MARLBOROUGH, Mass.,
Sept. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- RXi Pharmaceuticals
Corporation (NASDAQ: RXII), a biotechnology company focused on
discovering and developing innovative therapies primarily in the
areas of dermatology and ophthalmology, today announced that
it has been granted a Notice of Allowance from the United States
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the methods of use of siRNA
sequences targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The
patent, part of RXi's acquired OPKO estate, is scheduled to expire
in 2022 and may become eligible for Patent Term Extension (PTE)
subject to certain conditions being met.
RNAi compounds targeting these VEGF sequences may be beneficial
for the treatment of neovascularization disorders, including wet
age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.
RNAi compounds targeting these sequences also have the potential to
be useful in combination with RXI-109 which could address both the
neovascularization and scarring components encountered in AMD.
"This Notice of Allowance from the USPTO for these sequences
expands and strengthens our intellectual property estate in the
anti-VEGF area, which includes ophthalmology, one of our seven core
initiatives to increase shareholder value," said Dr. Geert Cauwenbergh, President and CEO of RXi
Pharmaceuticals. He further added, "With the recent activation of
our ophthalmology IND, and with this Notice of Allowance, we not
only increase the value proposition of our Ophthalmology Franchise
for our shareholders and potential business partners, we also
expand and improve our intellectual property position for strategic
partnering of our self-delivering technology platform in other
therapeutic areas."
About RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: RXII) is a
biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing
innovative therapeutics primarily in the areas of dermatology and
ophthalmology that address high-unmet medical needs. Our discovery
and clinical development programs are based on siRNA technology, as
well as immunotherapy agents. These compounds include, but are not
limited to, our proprietary, self-delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA®)
compounds for the treatment of dermal and ocular scarring. It also
includes an immunomodulator, Samcyprone™, a proprietary topical
formulation of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP), for the treatment of
such disorders as alopecia areata, warts, non-malignant skin tumors
and cutaneous metastases of melanoma.
RXi's novel, self-delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA®) compounds are
designed for therapeutic use and have drug-like properties, such as
high potency, target specificity, serum stability, reduced immune
response activation, and efficient cellular uptake. sd-rxRNAs have
been shown, in vitro and in vivo, to achieve efficient spontaneous
cellular uptake and potent, long-lasting intracellular
activity.
RXI-109, an sd-rxRNA compound, is the Company's first clinical
development candidate. RXI-109 silences Connective Tissue Growth
Factor (CTGF), which plays a key role in tissue regeneration and
repair and is initially being developed to reduce or inhibit scar
formation in the skin and in the eye. RXI-109 is currently
being evaluated in Phase 2a clinical trials in dermatology. The
Company's sd-rxRNA technology platform is broadly protected by
multiple issued patents and numerous patent applications.
RXi's robust pipeline, coupled with an extensive patent
portfolio, provides for product and business development
opportunities across a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas. We are
committed to being a partner of choice for academia, small
companies, and large multinationals. We welcome ideas and proposals
for strategic alliances, including in- and out-licensing
opportunities, to advance and further develop strategic areas of
interest. Additional information may be found on the Company's
website, www.rxipharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements
about: our ability to successfully develop RXI-109, Samcyprone™ and
our other product candidates (collectively "our product
candidates"); the future success of our clinical trials with our
product candidates; the timing for the commencement and completion
of clinical trials; our ability to enter into strategic
partnerships and the future success of these strategic
partnerships; and our ability to deploy our sd-rxRNA® technology
through partnerships, as well as the prospects of these
partnerships to provide positive returns. Forward-looking
statements about expectations and development plans of RXi's
product candidates and partnerships involve significant risks and
uncertainties, including the following: risks that we may not be
able to successfully develop and commercialize our product
candidates; risks that product development and clinical studies may
be delayed, not proceed as planned and/or be subject to significant
cost over-runs; risks related to the development and
commercialization of products by competitors; risks related to our
ability to control the timing and terms of collaborations with
third parties; and risks that other companies or organizations may
assert patent rights preventing us from developing or
commercializing our product candidates. Additional risks are
detailed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and
subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the caption "Risk
Factors." Readers are urged to review these risk factors and
to not act in reliance on any forward-looking statements, as actual
results may differ from those contemplated by our forward-looking
statements. RXi does not undertake to update forward-looking
statements to reflect a change in its views, events or
circumstances that occur after the date of this release.
Contact
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Tamara McGrillen
508-929-3646
tmcgrillen@rxipharma.com
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SOURCE RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation