ENMD ENMD ENMD
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EntreMed's Thalidomide Analog Powerful Against Multiple Myeloma in Preclinical Studies
ROCKVILLE, Md., Apr 15, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- EntreMed,
Inc. (Nasdaq: ENMD), a biopharmaceutical leader in angiogenic research and
product development, today announced preclinical findings that a new derivative
of thalidomide induces sustained tumor regression in preclinical models of
multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that causes bone loss. The analog S-3APG, also
known as ENMD 0995, produced this sustained regression even in tumors from cell
lines resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Further, ENMD 0995 exhibited less
toxicity and greater anti-tumor activity than thalidomide, a drug now widely
used for the experimental treatment for multiple myeloma. The findings are
featured in today's issue of Cancer Research. EntreMed has exclusive worldwide
rights to the thalidomide analog S-3APG or ENMD 0995 through an agreement with
Children's Medical Center Corporation, Boston. ENMD 0995 is covered by U.S.
Patent Number 5,712,291 and other newly allowed and pending applications
worldwide.
(Photo: newscom.com )
Dr. Ed Gubish, EntreMed President and COO, commented, "The fact that ENMD 0995
shows greater anti-tumor activity, but less toxicity than thalidomide, helps to
move this analog one step closer to the clinic. These data also demonstrate the
progress EntreMed scientists, together with our collaborators, continue to make
as we develop the next generation angiogenesis inhibitors. ENMD 0995 is one of a
series of molecules we are developing with the potential to halt or decrease
tumor growth with limited or no side effects in patients."
Dr. John Holaday, EntreMed Chairman and CEO said, "Today's ENMD 0995 findings
validate our decision last summer to monetize our future asset from the sale of
thalidomide (Thalomid(R)) and to commit further resources to a more selective,
less toxic derivative of thalidomide. Further, the funds we received from the
sale of thalidomide have enabled us to invest further in our pipeline of
promising new angiogenesis inhibitors and to continue to move our three lead
drug candidates -- Endostatin, Panzem(TM) and Angiostatin -- through the
clinic."
In 1998, EntreMed licensed thalidomide for angiogenesis-related diseases to
Celgene Corporation in exchange for royalty payments that totaled $5.6 million.
In August 2001, EntreMed sold the future royalties from thalidomide for $24.3
million to Royalty Pharma AG, a Swiss stock corporation. Thalidomide analogs
under development at EntreMed since 1994, including ENMD 0995, were specifically
excluded from the Celgene licensing agreement.
The findings by the research team, which includes scientists from Children's
Hospital Boston, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and EntreMed, demonstrated that
ENMD 0995 has antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects without toxicity to
cells of the bone marrow or the precursors for blood cells. The team concluded
that ENMD 0995 attained superior in vivo anti-tumor activity compared to
thalidomide and induced sustained regressions in mouse models of Burkitt's
lymphoma and myeloma. Additionally, ENMD 0995 exhibited less toxicity than
thalidomide in long-term preclinical treatment groups. The complete paper
entitled "S-3-Amino-phthalimido-glutarimide inhibits angiogenesis and growth of
B-cell neoplasias in mice" is available in Cancer Research (Vol. 62, Issue 8,
pgs. 2300-2305), a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Contributing authors are Children's Hospital's Robert J. D'Amato, Michael S.
Rogers and Amy E. Birsner; Dana- Farber Cancer Institute's Suzanne Lentzsch,
Richard LeBlanc and Kenneth C. Anderson; and EntreMed's Jamshed H. Shah and
Antony M. Treston.
Multiple myeloma is the second most prevalent blood cancer and represents
approximately 1% of all cancers and 2% of all cancer deaths. More than 40,000
Americans currently have multiple myeloma, including former Congresswoman
Geraldine Ferraro. Over 14,000 new patients are diagnosed each year, with 11,000
people dying annually from multiple myeloma. The cancer is twice as common in
males as females. African Americans and Native Pacific Islanders have the
highest reported incidence of this disease. Among African Americans, multiple
myeloma is one of the top ten leading causes of cancer death. For further
information regarding multiple myeloma, contact the Multiple Myeloma Research
Foundation via Internet at multiplemyeloma.org or via phone at
203-972-1250.
EntreMed, Inc., The Angiogenesis Company(R), is a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company developing angiogenic therapeutics that inhibit
abnormal blood vessel growth associated with a broad range of diseases such as
cancer, blindness and atherosclerosis. The company's strategy is to accelerate
development of its core technologies through collaborations and sponsored
research programs with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities
and government laboratories. EntreMed has a rich pipeline of new proteins, genes
and small molecules. For further information, visit EntreMed's web site at
entremed.com .
EntreMed's majority owned subsidiary, MaxCyte, Inc., develops targeted
therapeutic products to treat severe and chronic diseases, including cancer,
serious infections, cardiovascular disease and genetic disorders, based on its
proprietary technology that uses blood cells for drug and non-viral gene
delivery. For further information, please visit maxcyte.com .
Statements herein that are not descriptions of historical facts are
forward-looking and subject to risk and uncertainties. Actual results could
differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors,
including those set forth in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings under "Risk Factors," including risks relating to the early stage of
products under development; uncertainties relating to clinical trials;
dependence on third parties; future capital needs; and risks relating to the
commercialization, if any, of the Company's proposed products (such as
marketing, safety, regulatory, patent, product liability, supply, competition
and other risks).
CONTACT: Amy Finan, Director, Corporate Communications & Industry Relations of
EntreMed, Inc., +1-240-864-2640, or +1-240-413-3300.
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SOURCE EntreMed, Inc.
CONTACT: Amy Finan, Director, Corporate Communications & Industry
Relations of EntreMed, Inc., +1-240-864-2640, or +1-240-413-3300
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