MARLBOROUGH, Mass.,
Sept. 28, 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 patent from the
State Intellectual Property Office of the
People's Republic of China (SIPO) for the composition and
methods of use for RXI-109 and other connective tissue growth
factor (CTGF) targeting self-delivering RNAi compounds (sd-rxRNA®)
for the treatment of fibrotic disorders, including skin fibrosis.
The patent is scheduled to expire in 2031.
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RXI-109 and other CTGF-targeting sd-rxRNA® compounds may be
beneficial for the treatment of fibrotic diseases, including dermal
scarring, a condition with a much higher prevalence in people with
darker skin. Skin pigmentation is classified in VI categories known
as the Fitzpatrick scale. In China, individuals tend to have skin types
between III and V. The prevalence rates for hypertrophic
scarring in individuals with higher-scoring Fitzpatrick phototypes
can be up to 40-70% following surgery, making China a significant market for RXI-109 in the
treatment of dermal scarring. According to Persistence Market
Research, China is predicted to be
one of the fastest growing markets for scar treatments in
Asia.
"We are pleased with the issuance of this core patent which
covers RXI-109 in China," said Dr.
Geert Cauwenbergh, President and CEO
of RXi Pharmaceuticals. He added, "Not only does this patent
further strengthen our intellectual property portfolio, it also
expands regional out-licensing and partnering opportunities
available with our self-delivering platform. This comes at an
important time as we accelerate our business development efforts,
one of our seven key initiatives for increasing shareholder
value."
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
disorders such 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 and a Phase
1/2 trial is planned to initiate this year in ophthalmology. 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