PipelineReview.com - Biotech News & Online Store - Procyon Presents Preclinical Results with its Novel Tumor Vasculature Targeting Drug, TVT-DOX, at the 2006 Miami Nature Biotechnology Symposium on Angiogenesis in Cancer

Procyon Presents Preclinical Results with its Novel Tumor Vasculature Targeting Drug, TVT-DOX, at the 2006 Miami Nature Biotechnology Symposium on Angiogenesis in Cancer

07 Feb 2006

TVT-Dox binding specificity to tumor vasculature receptor CD13 is confirmed

MONTREAL, Canada | Feb 07, 2006 | Procyon Biopharma Inc. (TSX:PBP), a biotechnology company developing innovative

therapeutics in the fields of cancer and HIV/AIDS, announced today that preclinical results with its novel tumor vasculature targeting drug, TVT-Dox (Tumor Vasculature Targeting liposomal doxorubicin), were presented at the 2006 Miami Nature Biotechnology Winter Symposium Angiogenesis in Cancer and Vascular Disease being held in Miami Beach, February 4-7, 2006.

The TVT-Dox short report entitled: "A novel dual-targeting drug for solid tumors and their vasculature" was presented by Dr. Jinzi Wu, vice-president, preclinical and basic research of Procyon during the February 6th session titled "Angiogenesis Inhibition".

The short report confirms the selective binding capability of TVT-Dox to endothelial cells in tumor blood vessels and its effective delivery of the cytotoxic agent (doxorubicin) to the tumor blood vessels and adjacent tumor cells. Upon its binding to the specific tumor receptor (CD13 isoform), TVT-Dox is internalized into tumor vascular endothelial cells and releases doxorubicin which acts as a cytotoxic agent functionally disrupting tumor vasculature.

TVT-DOX SHORT REPORT SUMMARY

There are two major issues with conventional chemotherapies: 1) Poor selectivity (low drug concentration at tumor sites and distribution in normal tissues); 2) Unfavorable pharmacokinetics (rapid disappearance in the systemic circulation). Doxil, a non-targeted PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin with a long half-life time, has demonstrated certain clinical benefits over doxorubicin. However, lack of targeting mechanism has limited the use of doxil in the clinical setting. TVT-Dox is a PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin coated with a 19 amino acid-tumor vascular targeting peptide containing NGR motif. TVT-Dox has been shown to be capable of selective binding to the CD13 receptor on endothelial cells in tumor blood vessels and effectively delivering the cytotoxic agent doxorubicin to the tumor blood vessels and adjacent tumor cells. Upon its binding to the specific CD13 isoform, TVT-Dox is internalized into tumor vascular endothelial cells and releases doxorubicin which acts as a cytotoxic agent functionally disrupting tumor vasculature. Because of the expression of the NGR-specific isoform of CD13 on some tumor cells and leakiness of tumor vasculature, TVT-Dox also selectively delivers doxorubicin to the tumor cells adjacent to the tumor vasculature. This dual-targeting mechanism differentiates TVT-Dox from traditional tumor vasculature targeting agents. With its long half-life time and dual targeting mechanism, TVT-Dox is believed to be a novel anti-cancer drug for a wide variety of solid tumors including those resistant to conventional chemotherapies.

ABOUT TVT-DOX

The TVT (Tumor Vasculature Targeting) technology comprises a liposome drug carriers containing doxorubicin, combined with a targeting device (NGR peptide). The targeting device specifically identifies a receptor (CD13 isoform) found only in the vascular endothelium (blood vessel lining) of tumors.

In cancer patients, new blood vessels grow (neovascularization) in response to the demand of tumors for nutrients and oxygen. In healthy adults there is little neovascularization, with the exception of the uterus and placenta in women in the first part of their cycle and in pregnant women, respectively. Hence, in most cancer patients new blood vessels are found only in tumors and metastases. As a consequence, targeted liposomes can be used to treat cancer patients by very selectively delivering a cytotoxic agent and destroying blood vessels in the tumor and metastases but not in normal tissues.

Research to date has shown TVT-Dox to be a very potent anti-tumor agent with 7-out-of-7 positive results in animal models and six-out-of-six positive results with human tumor biopsies. TVT-Dox shows a broad spectrum of anti tumor activity, destroys tumor vasculature and has a vast market potential. TVT-Dox is specific for tumor vasculature and has a high safety/efficacy profile. An Investigational New Drug application is anticipated within the next 12 months.

ABOUT PROCYON BIOPHARMA INC.

Procyon Biopharma Inc. is a biotechnology company actively engaged in the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics in the fields of cancer and HIV/AIDS. Headquartered in Montreal, Procyon shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol PBP. For more information, visit www.procyonbiopharma.com.

On January 19, 2006, Procyon and Cellpep S.A., a French private biotechnology company developing therapeutics in oncology and infectious diseases, announced the signing of a definitive acquisition agreement under which Procyon has offered to acquire all of the outstanding securities of Cellpep in exchange for a number of common shares equal to $39.1 million in value to be issued to the Cellpep shareholders.

The strategic combination of both companies will form a new entity: Ambrilia Biopharma Inc., a global, publicly-listed biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of innovative therapeutics in the fields of oncology and infectious diseases. Following completion of the transaction, subject to Procyon' shareholders approval, Ambrilia Biopharma's common shares will continue to be traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under a new ticker symbol: AMB

Cellpep brings to Procyon a complementary oncology and infectious diseases product portfolio that includes two late-stage high-value generics. The first of these products, octreotide, for which distribution agreements with major pharmaceutical companies have been already concluded, is expected to be launched in Europe in 2007 and in the U.S. in 2008. The second product, goserelin, is expected to be launched in Europe in 2008. With this combined portfolio comprised of high-value late-stage products, Ambrilia Biopharma expects to accelerate its path to profitability and enhance its global position by generating potential revenues through U.S. and European sales of octreotide and goserelin.

This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the company's current expectation regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, changing market conditions, successful and timely completion of clinical studies, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, establishment of corporate alliances and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's filings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Procyon Biopharma Inc.
Julie M. Thibodeau
Director, Communications
(514) 685 2000, ext. 118
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.procyonbiopharma.com

SOURCE: Procyon Biopharma, Inc

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