To: billkirn who wrote (303 ) 1/25/2000 10:14:00 AM From: bob zagorin Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 562
RPI Announces Hepatitis B Virus Ribozyme Patent Issuance BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("RPI") (Nasdaq: RZYM) today announced U.S. Patent Office issuance of its patent No. 6,017,756 covering ribozymes targeting Hepatitis B virus. This patent represents an important addition to the more than 100 issued patents in RPI's portfolio, and strengthens RPI's intellectual property in the viral diseases area, which is one of the RPI areas of therapeutic focus. Over 1.25 million people in the U.S. and an estimated 400 million worldwide are infected with the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) making HBV one of the most common human pathogens. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has reported an increase of new infections to 200,000 to 300,000 annually despite efforts to promote vaccinations and screening. HBV infection has been shown to lead to chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), one of the most common cancers afflicting humans. Every year in the U.S. alone, 20,000 people die from chronic liver disease. Current treatment options, interferons and nucleoside analogues, have limited efficacy, can lead to drug resistant strains and can cause severe side effects. "The ribozyme approach to inhibiting viral replication was recently applied by RPI to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV)," said Ralph E. Christoffersen, Ph.D., CEO and President of RPI. "We are pleased that this patent allows us to develop and commercialize products against HBV, and apply the insights from HCV to the process." "The application of ribozymes to the treatment of Hepatitis B represents a novel and potentially effective approach to this disease," said Myron J. Tong, Ph.D., M.D., Chief of the Liver Center, Huntington Memorial Hospital and Professor of Medicine, University of Southern California. Ribozymes are the product of Nobel Prize winning science and are synthetically engineered to act as "molecular scissors" capable of cleaving target RNA in a highly specific manner. Studies on Hepatitis C have recently been presented regarding localization of ribozymes in liver cells as well as efficacy in cell models which provide a rationale for work on Hepatitis B. Preclinical studies presented recently at the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease conference demonstrated specific inhibition of chimeric HCV-poliovirus replication in cell culture with a ribozyme mechanism of action. In addition, uptake by liver cells in mice was shown following either subcutaneous or intravenous administration. RPI, located in Boulder, Colorado, is the acknowledged leader in ribozyme therapeutic development. RPI is partnered with Eli Lilly for development of an anti-HCV ribozyme which is expected to enter Phase I clinical trials this spring. RPI is partnered with Chiron Corporation for the development and commercialization of ANGIOZYME(TM), an anti-angiogenic ribozyme designed to inhibit the growth of new blood supplies to tumors and prevent tumor growth and metastasis. ANGIOZYME is in Phase I/II clinical trials at the Cleveland Clinic. RPI is also partnered with Elan Corporation for development and commercialization of HERZYME(TM), an anti-HER2 ribozyme for treatment of breast and other cancers. This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, and actual events or results may differ materially. These risk factors include actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, technological advances, ability to obtain rights to technology, ability to obtain and enforce patents, ability to commercialize and manufacture products and general economic conditions. These and additional risk factors are identified in RPI Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in other SEC filings. SOURCE Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CO: Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ST: Colorado IN: MTC BIO SU: 01/25/2000 08:31 EST prnewswire.com