Antipodean Pharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Phase 2 Study of Lead Compound...

Antipodean Pharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Phase 2 Study of Lead
Compound MitoQ(R)
- Full Results to be Presented at European Association for the Study of the
Liver Annual Meeting -

SAN FRANCISCO, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Antipodean Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
announced today that it has completed its Phase 2 study of its lead compound,
MitoQ(R) (mitoquinone) in liver disease. The results of the study will be
presented at The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Annual
Meeting, being held April 23 - 27 in Milan, Italy.
The poster, titled "Phase II Study of the Mitochondrial Antioxidant
Mitoquinone for Hepatitis C," will be presented April 24, 2008. The 28-day
study enrolled 30 patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV), who had not responded
to or were unsuitable for interferon or ribavirin treatment, and measured the
effect of MitoQ(R) on liver function tests. Edward Gane, M.D., Associate
Professor of Medicine, New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit at Auckland City
Hospital, served as principal investigator for the study.
About Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
HCV, a viral infection of the liver, affects over 170 million people
worldwide. Approximately 3 million people in the United States have chronic
Hepatitis C infections; however, the true prevalence may be underestimated,
since newly infected people usually are asymptomatic for many years. HCV
infection is the leading cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and
liver failure. Current treatment strategies focus on achieving a sustained
virologic response, but available therapies have poor side-effect profiles and
eradicate HCV in only approximately 50% of individuals. New novel therapies
for eradicating the HCV virus and slowing the progression of liver scarring
are needed. Evidence shows that HCV can directly alter mitochondrial
function, leading to increased reactive oxygen species (free-radical)
production that can lead to scarring of the liver and cirrhosis.
About MitoQ(R)
MitoQ(R) is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that selectively blocks
mitochondrial oxidative damage and prevents liver cell apoptosis. MitoQ(R) is
based on a novel technology, targeted lipophilic cations that transport and
concentrate antioxidants into the mitochondria -- organelles inside cells that
provide energy for life processes -- where they accumulate up to a thousand
fold.
About Antipodean
Antipodean is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing targeted
molecules that prevent oxidative damage to endothelial, epithelial and liver
cells leading to apoptosis and fibrosis. The company has research
collaborations with pre-clinical and clinical investigators in Cambridge, UK,
Auckland, New Zealand, and several centers in the US to identify and develop
lead compounds through to clinical proof-of-principle. Currently the
company's lead compounds target liver and skin diseases. Antipodean is
located in San Francisco, California. Further information is available at
http://www.antipodeanpharma.com
SOURCE Antipodean Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Charlotte Merckel of Antipodean Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-415-692-0610,
cmerckel@antipodeanpharma.com