Here's the second one:
Allergan Ligand Retinoid Therapeutics, Inc. Announces Three
Potential New Clinical Candidates Presentations Today At Hambrecht &
Quist
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan Ligand Retinoid
Therapeutics, Inc. (ALRT) (Nasdaq: ALRIZ) presented scientific
information today on three advanced preclinical compounds from the
ALRT pipeline at least two of which are expected to be designated as
clinical candidates during 1997.
"ALRT268 (an RXR selective agonist), an RAR alpha agonist, and
an RAR antagonist are all advancing swiftly through advanced
pre-clinical evaluation, and we expect to make decisions selecting
at least two of the three compounds this year to go into human
trials in 1998," according to Marvin E. Rosenthale, Ph.D., ALRT
President, who presented today at the 15th Annual Hambrecht & Quist
Healthcare Conference.
Scientists previously have discovered that there are six
retinoid receptors in two subfamilies. The Retinoic Acid Receptors
(RARs), alpha, beta, and gamma, are intracellular receptors (IRs)
that mediate a variety of critical cellular activities, including
cell proliferation and differentiation. The RXRs (Retinoid X
Receptors) are IRs that also mediate a variety of critical cellular
activities, including regulation of programmed cell death called
apoptosis and regulation of metabolism. Compounds which can
selectively stimulate specific subsets of retinoid receptors have
been shown to have promise as potential therapeutics that can
deliver significant clinical benefits.
"Based on results from animal studies, we believe ALRT268 has
potential in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM or human
type II diabetes)," Dr. Rosenthale said.
Using two mouse models of NIDDM (the db/db mouse and ob/ob
mouse), ALRT268 was compared to treatment with a thiazolidinedione
(TZD) which is a member of a new class of investigational
anti-diabetes drug and a control group (15 animals in each group.)
The animals were treated daily with ALRT268 over 14 consecutive
days, and glucose, triglycerides and insulin levels were monitored
throughout the duration of the treatment.
* ALRT268 significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose
by 40%, triglycerides by 45% and insulin by 60%, at the termination
of the study.
* ALRT268 maintained the antidiabetic activity during the
course of therapy.
* ALRT268, as a single agent, was as effective as a second
generation TZD.
* ALRT268 demonstrated additive therapeutic effects when
administered with TZD.
* ALRT268 was well tolerated throughout the treatment period.
NIDDM is a metabolic disorder affecting primarily adult
individuals and is characterized by profound changes in glucose
regulation and a cascade of associated hormonal and metabolic
disturbances. Elevated levels of glucose (hyperglycemia) and
triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) as well as increases in insulin
(hyperinsulinemia) levels due, at least in part, to the ensuing
insulin resistance are part of the metabolic profile seen in these
patients. ALRT268 acts as an insulin sensitizer leading to a
significant reduction in hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and
hyperinsulinemia in animal models of NIDDM.
"This quarter, ALRT will also decide on the clinical potential
of a topical RAR antagonist which is a potential compound for use as
treatment or prevention of systemic retinoid induced mucocutaneous
toxicity," Dr. Rosenthale said. "We have a good lead candidate
which functions as a potent antagonist to RAR agonist activity.
This is important because the most notable side effects of currently
marketed retinoids with sales in excess of $400 million such as
all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), 13 cis-retinoic acid etc. appear to
be associated with activating the RAR subfamily.
"Finally, ALRT expects to make a decision during 1997 about the
human clinical potential of an RAR alpha selective agonist. In
vitro studies have indicated that the RAR alpha compound has a high
degree of selectivity for receptors inhibiting proliferation in
human leukemias and breast cancer cell lines. This compound does
not stimulate other receptor subtypes (RAR beta/gamma) which are
responsible for undesirable side effects such as mucocutaneous and
bone toxicity," Dr. Rosenthale explained.
These three compounds are ALRT's proprietary retinoid-based
compounds. Allergan Ligand Retinoid Therapeutics, Inc. was formed in
1994 to discover and develop drugs based on retinoids. Retinoids
have a broad range of biological actions, and evidence suggests they
may be useful in the treatment of a variety of cancers including
leukemias and certain metabolic, skin and eye diseases. The
Company's lead product, topical Panretin(TM) Gel (ALRT1057), a
retinoid receptor pan-agonist, is in pivotal Phase III clinical
trials for the treatment of cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma (KS).
Pivotal Phase II/III clinical trials for the treatment of acute
promyelocytic leukemia are being launched for oral Panretin
Capsules. International Phase II clinical trials for the treatment
of various cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (in Canada and
the U.S. in combination with interferon alpha), non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, KS, and
breast cancer as well as myelodysplastic syndrome are also being
conducted with Panretin Capsules. Phase II trials are also being
conducted for benign indications in psoriasis and proliferative
vitreoretinopathy (PVR) with Panretin Capsules.
This press release contains certain forward looking statements
by ALRT and actual results could differ materially from those
described as a result of factors including, but not limited to, the
following. There can be no assurance: (a) that the preclinical
results described herein will be observed in patients (b) that
these or any new products under development by ALRT will receive
approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other
authorities to market any of these products or (c) that, if
approved, there will be a commercial market for the products.
NOTE: If you would prefer to receive Ligand's press releases
via email, please inform us at investors@ligand.com and request to
be placed on our priority email list.
SOURCE ALRT
-0- 1/7/97
/CONTACT: Susan E. Atkins, Vice President, Corporate Communications
and Investor Relations of Ligand Pharmaceuticals, 619-550-7687/
/ALRT press releases are available through Company News On-Call
by fax, 800-758-5804, extension 509313, or at
prnewswire.com |
