Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDRA), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company developing nucleic acid therapeutics for
patients with cancer and rare diseases, today announced the
publication of promising preclinical data demonstrating the
application of the Company’s novel Gene Silencing Oligonucleotides
(GSOs) to inhibit microRNAs implicated in neovascularization, a
process that involves the proliferation of blood vessels in tissue
and is crucial for recovery following cardiovascular events. The
studies were conducted by Professor Paul Quax, Ph.D., and Yaël
Nossent, Ph.D., of the Department of Surgery, Einthoven Laboratory
for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical
Center in the Netherlands in collaboration with Idera. The paper,
entitled Inhibition of 14q32 microRNAs miR-329, miR-487b, miR-494
and miR-495 Increases Neovascularization and Blood Flow Recovery
after Ischemia, appears in the current online edition of
Circulation Research.
In this paper, Drs. Quax and Nossent and colleagues report on
the identification of specific microRNAs that regulate genes in the
pathway involved in neovascularization, including the 14q32
microRNA gene cluster. Idera’s proprietary GSO technology enabled
inhibition of these specific microRNAs in both cell-based assays as
well as in animal models. Treatment with GSOs led to
microRNA-specific down-regulation and hence up-regulation of the
microRNA’s target genes. In a mouse model of double femoral artery
ligation, treatment with specific GSOs targeting the identified
microRNAs led to improved blood flow recovery after ischemia,
increased perfusion and full recovery of tissue perfusion. These
data show that GSOs targeting specific microRNAs have therapeutic
potential for neovascularization.
“In this important study, we identified a large cluster of
microRNAs that is involved in the recovery of blood flow following
cardiovascular events,” said Dr. Nossent. “Through our
collaboration with Idera and our application of its GSOs, we were
able to selectively target each of these microRNAs, elucidating
their role in neovascularization. We were also able to demonstrate
that inhibition of these specific microRNAs led to accelerated
recovery of blood flow, thereby providing a rationale for a novel
therapeutic approach.”
“GSOs are novel structures designed to overcome the limitations
of the currently practiced antisense technology, with a goal of
providing an increased therapeutic index,” said Walter Strapps,
Ph.D., Executive Director of RNA Therapeutics for Idera. "We are
very pleased with the results of our collaboration with Drs. Quax
and Nossent, and that we were able to identify GSOs to inhibit
specific microRNAs following systemic delivery. We are very
encouraged with the emerging data, both internally and externally,
supporting the potential of GSOs as third generation antisense
therapeutic agents able to overcome the hurdles of current
technologies. We are continuing to advance our GSO platform and
remain on track to initiate proof-of-concept studies with GSO drug
candidates in two disease indications as early as the second half
of next year."
Authors of the paper are Sabine M.J. Welten, Msc, Antonius
J.N.M. Bastiaansen, MD, Rob C.M. de Jong, Msc, Margreet R. de
Vries, PhD, Erna A.B. Peters, Bsc, Martin C. Boonstra, Msc, Paul
H.A. Quax, PhD and A. Yaël Nossent, PhD of Leiden University
Medical Center; Søren P. Sheikh, MD, PhD of Odense University
Hospital; Nicola La Monica, PhD and Ekambar R. Kandimalla, PhD of
Idera Pharmaceuticals.
About Gene Silencing Oligonucleotides
Idera's gene silencing oligonucleotides (GSOs) are
single-stranded RNA or DNA constructs with two exposed 3'-ends that
are complementary to targeted mRNA sequences of therapeutic
interest. In preclinical studies, GSOs have inhibited gene
expression in vivo without requiring a delivery enhancement
technology. GSOs are covered by issued (#8,431,544) and pending
patents around the world.
About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Idera Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
company developing a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment
of genetically defined forms of B-cell lymphoma and rare autoimmune
diseases. Idera’s proprietary technology involves creating novel
nucleic acid therapeutics designed to inhibit over-activation of
Toll-like Receptors (TLRs). In addition to its TLR programs, Idera
is developing gene silencing oligonucleotides (GSOs) that it has
created using its proprietary technology to inhibit the production
of disease-associated proteins by targeting RNA.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact,
included or incorporated in this press release, including
statements regarding the Company’s strategy, future operations,
collaborations, intellectual property, cash resources, financial
position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans, and
objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words
“believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,”
“intends,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “potential,” “likely,”
“projects,” “continue,” “will,” and “would” and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not
all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Idera cannot guarantee that it will actually achieve the plans,
intentions or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking
statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s
forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors
that could cause Idera’s actual results to differ materially from
those indicated or implied by its forward-looking statements.
Factors that may cause such a difference include: whether results
obtained in preclinical studies and clinical trials such as the
results described in this release will be indicative of the results
that will be generated in future clinical trials; whether products
based on Idera’s technology will advance into or through the
clinical trial process on a timely basis or at all and receive
approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or
equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether, if the Company’s
products receive approval, they will be successfully distributed
and marketed; and such other important factors as are set forth
under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 30, 2014. Although
Idera may elect to do so at some point in the future, the Company
does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements and it disclaims any intention or obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Jim Baker,
617-679-5516jbaker@iderapharma.com
Idera Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:IDRA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Idera Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:IDRA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024