Novel Drug Candidate
January 08 2008 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:2653L
Immupharma PLC
08 January 2008
For Immediate Release 8 January 2008
ImmuPharma PLC
ImmuPharma enters oncology with novel potential blockbuster drug
for multiple cancer indications
ImmuPharma PLC (LSE:IMM), ("ImmuPharma" or the "Company"), the specialist drug
discovery and development company, announces today that, as part of its ongoing
research collaboration with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
("CNRS"), France's scientific research institution, it has taken the rights for
the worldwide development and commercialization of a novel drug candidate for
cancer..
The molecule, code-named IPP-204106, has a dual mechanism of action, acting both
in preventing angiogenesis as well as proliferation. IPP-204106 is a nucleolin
antagonist, the lead molecule in a family of pseudopeptides designed to block
the activity of a protein called nucleolin. Located essentially in the nucleus
of normal cells where it is protected, nucleolin is much more abundant (often
100 times more) at the surface of the cells which are proliferating as well as
the surface of active endothelial cells where it can be a target for antagonist
peptides.
Cell surface expressed nucleolin is involved in the proliferation processes as
well as in cell transformation. It is also a receptor for many growth factors
and plays a key role in angiogenesis. Nucleolin antagonists have therefore both
anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative properties.
Preclinical data have shown that nucleolin antagonists inhibit the growth of
tumours and metastasis in many cancer types. They prevent the implantation of
tumours and block angiogenesis. They also inhibit the proliferation of certain
types of leukaemia cells. Based on the mechanism of action nucleolin antagonists
are active as long as surface nucleolin is present, irrespective of the type of
cancer. Preliminary data have also shown the absence of toxicity.
In addition to their efficacy as stand-alone agents, nucleolin antagonists may
also have a use as selective carriers for cytotoxic drugs and the company has
filed patents accordingly.
ImmuPharma is planning to complete the formal preclinical development this year
with a Phase I expected to start by year end.
Dr Robert Zimmer, MD, PhD, ImmuPharma's Chief Scientific Officer, explained:
"Most drugs for cancer are very toxic by default. IPP-204106 is a peptide-like
molecule and is not expected to show serious toxicity. If we were to assume that
proliferation, adhesion and angiogenesis can be blocked without major safety
issues a tremendous achievement in cancer treatment will be obtained."
Dimitri Dimitriou, ImmuPharma's CEO added: "Entering oncology was a natural
progression for ImmuPharma. Our business model of focusing in specialist areas
dominated by huge unmet needs fits perfectly with oncology. Furthermore, this
exciting new drug candidate has a tremendous commercial potential if it meets
its target profile of preventing tumour growth as well as metastasis while being
non-toxic."
For further information please contact:
ImmuPharma PLC:
Dimitri Dimitriou, Chief Executive +44 20 7152 4080
Officer
Dr Robert Zimmer, President & Chief + 33 389 32 76 50
Scientific Officer
Richard Warr, Chairman +44 20 7152 4080
Buchanan Communications + 44 20 7466 5000
Lisa Baderoon
Rebecca Skye Dietrich
Panmure Gordon & Co
Andrew Burnett +44 151 243 0963
For company information, visit www.immupharma.com
Notes to Editors:
About ImmuPharma
ImmuPharma PLC is a drug discovery and development company headquartered in
London, UK and quoted on AIM of the London Stock Exchange (LSE:IMM). It has
research operations in France (ImmuPharma (France) SA) and Switzerland
(ImmuPharma AG). ImmuPharma is dedicated to the development of novel drugs,
largely based on peptide therapeutics, to treat serious medical conditions such
as autoimmune diseases characterised by:
* blockbuster potential in niche markets
* low promotional costs in few specialised physicians and centres and
* lower risk of drug development and lower development costs
ImmuPharma is a currently developing drug candidates for three different medical
conditions, each of which would represent a significant breakthrough in its
field. The furthest advanced drug candidate targets Lupus, a disease for which
there is currently no cure or specific treatment. The other two address moderate
to severe pain (such as that experienced by cancer sufferers and post-operative
patients), and MRSA and similar severe hospital-acquired resistant infections.
All three have significant sales potential as well as low marketing costs and a
relatively low risk of development failure. One or more have the potential to be
fast-tracked by the US Food and Drug Administration according to "Guidance for
Industry: Fast Track Drug Development Programs - Designation, Development and
Application Review" issued July 2004 and could therefore obtain their market
authorization by 2010.
Key to the potential success of ImmuPharma is its unique collaborative agreement
with Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France's scientific research
institution. This agreement grants ImmuPharma worldwide exclusive rights to
exploit certain key discoveries.
In addition to its three leading drug candidates, ImmuPharma has a drug
development pipeline using its rights to a virtual chemical library of hundreds
of thousands of molecules as well as an innovative technology for converting
peptides to drug candidates.
ImmuPharma has the option to commercialise its assets itself or to license them
to other pharmaceutical companies at an earlier stage.
The pipeline
Treatment of Lupus (IPP-201101)
This is a long-term treatment for Lupus, a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune
disease where the immune system attacks healthy cells. There is currently no
cure and existing medications only treat the symptoms whereas ImmuPharma's drug
candidate has the potential to produce remission of the disease in a substantial
proportion of patients.
Based on independent forecasts, the value of ImmuPharma's Lupus drug is
estimated to be "substantial" with peak annual sales forecast to generate in
excess of $4 billion.
Severe pain relief (IPP-102199)
ImmuPharma is developing a potential non-addictive compound for relieving
moderate to severe pain, such as experienced by cancer sufferers and
post-surgical patients. Most existing treatments are derived from the opiate
morphine and tend to have serious side effects. ImmuPharma's new treatment is
based on met-enkephalin, the body's internal analgesic. IPP-102199 is being
developed to have major advantages over morphine such as longer pain relief
duration and reduced side effects. The market for chronic opioids in the US
currently exceeds $3.5 billion and is growing by more than 10 to 20 per cent a
year.
Antibiotic for MRSA and similar highly resistant infections (IPP-203101)
This is a novel antibiotic to combat MRSA and other severe hospital-acquired,
resistant infections which affect some two million people in the US, according
to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ImmuPharma's drug
candidate is targeted at disrupting the membrane potential of the bacterial
pathogens. It is hoped this novel approach will reduce their potential to become
resistant.
PLA2 inhibitor for inflammatory and allergic disorders (IPP-201007)
Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of
phospholipids. This catalytic reaction is essential in the production of lipids
during various processes in the body, involving prostaglandins, leukotrienes,
thromboxanes, platelet activation factor and others. In certain cases, such
lipids mediators cause allergic reactions and a number of inflammatory
conditions such as asthma and other respiratory disorders, rheumatoid arthritis,
septic shock and acute pancreatitis are characterized by a significant increase
in PLA2 activity.
Inhibiting PLA2 can therefore reduce some of these allergic reactions and
inhibitors of PLA2 have already been shown to have positive effect in
inflammatory conditions. ImmuPharma believes this new molecule has potential in
becoming a drug for certain inflammatory conditions and intends to progress its
development. The drug could be in phase I trials as early as 2009.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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