ROCKVILLE, Md., June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EntreMed, Inc. , a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, announced the presentation of preclinical results for its Aurora kinase - angiogenesis inhibitor, ENMD-981693. The data were presented during oral and poster presentations by EntreMed scientists at the 2nd Protein Kinases in Drug Discovery Conference being held May 31 - June 1, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts.
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ENMD-981693 is an oral, dual-acting kinase inhibitor with a unique kinase selectivity profile and multiple mechanisms of action. In preclinical studies, ENMD-981693 has been shown to inhibit a unique profile of angiogenic tyrosine kinase targets in addition to the Aurora kinases. Aurora kinases are key regulators of mitosis (cell division), and are often over-expressed in human cancers. ENMD-981693 is selective for the Aurora A isoform in comparison to Aurora B.
Results from in vitro studies demonstrate ENMD-981693’s potent activity against oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases, including FLT3, c-Kit and CSF1R, which are involved in the pathology of hematological cancers. Additionally, ENMD-981693 demonstrated potent inhibition of a spectrum of targets linked to angiogenesis, including KDR (VEGFR2) and FGFR1. The compound was also shown to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in a broad range of cell lines.
ENMD-981693 exhibited antiangiogenic activity in in vivo animal models by preventing the formation of new blood vessels and inducing regression of formed vessels at well-tolerated doses. Orally-administered ENMD-981693 induced tumor regression with minimal toxicity in a preclinical xenograft model of human leukemia. This activity is consistent with tumor regression induced by ENMD-981693 in preclinical models of human tumors derived from colon, leukemia, and breast cancer cell lines.
Mark R. Bray, Ph.D., Vice President, Research at EntreMed, commented on the presentations, “Results from these preclinical studies highlight the tremendous progress we have made with this compound and further support our selection of ENMD-981693 as the lead for our Aurora kinase program. ENMD-981693 has been shown to induce tumor regression in multiple preclinical models, which demonstrates the compound’s potential clinical utility in a broad variety of cancers. IND-directed studies are currently underway and we anticipate the filing of an IND for ENMD-981693 in the fourth quarter of 2007.”
To view the presentations, visit the Recent Presentations section of the Company’s web site at http://www.entremed.com.
About EntreMed
EntreMed, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutic candidates primarily for the treatment of cancer and inflammation. Panzem(R) (2-methoxyestradiol or 2ME2), the Company’s lead drug candidate, is currently in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials for cancer, as well as in preclinical development for rheumatoid arthritis. MKC-1, an oral cell-cycle regulator, is in various Phase 2 studies for cancer. ENMD-1198, a novel tubulin-binding agent, is in Phase 1 studies in advanced cancers. EntreMed’s goal is to develop and commercialize new compounds based on the Company’s expertise in angiogenesis, cell-cycle regulation and inflammation - processes vital to the treatment of cancer and other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Additional information about EntreMed is available on the Company’s web site at http://www.entremed.com and in various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act with respect to the outlook for expectations for future financial or business performance (including the timing of royalty revenues and future R&D expenditures), strategies, expectations and goals. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and no duty to update forward-looking statements is assumed. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including those set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission filings under “Risk Factors,” including risks relating to the need for additional capital and the uncertainty of additional funding; variations in actual sales of Thalomid(R), risks associated with the Company’s product candidates; the early-stage products under development; results in preclinical models are not necessarily indicative of clinical results, uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical trials; success in the clinical development of any products; dependence on third parties; future capital needs; and risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of the Company’s proposed products (such as marketing, safety, regulatory, patent, product liability, supply, competition and other risks).
CONTACT: Ginny Dunn EntreMed, Inc. Associate Director Corporate Communications & Investor Relations (240) 864-2643
Photo: Newscom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010620/ENMDLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.orgPRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.comEntreMed, Inc.
CONTACT: Ginny Dunn, Associate Director Corporate Communications &Investor Relations, of EntreMed, Inc., +1-240-864-2643
Web site: http://www.entremed.com/
