- Lead molecules derived from YM BioSciences' compound library
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MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - YM BioSciences
Inc. (NYSE Amex:YMI, TSX:YM), today reported that Pulmokine Inc.
(Slingerlands, New York), a
licensee of several small molecule compounds from YM, has been
awarded two National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. The grants, totaling more than
US$650,000, are Phase I awards to
develop novel treatments for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
These compounds, originating from YM BioSciences' small molecule
library, have defined mechanisms of action and, based on
preliminary experiments, are believed to inhibit key processes in
PAH disease development and progression. YM will continue to have a
role in the ongoing development of the compounds.
"PAH is associated with a high morbidity and mortality and the
therapies now available have little effect on disease progression,"
said Dr. Lawrence Zisman, CEO and
CSO of Pulmokine. "The opportunities for the compounds licensed
from YM are significant if they continue to demonstrate the
potential to offer new options for patients with this debilitating
disease." Dr. Zisman will be presenting preliminary data from these
studies at the forthcoming American Heart Association meeting on
Monday, November 15, 2010.
"YM BioSciences has built a library of approximately 4,000 novel
small molecules, largely targeting protein tyrosine kinases. This
library has already provided our clinical stage products CYT387 and
CYT997, and we have identified a variety of additional compounds
with significant development potential," said Dr. Nick Glover, President and COO of YM
BioSciences. "The collaboration with Pulmokine enables us to
continue to leverage this library through risk-sharing
collaborations. We have already entered into a similar relationship
with Australian-based Cancer Therapeutics Ltd. to develop novel
cancer drugs targeting the FAK enzyme. We will continue to explore
further collaborations of a similar nature for other molecules from
our library, with a view to potentially augmenting our clinical
development pipeline in the future with internally-discovered
compounds."
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is characterized by
constriction of the pulmonary arterioles, the small blood vessels
that carry absorbed oxygen from the lungs into the circulation. The
average survival after diagnosis of PAH is three years for
untreated patients. The worldwide incidence of primary PAH is
estimated to be 5-6 cases per million of population, while PAH
secondary to other diseases has a higher incidence. For example,
the incidence of PAH associated with systemic sclerosis is
estimated to be 11-47 cases per million.
The SBIR Program is a US-federally funded grant program
administered by the US NIH. The aims of the program are to support
small business in the development of new technologies, specifically
the generation of proof-of-concept data in relevant models.
About YM BioSciences
YM BioSciences Inc. is a drug development company advancing
three clinical-stage products: CYT387, a small molecule, dual
inhibitor of JAK1/JAK2 kinase; nimotuzumab, an EGFR-targeting
monoclonal antibody; and CYT997, a potent vascular disrupting agent
(VDA).
CYT387 is an orally administered inhibitor of both the JAK1 and
JAK2 kinase enzymes, which have been implicated in a number of
immune cell disorders including myeloproliferative neoplasms and
inflammatory diseases as well as certain cancers. CYT387 is
currently in a Phase II trial in myelofibrosis with detailed
initial safety and activity data expected at the American Society
of Hematology (ASH) meeting in December
2010. Nimotuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody
targeting EGFR with a potential best-in-class side effect profile.
Nimotuzumab is being evaluated in numerous Phase II and III trials
worldwide by YM's licensees. CYT997 is a uniquely orally-available
agent with dual mechanisms of vascular disruption and cytotoxicity,
and is currently in a Phase II trial for glioblastoma multiforme.
In addition to YM's three clinical stage products, the Company has
a library of more than 4,000 novel compounds identified through
internal research conducted at YM BioSciences Australia which are
currently being evaluated.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which
reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results, events or developments to be
materially different from any future results, events or
developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changing
market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical
studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of
competitive products and pricing, new product development,
uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process and other
risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly
and annual reporting. Certain of the assumptions made in preparing
forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the
following: that nimotuzumab will continue to demonstrate a
competitive safety profile in ongoing and future clinical trials;
that JAK 1/2 and the VDA molecule will generate positive efficacy
and safety data in future clinical trials; AeroLEF(R) will continue
to generate positive efficacy and safety data in future clinical
trials; that and that YM and its various partners will complete
their respective clinical trials within the timelines communicated
in this release. Except as required by applicable securities laws,
we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
SOURCE YM BioSciences Inc.
Copyright . 29 PR Newswire