TARRYTOWN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 1998--In the current
issue of Science, scientists from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(NASDAQ:REGN) report that Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), a proprietary
Regeneron growth factor, promotes blood vessel formation in animals
and thus may have therapeutic application in promoting angiogenesis.
The research was conducted by Regeneron in collaboration with Dr.
Thomas N. Sato of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
at Dallas and Dr. Gavin Thurston and Dr. Donald M. McDonald of the
University of California at San Francisco.
All the tissues of the body depend on a robust blood supply for
nourishment and sustenance. Disruption of the normal blood supply, for
example, can lead to an oxygen-starved heart at risk for myocardial
infarction, or to painful and ischemic limbs that can cause suffering
in diabetics. Lack of blood flow can also prevent wound healing,
leading to ulcerations and infections. Restoring or growing blood
vessels in such settings could have therapeutic benefit.
Before Regeneron's discovery of the Angiopoietin family, of which
Ang1 is a member, only one other family of growth factors specific for
blood vessels had been defined and characterized. This family, known
as the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family, works via
receptors specifically expressed on blood vessel cells. Ang1 appears
to work in tandem with VEGF to help regulate blood vessel growth.
George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President,
Research, and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron noted, "Our
previous research showed that Ang1, a naturally occurring protein, is
required for normal blood vessel formation in the body. Today's
article extends this finding by demonstrating that genetically
providing additional Ang1 can promote enhanced blood vessel growth in
animals. This result suggests the possible therapeutic use of Ang1 in
ischemic diseases such as coronary artery disease or peripheral
vascular disease that can accompany diabetes."
Commented Dr. Sato, "The Ang1 results are more striking than
those seen in previous studies with VEGF and did not show problems of
vessel hyperpermeability and edema seen with VEGF. Thus we are excited
about the possibility that Ang1, either alone or in combination with
VEGF, can be useful in promoting therapeutically beneficial blood
vessel formation."
Dr. Yancopoulos continued, "We have also recently reported on the
cloning of another member of the Angiopoietin family, Ang2, which
appears to be a negative regulator of angiogenesis. There are a
variety of settings in which blocking blood vessel growth may be
desirable. For example, a growing tumor also depends on its blood
supply and blocking this blood supply can kill a tumor by starvation.
Curbing the abnormal blood vessel growth that coats the retina in
diabetic retinopathy may also prove beneficial."
Regeneron has received U.S. patents covering the gene that
encodes Ang1, a method of using the gene to make the Ang1 ligand
protein, the Ang2 protein, the gene that encodes human Ang2 protein,
and a method of using the gene to make the Ang2 protein.
Regeneron is collaborating with The Procter & Gamble Company in
the research and development of the Angiopoietins. In May 1997, the
Company and Procter & Gamble entered into a broad, ten-year
collaboration agreement, pursuant to which Procter & Gamble will
provide up to $155 million during the first five years to support
Regeneron and its research programs, including the Company's
angiogenesis program. Any products resulting from this collaboration
are expected to be commercialized jointly worldwide and the profits
shared equally.
Regeneron is a leader in the application of molecular and cell
biology to the search for novel human therapeutics. Regeneron uses its
expertise in growth factors and their mechanisms of action to discover
and develop protein-based and small molecule drugs for the treatment
of obesity and neurological, inflammatory, and muscle diseases, as
well as abnormal bone growth, cancer, and angiogenesis.
Amgen-Regeneron Partners is conducting human clinical studies of
Regeneron's brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and
neurotrophin-3 (NT-3).
This news release discusses historical information and includes
forward looking statements about Regeneron's products, programs,
finances, and business, all of which involve a number of risks and
uncertainties, such as risks associated with preclinical and clinical
development of drugs and biologics, determinations by regulatory and
administrative governmental authorities, competitive factors,
technological developments, the availability and cost of capital, the
costs of developing, producing, and selling products, the potential
for any collaboration agreement to be canceled or to terminate without
any product success, and other material risks. A more complete
description of these risks can be found in Regeneron's Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997 and current Form 10-Q, copies of
which should be read before making any investment decision regarding
Regeneron common stock.
Additional information about Regeneron and recent news releases
are available on Regeneron's Worldwide Web Home Page at
www.regeneron.com. Fax copies of news releases can be obtained from
Regeneron's News-on-Demand Service by dialing (800) 311-0841.
--30--sdg/ny*
CONTACT: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown
Murray A. Goldberg
Vice President Finance and Administration and CFO
(914) 345-7492
or
Robinson Lerer & Montgomery, New York
Michael Gross, Partner
(212) 484-7721 |
