INNOVIVE Pharmaceuticals Licenses WT1 Peptide Cancer Immunotherapeutic from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Vaccine is First WT1 Heteroclitic Peptide Immunotherapeutic to Specifically Target CD4 and CD8 Activation
INNOVIVE Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Manhattan, announced today that it has licensed worldwide development rights for a WT1 heteroclitic peptide immunotherapeutic from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. INNOVIVE anticipates commencing Phase I trials in the first half of 2006 to study the immunotherapeutic (INNO-305) in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and mesothelioma.
WT1 is expressed in most leukemias and in a variety of solid tumors. WT1 expression is a known indicator of poor outcome in acute leukemia.
INNO-305 is unique among WT1 peptide cancer immunotherapeutics because of its ability to stimulate CD8 and CD4 T-cells. It is believed that stimulating both types of T-cells may result in a more robust and ubiquitous immune response. INNO-305 also utilizes heteroclitic technology in which the wild-type WT1 sequences are altered to improve the immunotherapeutic's ability to activate T-cells.
"Myeloid leukemias respond to activated T-cells, either through bone marrow transplant or donor leukocyte infusion; therefore, we believe that an immunotherapeutic approach against a validated target in this setting holds great potential," said David A. Scheinberg, M.D., Ph.D., an inventor of the immunotherapeutic and chairman, Experimental Therapeutics Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where the initial Phase I trial will be conducted.
"Recent clinical data from other WT1 peptide immunotherapeutics stimulating CD8 T-cells has been very positive. We believe that the heteroclitic nature of INNO-305 and its potential to activate CD4 as well as CD8 T-cells makes it an excellent addition to INNOVIVE's growing pipeline," said Steven Kelly, president and chief executive officer, INNOVIVE Pharmaceuticals Inc.
INNO-305 is the third compound in INNOVIVE'S pipeline. The others are INNO-105 and INNO-406. INNO-105 is a naturally occurring peptide that inhibits cell growth and division by interacting with OGFr, a unique receptor found on the nuclear membrane of a wide range of malignant cells. The company recently announced it had enrolled the first patients in a Phase I clinical trial of INNO-105 in adult patients with advanced solid malignancies. INNO-406 (formerly known as NS-187) is an orally bioavailable, rationally designed, dual Bcr-Abl and Lyn-kinase inhibitor for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). INNO-406 is expected to enter Phase I trials this year.
About INNOVIVE Pharmaceuticals
INNOVIVE Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York. The company's mission is to acquire, develop and commercialize novel therapeutics addressing significant unmet medical needs in the fields of oncology and hematology. For additional information, visit www.innovivepharma.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause INNOVIVE's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurances that any of INNOVIVE's development efforts relating to its product candidates will be successful. Other risks that may affect forward-looking information contained in this press release include the possibility of being unable to obtain regulatory approval of INNOVIVE's product candidates, the risk that the results of clinical trials may not support INNOVIVE's claims, INNOVIVE's reliance on third-party researchers to develop its product candidates and its lack of experience in developing pharmaceutical products. INNOVIVE assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
INNOVIVE Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Manhattan, announced today that it has licensed worldwide development rights for a WT1 heteroclitic peptide immunotherapeutic from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. INNOVIVE anticipates commencing Phase I trials in the first half of 2006 to study the immunotherapeutic (INNO-305) in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and mesothelioma.
WT1 is expressed in most leukemias and in a variety of solid tumors. WT1 expression is a known indicator of poor outcome in acute leukemia.
INNO-305 is unique among WT1 peptide cancer immunotherapeutics because of its ability to stimulate CD8 and CD4 T-cells. It is believed that stimulating both types of T-cells may result in a more robust and ubiquitous immune response. INNO-305 also utilizes heteroclitic technology in which the wild-type WT1 sequences are altered to improve the immunotherapeutic's ability to activate T-cells.
"Myeloid leukemias respond to activated T-cells, either through bone marrow transplant or donor leukocyte infusion; therefore, we believe that an immunotherapeutic approach against a validated target in this setting holds great potential," said David A. Scheinberg, M.D., Ph.D., an inventor of the immunotherapeutic and chairman, Experimental Therapeutics Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where the initial Phase I trial will be conducted.
"Recent clinical data from other WT1 peptide immunotherapeutics stimulating CD8 T-cells has been very positive. We believe that the heteroclitic nature of INNO-305 and its potential to activate CD4 as well as CD8 T-cells makes it an excellent addition to INNOVIVE's growing pipeline," said Steven Kelly, president and chief executive officer, INNOVIVE Pharmaceuticals Inc.
INNO-305 is the third compound in INNOVIVE'S pipeline. The others are INNO-105 and INNO-406. INNO-105 is a naturally occurring peptide that inhibits cell growth and division by interacting with OGFr, a unique receptor found on the nuclear membrane of a wide range of malignant cells. The company recently announced it had enrolled the first patients in a Phase I clinical trial of INNO-105 in adult patients with advanced solid malignancies. INNO-406 (formerly known as NS-187) is an orally bioavailable, rationally designed, dual Bcr-Abl and Lyn-kinase inhibitor for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). INNO-406 is expected to enter Phase I trials this year.
About INNOVIVE Pharmaceuticals
INNOVIVE Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York. The company's mission is to acquire, develop and commercialize novel therapeutics addressing significant unmet medical needs in the fields of oncology and hematology. For additional information, visit www.innovivepharma.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause INNOVIVE's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurances that any of INNOVIVE's development efforts relating to its product candidates will be successful. Other risks that may affect forward-looking information contained in this press release include the possibility of being unable to obtain regulatory approval of INNOVIVE's product candidates, the risk that the results of clinical trials may not support INNOVIVE's claims, INNOVIVE's reliance on third-party researchers to develop its product candidates and its lack of experience in developing pharmaceutical products. INNOVIVE assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
posted by Chris Placitella | 12:32 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home