trials promise to sustain over the next
several years the steady flow of new pharmaceuticals that SB has introduced to the healthcare marketplace throughout the
1990s. The pace at which these compounds are moving through the clinic reflects SB's commitment to value creation in its
drug-development program.
''Looking still further into the future, we see unprecedented drug-discovery opportunities offered by rapid advances in
molecular biology. To secure success, we have strengthened not only our in-house capabilities, but also our network of
alliances with both academic institutions and biotechnology companies,'' Dr. Garnier said.
Product candidates currently moving through clinical trials include:
NEW CHEMICAL ENTITIES
Avandia (rosiglitazone), for treating type 2 diabetes. Avandia, a potent and selective member of the glitazone drug class,
has progressed to Phase III in an extensive clinical program intended to develop the drug for use both as first-line
monotherapy and in combination with conventional therapy. Avandia attacks the fundamental defect underlying type 2
diabetes, the resistance of cells to the action of insulin, by activating nuclear hormone receptors. In trials to date, the drug
has demonstrated sustained glycemic control without drug-drug interactions and with no evidence of hepatic side effects.
New drug applications for Avandia are scheduled to be filed in the U.S. and Europe within 12 months.
Idoxifene, a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM). Idoxifene is in Phase III for the prevention of osteoporosis
and Phase II for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Preliminary studies suggest that idoxifene favorably influences
lipid levels. Additional studies will examine the potential benefits of idoxifene in treating or preventing cognitive disorders.
In clinical trials, idoxifene has been well tolerated after up to one year of treatment with low incidence of hot flashes and
no evidence of patterns of increased venous thromboembolism or leg cramps.
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