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Biotech / Medical : CRIS, Curis (formerly CBMI) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SemiBull who wrote (472)	7/28/2003 7:55:55 PM
From: SemiBull	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 668

First Report of Curis' Small Molecule Hedgehog Agonists' Therapeutic Efficacy in a Model of Neurological Disease Monday July 28, 8:56 am ET CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 28, 2003--Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRIS - News), a therapeutic drug development company, today announced that two medical research groups directed by Drs. Nigel Calcutt and Andrew Mizisin of the University of California at San Diego have presented data which demonstrates that orally-available, drug-like, small molecule agonists of the Hedgehog signaling pathway can reduce damage and significantly improve neurological function in an experimental model of diabetic neuropathy. Curis, which provided the compounds for the study, has been developing small molecule Hedgehog pathway agonists for the treatment of various neurological disorders and other medical needs. Dr. Mizisin presented the report, entitled "Therapeutic Efficacy of Oral Hedgehog Agonists in Experimental Diabetic Neuropathy," on Sunday July 27, 2003 at the meeting of the Peripheral Nerve Society in Banff, Alberta, Canada. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, at least one third of diabetes sufferers are afflicted with severe peripheral neurological disorders. The ability of small molecule agonists of the Hedgehog pathway to stimulate recovery from diabetes-induced neurological deficits is consistent with earlier observations from these investigators and Curis collaborators showing that administration of the Hedgehog protein has significant benefits in models of diabetic neuropathy. Dr. Lee Rubin, Curis' Chief Scientific Officer, commented, "This is the first of what we expect will be several independent validations of Curis' small molecule Hedgehog agonist portfolio showing efficacy in different models of various neurological diseases. We, at Curis, believe that manipulation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway constitutes a significant new opportunity for the development of drugs to treat nervous system disorders." Daniel Passeri, Curis' President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "This is an important milestone for Curis. The demonstration that our small molecule agonist drug candidates are effective in promoting neurological recovery represents an important step forward in our own drug development activities. Neurological disorders are one of the most significant areas of unmet medical need in the pharmaceutical world. This report is an important milestone towards achieving our objectives of capitalizing on that unmet need. About Curis, Inc. Curis, Inc. is a therapeutic drug development company. The Company's technology focus is on regulatory pathways that control repair and regeneration. Curis' product development involves the use of proteins or small molecules to modulate these pathways. Curis has successfully used this technology and product development approach to produce several promising drug product candidates in the fields of kidney disease, neurological disorders, cancer, and alopecia (hair loss). For more information, please visit the Curis web site at www.curis.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements concerning Curis' or management's intentions, plans, expectations or predictions of future events are forward-looking statements. Such statements may contain the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates" or similar expressions. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Actual results can be affected by, among other things, uncertainties relating to product development, clinical trials, regulatory actions or delays, the ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection, changes in or an inability to execute Curis' realigned business strategy and other risk factors identified in Curis' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Curis disclaims any intention or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release. Contact: For Curis, Inc. Christopher U. Missling, Ph.D. Chief Financial Officer (617) 503-6587 or Marc F. Charette, Ph.D. Vice President, Corporate Communications (617) 503-6629 Source: Curis, Inc.