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November 20, 2003 |
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– Plexxikon Inc. and Phenomix Corporation, both privately held drug discovery companies, today announced the formation of a drug discovery collaboration focused on the development of novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of oncology, inflammation and other diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will jointly develop a series of new compounds that inhibit c-Kit, a gene target in the protein kinase family. Research studies have implicated c-Kit as an important target in a number of diseases, including various cancers and rheumatoid arthritis.
In an earlier evaluation study, the companies already have developed a number of novel and potent compounds with promising pharmaceutical properties and demonstrated efficacy in an in vivo model of inflammation. These compounds provide the foundation for a collaborative lead optimization process that is expected to rapidly generate clinical candidates.
“We are pleased to be collaborating with Phenomix and to gain early access to their expertise in biology and in vivo disease models,” said Peter Hirth, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Plexxikon. “By combining Plexxikon’s lead-generation platform with Phenomix’ capabilities in whole animal models of disease and in vivo phenotyping, we believe we can accelerate the discovery of novel drug candidates ready for human clinical trials.”
“This collaboration represents the combination of two important new technologies that together address the significant productivity issues that exist in drug discovery and development today,” said Laura Shawver, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Phenomix. “Plexxikon’s structure-guided discovery platform identifies novel and higher quality lead compounds in a rapid and efficient manner. Complementing this discovery approach is Phenomix’ broad array of whole animal technologies which enable earlier and better informed evaluations of potential drug candidates for specific diseases.
Under the agreement, Plexxikon will apply its Scaffold-Based Drug DiscoveryTM platform to develop a series of novel small molecule inhibitors against c-Kit. Phenomix will evaluate potential drug leads for early demonstration of in vivo efficacy, pharmacology, preclinical analysis and compound reprofiling. The companies may jointly or independently further develop product candidates for this target, and they intend to partner product candidates from the collaboration to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the future.
Phenomix is a drug discovery company with a portfolio of therapeutic programs underway in immune disease and metabolic syndrome. The company's lead program focuses on diabetes with a compound that demonstrates superior potency and efficacy when compared to gold-standard compounds using preclinical models. Phenomix anticipates initiating partnering discussions in 2004.
By generating detailed physiological data in a mammalian system, Phenomix generates biological insight that allows earlier and better informed decisions across the discovery and development process. Combined with expertise in drug discovery and translational medicine, the company's in vivo platform supports a competitive advantage in understanding the causes of disease, creating effective therapeutics and engineering successful clinical trials. The company's unique approach also provides the basis for value-creating collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners. Phenomix is based in San Diego, California and Canberra, Australia. For more information, please visit www.phenomixcorp.com.
Plexxikon Profile
Plexxikon is a leader in the discovery and development of novel small molecule pharmaceuticals to treat human disease. Plexxikon's proprietary Scaffold-Based Drug Discovery™ platform is being applied to build therapeutic franchises in metabolic and cardiovascular disease, inflammation and oncology. This discovery process integrates a number of state-of-the-art technologies, including structural screening as one key component that provides a significant competitive advantage over other drug discovery approaches. To date, the company has discovered a portfolio of clinical and preclinical stage compounds in each of these franchises.
Currently, the company's most advanced program is a PPAR pan-agonist for the treatment of diabetes and related cardiovascular complications, with the lead candidate now in Phase 2 clinical testing in collaboration with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Other discovery programs include a dual kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases and a renin inhibitor for hypertension in collaboration with Servier. Plexxikon is seeking pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners for select collaboration opportunities. For more information, please visit www.plexxikon.com.
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