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Biotech / Medical : Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: keokalani'nui who wrote (568)	4/10/2002 6:47:33 PM
From: Miljenko Zuanic	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1169

Wednesday April 10, 7:32 am Eastern Time Press Release SOURCE: Celgene Corporation Celgene Corporation Presents Preclinical Data on JNK Inhibitors In Solid Tumor Cancers Novel JNK Inhibitors Demonstrate Significant Anti-Tumor Effects SAN FRANCISCO, April 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Celgene Corporation (Nasdaq: CELG - news) scientists presented data at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) from preclinical studies of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) inhibitors. The data demonstrate that JNK inhibitors have significant anti-tumor effects in in vivo models of solid tumor cancers. ``These findings further support our decision to accelerate our broad development program for our JNK inhibitors,'' said Alan J. Lewis, Ph.D., President of the Signal Research Division of Celgene Corporation. ``We are committed to realizing the full potential of this promising pipeline of compounds and we look forward to moving the first compound from our family of JNK inhibitors into the clinic this year.'' In the study titled ``Inhibition of Tumor Growth, Angiogenesis and Tumor Cell Proliferation by a Small Molecule Inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase,'' Celgene's novel JNK inhibitor was used to determine the effect of inhibition of the JNK pathway in cancer. Celgene's compound inhibited tumor cell proliferation and endothelial cell migration in preclinical models of breast, prostate and lung cancer. These data support a correlation of tumor growth inhibition with reduced JNK activity. Furthermore, the data suggest that Celgene's JNK inhibitors specifically and selectively block the cellular activity of JNK and therefore have therapeutic anti-cancer potential. The JNK cell-signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the onset and progression of several important human diseases because it controls the expression of specific sets of cytokines, growth factor and apoptosis genes. Celgene has an extensive intellectual property estate covering JNK genes, JNK polypeptides and proteins, expression systems for protein production, JNK screening technology, JNK targets and therapeutic uses of molecules modulating JNK activity. This patent estate comprises ten issued U.S. patents and four foreign patents through licenses with the University of California and the University of Massachusetts and patents held by Celgene. Celgene's comprehensive patent portfolio is expected to expand further as Celgene has various pending U.S. and foreign patent applications. Celgene has not licensed any rights to its JNK program to date, retaining exclusive worldwide rights for all disease indications. Earlier this week, Celgene scientists presented additional data at AACR from studies evaluating IMiDs(TM) (Immunomodulatory Drugs) and SelCIDs(TM) (Selective Cytokine Inhibitory Drugs) in preclinical models of solid tumor cancers. The data demonstrate that IMiDs and SelCIDs have therapeutic anti- cancer potential and may also enhance the benefit of other cancer therapies.