Axys Pharmaceuticals Announces Receipt of Research Milestone From Rhone-Poulenc Rorer; Proof of Concept in Animal Efficacy Study
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 30, 1999--Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:AXPH) announced today the achievement of a research milestone in its collaboration with Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (NYSE:RP) based on the successful testing of a specific potent, selective cathepsin S inhibitor compound in an animal efficacy model of inflammation, specifically asthma.
This demonstration of efficacy has prompted Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (RPR) to seek to identify a candidate for IND-enabling studies scheduled to commence in 2000.
Cathepsin S is a member of a large family of cysteine proteases, enzymes that are responsible for the cleavage and breakdown of other natural proteins in normal biological processes. In disease conditions, cysteine proteases can often be misregulated, providing an entry point for drug intervention.
Cathepsin S has been highly associated with the processing and activation of the antigen receptor called MHC-II, essential for the initiation of both normal and pathological immune responses mediated by T-cells. Drugs designed to inhibit this enzyme could provide a novel method for control of antigen-induced response in multiple inflammatory diseases such as asthma, COPD, atherosclerosis and a variety of autoimmune diseases.
In December 1998, Axys and RPR entered into a collaboration to discover and develop small molecule therapeutics that inhibit cathepsin S. Under the terms of the agreement with RPR, Axys and RPR are collaborating on research and development of, among other things, orally bioavailable cathepsin S inhibitors for asthma, atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to this milestone which was met less than one year from the initiation of the collaboration, Axys remains eligible for a series of preclinical and clinical milestone payments for each indication.
"The successful proof-of-concept study carried out by our colleagues at RPR Dagenham Research Centre, UK, suggests that inhibition of cathepsin S may offer new treatments for asthma and other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases," commented Dr. Michael C. Venuti, senior vice president, research and preclinical, at Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "The role of cathepsin S in antigen presentation suggested it as a drug target in inflammation, in work originally pursued at Khepri Pharmaceuticals which we acquired in late 1995 and carried out both at Axys and by Professor Hal Chapman, formerly of the Brigham & Women's Hospital of Harvard Medical School, and now the University of California, San Francisco. Axys' expertise in the medicinal chemistry of protease inhibition, particularly in the cysteine protease family of enzyme targets, in collaboration with research and development groups at RPR, provided a series of candidate compounds for pivotal animal studies designed to prove the role of this target in inflammatory disease pathology."
"We at RPR and our colleagues at Axys are encouraged that an inhibitor of cathepsin S might provide new treatments for inflammation and autoimmune diseases," said Dr. Stephen Webber, Head, Respiratory Research, at RPR. "The in vivo efficacy results obtained in the proof-of-concept studies carried out using the cathepsin S inhibitor confirm the biological connection of this target to the inflammatory process. They also confirm that inhibition of the cathepsin S enzyme may provide a directed way to regulate the pathological imbalances in autoimmunity and inflammation."
Axys Pharmaceuticals is a drug discovery and development company with a proprietary focus in oncology. Axys is building shareholder value through (1) a broad and diversified pipeline of research and development programs partnered with world-class pharmaceutical companies; (2) expansion of a non-partnered research and development franchise in oncology; and (3) the spin out of affiliated businesses that leverage the company's technologies in order to provide capital for Axys' drug discovery and development programs. Axys' technology-leveraging businesses are: Axys Advanced Technologies, a combinatorial chemistry oriented business; PPGx, a majority owned pharmacogenomics company, and Akkadix, an agricultural biotechnology company.
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer is the global pharmaceutical subsidiary of Rhone-Poulenc SA, dedicated to improving human health. Rhone-Poulenc S.A. is a leading life sciences company, growing through innovations in human, plant and animal health. With sales in 1998 of US$14.8 billion (Euros 13.2 billion), the company employs 65,000 people in 160 countries worldwide.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause Axys' actual results to differ materially from those discussed here, including the reliance on the efforts of collaborative partners, the risk that this or other Axys collaborations will not be successful, the risk that clinical trials will not proceed as anticipated or may not be successful, the risks inherent in early stage development, the risk that Axys will not be successful in entering into new collaborations, competition and marketing risk, the risk of unexpected difficulties and delays in the development of new technologies and in expanding its manufacturing capabilities, and general economic conditions that may affect Axys' actual results and developments. Additional factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the sections entitled "What Factors Could Cause Our Results to Differ Significantly from Those You Might Expect?" and "Additional Risk Factors" in the Axys' SEC Reports including Axys' report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
For more information on Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., please visit the company's website at axyspharm.com.
For more information on Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, please visit the company's website at rp-rorer.com.
CONTACT:
Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
John Walker/Kathleen Stafford, 650/829-1000 |
