Sphingomab Shows Near-Complete Mitigation of Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) in an AMD Model
SAN DIEGO, CA, USA | May 22, 2007 | Lpath, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: LPTN), the category leader in therapeutic agents against bioactive lipids,
reported compelling proof-of-concept data in a standard animal model of human age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The results were presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) by Glenn L. Stoller, M.D., head of Lpath’s ocular therapies division. Stoller reported that Lpath’s lead drug candidate Sphingomab (in its humanized form) mitigated almost completely the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) formation in mice with laser-induced choroidal damage, which mimics the pathologic neovascularization experienced by patients with AMD.
Sphingomab, generated by Lpath’s proprietary ImmuneY2(TM) platform technology, is a monoclonal antibody against the bioactive lipid S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate). S1P has been well validated as a stimulator of angiogenesis (new blood-vessel growth), a process that has been strongly implicated in the progression of both AMD and cancer.
Moreover, S1P has recently garnered considerable attention in the scientific community as a validated mediator of fibrosis (scar-tissue formation), which contributes significantly to AMD-related vision loss. Lpath has demonstrated in previous studies that Sphingomab reduces scarring in a variety of organ systems by inhibiting S1P.
"This is the first demonstration that S1P is a mediator of CNV in an AMD model," said Stoller, "and that antibody-mediated inhibition of S1P is highly effective in preventing abnormal-blood-vessel growth beneath the retina."
Scott Pancoast, Lpath’s president and CEO, added, "This near-complete mitigation of CNV establishes compelling pre-clinical efficacy for Sphingomab. Inhibition of S1P is a novel approach to treating AMD, with additional mechanisms of action as compared with the various anti-VEGF compounds that dominate the market and fill the pipelines of pharmaceutical and biotech companies alike. Given these highly favorable factors, Sphingomab is extremely well positioned in the AMD arena."
Lpath plans to initiate clinical trials for wet AMD in early 2008.
About Lpath
Lpath, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, California, is the category leader in lipidomic-based therapeutics, an emerging field of medical science whereby bioactive signaling lipids are targeted for treating important human diseases. Lpath’s lead product candidate, Sphingomab, is a monoclonal antibody against a validated cancer target, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), and has demonstrated compelling results in preclinical studies against multiple forms of cancers, against AMD, and against heart failure. Sphingomab is potently anti-angiogenic, yet it has other mechanisms of action that may prove advantageous in the clinical setting. As such, Lpath believes Sphingomab may represent the next generation of anti-angiogenesis-based therapeutics.
Lpath’s second product candidate, Lpathomab(TM), is a monoclonal antibody against lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a key bioactive lipid that has been long recognized as a significant promoter of cancer-cell growth and metastasis in a broad range of tumor types.
Lpath’s unique ability to generate antibodies against bioactive lipids is based on its patented ImmuneY2(TM) technology. The company intends to apply the ImmuneY2 process to other important lipid-signaling agents, thereby providing a robust pipeline of antibody-based drug candidates. For more information, visit www.lpath.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking and reflect numerous assumptions and involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from stated expectations. For example, there can be no assurance that required clinical trials will be successful, necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained, or the proposed treatments will prove to be safe or effective. Actual results may also differ substantially from those described in or contemplated by this press release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in our operations and business environment, including, without limitation, our limited experience in the development of therapeutic drugs, our dependence upon proprietary technology, our history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, our reliance on research grants, current and future competition, and other risks described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
SOURCE: Lpath, Inc.
Post Views: 170
Sphingomab Shows Near-Complete Mitigation of Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) in an AMD Model
SAN DIEGO, CA, USA | May 22, 2007 | Lpath, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: LPTN), the category leader in therapeutic agents against bioactive lipids,
reported compelling proof-of-concept data in a standard animal model of human age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The results were presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) by Glenn L. Stoller, M.D., head of Lpath’s ocular therapies division. Stoller reported that Lpath’s lead drug candidate Sphingomab (in its humanized form) mitigated almost completely the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) formation in mice with laser-induced choroidal damage, which mimics the pathologic neovascularization experienced by patients with AMD.
Sphingomab, generated by Lpath’s proprietary ImmuneY2(TM) platform technology, is a monoclonal antibody against the bioactive lipid S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate). S1P has been well validated as a stimulator of angiogenesis (new blood-vessel growth), a process that has been strongly implicated in the progression of both AMD and cancer.
Moreover, S1P has recently garnered considerable attention in the scientific community as a validated mediator of fibrosis (scar-tissue formation), which contributes significantly to AMD-related vision loss. Lpath has demonstrated in previous studies that Sphingomab reduces scarring in a variety of organ systems by inhibiting S1P.
"This is the first demonstration that S1P is a mediator of CNV in an AMD model," said Stoller, "and that antibody-mediated inhibition of S1P is highly effective in preventing abnormal-blood-vessel growth beneath the retina."
Scott Pancoast, Lpath’s president and CEO, added, "This near-complete mitigation of CNV establishes compelling pre-clinical efficacy for Sphingomab. Inhibition of S1P is a novel approach to treating AMD, with additional mechanisms of action as compared with the various anti-VEGF compounds that dominate the market and fill the pipelines of pharmaceutical and biotech companies alike. Given these highly favorable factors, Sphingomab is extremely well positioned in the AMD arena."
Lpath plans to initiate clinical trials for wet AMD in early 2008.
About Lpath
Lpath, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, California, is the category leader in lipidomic-based therapeutics, an emerging field of medical science whereby bioactive signaling lipids are targeted for treating important human diseases. Lpath’s lead product candidate, Sphingomab, is a monoclonal antibody against a validated cancer target, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), and has demonstrated compelling results in preclinical studies against multiple forms of cancers, against AMD, and against heart failure. Sphingomab is potently anti-angiogenic, yet it has other mechanisms of action that may prove advantageous in the clinical setting. As such, Lpath believes Sphingomab may represent the next generation of anti-angiogenesis-based therapeutics.
Lpath’s second product candidate, Lpathomab(TM), is a monoclonal antibody against lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a key bioactive lipid that has been long recognized as a significant promoter of cancer-cell growth and metastasis in a broad range of tumor types.
Lpath’s unique ability to generate antibodies against bioactive lipids is based on its patented ImmuneY2(TM) technology. The company intends to apply the ImmuneY2 process to other important lipid-signaling agents, thereby providing a robust pipeline of antibody-based drug candidates. For more information, visit www.lpath.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking and reflect numerous assumptions and involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from stated expectations. For example, there can be no assurance that required clinical trials will be successful, necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained, or the proposed treatments will prove to be safe or effective. Actual results may also differ substantially from those described in or contemplated by this press release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in our operations and business environment, including, without limitation, our limited experience in the development of therapeutic drugs, our dependence upon proprietary technology, our history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, our reliance on research grants, current and future competition, and other risks described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
SOURCE: Lpath, Inc.
Post Views: 170
