SGXP Sgx Pharmaceuticals (MM)

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGXP) announced today details of two presentations from the Company's BCR-ABL program for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) at the upcoming American Society of Hematology's 49th Annual Meeting and Exposition. The conference is being held December 8th - 11th, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia. The schedule for these sessions, together with the abstract information, is listed below: Date: Saturday, December 8, 2007 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm EST Session Type: Poster Session, Board #172-I Abstract: #1018 Title: "Co-Crystal Structures of 7-Azaindole Inhibitors of Wild-Type and T315I Imatinib-Resistant Mutant Forms of the BCR-ABL Tyrosine Kinase." Description: This poster presentation describes how the SGX393 chemical family of BCR-ABL inhibitors discovered by SGX can provide potent, selective inhibition of both wild type and major drug resistant mutant forms of BCR-ABL including T315I. The poster discusses the impact of seven BCR-ABL mutations on the co-crystal structures of the SGX393 family of inhibitors, including the challenging T315I, G250E and F317L mutations. SGX393 represents an illustrative example of how the integrated SGX FAST fragment-based, structure-guided drug discovery platform can be used to generate high-quality, low molecular weight inhibitors of oncology targets. Date: Monday, December 10, 2007 from 1:30pm - 3:00pm EST Session Type: Oral Session Abstract: #535 Title: "SGX70393 Inhibits BCR-ABL & T315I In Vitro and In Vivo and Completely Suppresses Resistance When Combined with Nilotinib or Dasatinib." Description: An oral presentation, coauthored with collaborators at the Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute, describes a proof of principle study demonstrating the potential of combination targeted therapy for CML. SGX393 (also known as SGX70393) is a potent, selective orally-bioavailable inhibitor of both wild type and major drug resistant mutant forms of BCR-ABL, including the most challenging T315I mutation. "These two ASH presentations explain how SGX is using its drug discovery platform to discover and optimize potent, selective and orally-bioavailable inhibitors of important oncology drug discovery targets," said Stephen Burley, Chief Scientific Officer of SGX Pharmaceuticals. "Moreover, the results obtained with our collaborators at the Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute demonstrate the potential of targeted combination therapy for CML. A number of influential thought leaders believe that effective management of newly-diagnosed CML will depend on long-term treatment with multiple agents possessing non-overlapping resistance profiles." About the SGX BCR-ABL Program SGX393 is an internally developed, orally-bioavailable, small molecule inhibitor of the abnormal BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, which results from a characteristic chromosome abnormality (also known as the Philadelphia chromosome) that causes chronic myelogenous leukemia or CML, a cancer of the bone marrow. SGX393 has shown both potent in vitro blockade of the activity of BCR-ABL and in vivo activity against human leukemic cells that depend on BCR-ABL for their uncontrolled growth and proliferation. In addition, SGX393 has shown potent activity against a broad spectrum of mutant forms of BCR-ABL that render this cancer target resistant to imatinib (Gleevec (R)), the current standard of care for CML. One of the key drug resistant forms of BCR-ABL inhibited by SGX393 is the T315I mutation, which is also resistant to the two second-generation BCR-ABL inhibitors, nilotinib (Tasigna (R)) and dasatinib (Sprycel (R)). In addition, SGX is engaged in a strategic collaboration with Novartis that aims to discover and develop next generation BCR-ABL inhibitors for treatment of newly-diagnosed CML patients. About SGX Pharmaceuticals SGX Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative cancer therapeutics. The SGX oncology pipeline includes drug candidates from its FAST(TM) drug discovery platform, such as next generation BCR-ABL inhibitors being developed by SGX and in partnership with Novartis and cMET tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including SGX523, and JAK2 inhibitors. More information on the pipeline and drug discovery platform can be found at http://www.sgxpharma.com/ and in the Company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, research and development programs, the potential of SGX's BCR-ABL inhibitors as treatments for chronic myelogenous leukemia and the ability to discover, develop and commercialize cancer therapeutics. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug discovery, development and commercialization. The results of early preclinical studies or clinical trials may not be predictive of future results, and the Company cannot provide any assurances that any of its compounds or development candidates will have favorable results in preclinical studies or future clinical trials. For a discussion of these and other factors, please refer to the risk factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, as well as other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and SGX undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. DATASOURCE: SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: Todd Myers, Chief Financial Officer of SGX Pharmaceuticals, +1-858-558-4850; or Jason Spark, Media & Investor Relations of Porter Novelli Life Sciences, +1-619-849-6005, for SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Web site: http://www.sgxpharma.com/

Copyright