Study Shows Cellceutix Antibiotic Active Against Drug-Resistant Superbug Klebsiella Pneumoniae
April 14 2014 - 6:30AM
Marketwired
Study Shows Cellceutix Antibiotic Active Against Drug-Resistant
Superbug Klebsiella Pneumoniae
Klebsiella Pneumoniae Is One of the World's Most Dangerous
Superbugs as Some Strains Are Known to Be Resistant to Virtually
Every Antibiotic Available Today
BEVERLY, MA--(Marketwired - Apr 14, 2014) - Cellceutix
Corporation (OTCQB: CTIX) (the "Company"), a clinical stage
biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies in
oncology, dermatology, and antibiotic applications, is pleased to
report favorable results in a recently completed preclinical study
evaluating its novel antibiotic compounds against specific strains
of multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The
research, which is government funded through existing grants to
research institutions, is being conducted at a major university in
Texas.
In a thigh burden study of a multi-drug resistant strain of
Klebsiella pneumoniae in a mouse model, Cellceutix's
defensin mimetic compound CTIX1278, was efficacious as compared to
a carbapenem antibiotic that is widely used as a last line of
defense against drug-resistant, Gram-negative bacteria, including
Klebsiella pneumoniae. A second study is now being
conducted at multiple dosing levels with various infusion
parameters with the goal of increasing efficacy and further
defining a treatment protocol for the compound.
"This is highly encouraging early data of CTIX1278 as it is the
first example of efficacy in vivo with one of our defensin
mimetic compounds versus Klebsiella pneumoniae," comments
Dr. Krishna Menon, Chief Scientific Officer at Cellceutix. "A
Gram-negative bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of
the world's most dangerous superbugs; strains of this bacteria are
rapidly emerging that are resistant to virtually every antibiotic
available today. The world is staring down the barrel at a
growing number of bacteria that can't be killed by available drugs
and the last line of defense is wearing thin. We are very
pleased with this latest study providing another piece of evidence
that our defensin mimetics have the potential to introduce the
first new class of antibiotic drugs in more than two decades to
combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistance."
As it conducts the second study for Klebsiella
pneumoniae, the university is awaiting additional materials to
begin in vivo research in models of superficial and deep
tissue wounds. In these studies, infecting organisms include
Gram-negative multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and Acinetobacter baumannii. This research is also
being funded through existing government grants.
Separately, the Company is pleased to inform shareholders that
to date: a) the Phase 2b trial of its defensin mimetic compound,
Brilacidin™, for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure
Infections (ABSSSI) is progressing with approximately 30% patient
enrollment completed with no drug-related serious adverse events
(SAE); b) the Phase 1 trial of Kevetrin for solid tumors is
progressing with no SAE events presently in the seventh cohort of
the trial; c) and patient screening is ongoing in the Phase 1 trial
of Prurisol for psoriasis.
About Cellceutix: Headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts,
Cellceutix is a publicly traded company under the symbol "CTIX".
Cellceutix is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing
innovative therapies in oncology, dermatology and antibiotic
applications. Cellceutix believes it has a world-class portfolio of
compounds and is now engaged in advancing its compounds and seeking
strategic partnerships. Cellceutix's anti-cancer drug Kevetrin is
currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial at Harvard Cancer Centers'
Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical
Center. In the laboratory Kevetrin has shown to induce activation
of p53, often referred to as the "Guardian Angel Gene" due to its
crucial role in controlling cell mutations. Cellceutix is planning
a Phase 2 clinical trial with its novel compound Brilacidin-OM for
the prevention and treatment of Oral Mucositis. Brilacidin-OM, a
defensin mimetic compound, has shown in the laboratory to reduce
the occurrence of severe ulcerative oral mucositis by more than 94%
compared to placebo. Cellceutix's anti-psoriasis drug Prurisol is
presently in a bioequivalence crossover clinical trial. Prurisol is
a small molecule that acts through immune modulation and PRINS
reduction. Cellceutix's key antibiotic, Brilacidin, is in a Phase
2b trial for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections, or
ABSSSI. Brilacidin has the potential to be a single-dose therapy or
a dosing regimen that is shorter than currently marketed
antibiotics for multi-drug resistant bacteria (Superbugs).
Cellceutix has formed research collaborations with world-renowned
research institutions in the United States and Europe, including MD
Anderson Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and
the University of Bologna. More information is available on the
Cellceutix web site at www.cellceutix.com.
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains
forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause
Cellceutix's actual results and experience to differ materially
from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these
forward looking statements. Cellceutix has in some cases identified
forward-looking statements by using words such as "anticipates,"
"believes," "hopes," "estimates," "looks," "expects," "plans,"
"intends," "goal," "potential," "may," "suggest," and similar
expressions. Among other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking
statements are Cellceutix's need for, and the availability of,
substantial capital in the future to fund its operations and
research and development; including the amount and timing of the
sale of shares of common stock to Aspire Capital; the fact that
Cellceutix's compounds may not successfully complete pre-clinical
or clinical testing, or be granted regulatory approval to be sold
and marketed in the United States or elsewhere. A more complete
description of these risk factors is included in Cellceutix's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not
place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Cellceutix
undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any
revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made
to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press
release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events,
except as required by applicable law or regulation.
INVESTOR AND MEDIA CONTACT: Cellceutix Corporation Leo Ehrlich
(978) 236-8717 Email Contact
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