DiaMedica announces data from its monoclonal antibody (mAb) program targeting glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B), a key cell signaling enzyme implicated in diabetes, as well as cancer and viral infections
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA | January 17, 2011 | DiaMedica (TSX-V:DMA – News) today announces data from its monoclonal antibody (mAb) program targeting glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B), a key cell signaling enzyme implicated in diabetes, as well as cancer and viral infections.
In work conducted at Charles River Laboratories, the mAb potently inhibited GSK3B leading to the killing of prostate, pancreatic, stomach and mixed lineage leukemia cancer cells in in vitro studies. Importantly, only the cancer cell lines that are dependent on GSK3B activity for survival were killed by the mAb, and not the non-GSK3B dependent cell lines tested. Demonstrating the potent and targeted activity of the mAb. Our leading cancer target was found to be prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer in men. The mAb was able to kill a highly metastatic androgen refractory prostate cancer cell line at an EC50 value within one log of cisplatin, a highly toxic chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
"DiaMedica’s approach to blocking GSK3B is unique and highly differentiated from, to our knowledge, all other drugs in development to this target which are small molecule inhibitors. Our antibody causes activation of a critical signaling pathway, which we believe results in a specific and profound downstream inhibition of GSK3B. This may lead to superior activity and safety of our mAb as compared to small molecule GSK3B inhibitors", commented Dr. Mark Williams, VP Research of DiaMedica.
"While the primary focus of DiaMedica’s mAb program is diabetes, these additional studies support the potentially broad utility of our GSK3B inhibiting antibody in several indications, including cancer. DiaMedica anticipates reporting data on diabetes and other diseases in the coming months", stated Rick Pauls, Chairman and CEO of DiaMedica. "We expect that results from these studies will provide opportunities to partner our exceptional mAb program for numerous diseases while still maintaining our company focus on diabetes.
About DiaMedica
DiaMedica is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for diabetes and other disorders. Two of DiaMedica’s products, DM-71 and DM-99 have demonstrated phase II human efficacy in lowering blood glucose levels in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
DiaMedica’s lead product DM-199 is an improved, recombinant form of the naturally-occurring DM-99 to treat diabetes while also demonstrating activity in neurological and autoimmune disorders. The Company has shown that DM-99, the naturally-occurring form of DM-199, confers neural protection (protects brain cells) and triggers neural stem cell proliferation (creates brain cells) for the treatment of numerous neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
SOURCE: DiaMedica Inc.
Post Views: 51
DiaMedica announces data from its monoclonal antibody (mAb) program targeting glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B), a key cell signaling enzyme implicated in diabetes, as well as cancer and viral infections
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA | January 17, 2011 | DiaMedica (TSX-V:DMA – News) today announces data from its monoclonal antibody (mAb) program targeting glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B), a key cell signaling enzyme implicated in diabetes, as well as cancer and viral infections.
In work conducted at Charles River Laboratories, the mAb potently inhibited GSK3B leading to the killing of prostate, pancreatic, stomach and mixed lineage leukemia cancer cells in in vitro studies. Importantly, only the cancer cell lines that are dependent on GSK3B activity for survival were killed by the mAb, and not the non-GSK3B dependent cell lines tested. Demonstrating the potent and targeted activity of the mAb. Our leading cancer target was found to be prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer in men. The mAb was able to kill a highly metastatic androgen refractory prostate cancer cell line at an EC50 value within one log of cisplatin, a highly toxic chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
"DiaMedica’s approach to blocking GSK3B is unique and highly differentiated from, to our knowledge, all other drugs in development to this target which are small molecule inhibitors. Our antibody causes activation of a critical signaling pathway, which we believe results in a specific and profound downstream inhibition of GSK3B. This may lead to superior activity and safety of our mAb as compared to small molecule GSK3B inhibitors", commented Dr. Mark Williams, VP Research of DiaMedica.
"While the primary focus of DiaMedica’s mAb program is diabetes, these additional studies support the potentially broad utility of our GSK3B inhibiting antibody in several indications, including cancer. DiaMedica anticipates reporting data on diabetes and other diseases in the coming months", stated Rick Pauls, Chairman and CEO of DiaMedica. "We expect that results from these studies will provide opportunities to partner our exceptional mAb program for numerous diseases while still maintaining our company focus on diabetes.
About DiaMedica
DiaMedica is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for diabetes and other disorders. Two of DiaMedica’s products, DM-71 and DM-99 have demonstrated phase II human efficacy in lowering blood glucose levels in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
DiaMedica’s lead product DM-199 is an improved, recombinant form of the naturally-occurring DM-99 to treat diabetes while also demonstrating activity in neurological and autoimmune disorders. The Company has shown that DM-99, the naturally-occurring form of DM-199, confers neural protection (protects brain cells) and triggers neural stem cell proliferation (creates brain cells) for the treatment of numerous neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
SOURCE: DiaMedica Inc.
Post Views: 51
