- Antagonist Compounds Have Potential Application in Autoimmune and Inflammatory
Diseases -
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA) today announced the publication of
studies on the chemistry of novel compounds that have been shown to act as
antagonists for Toll-like Receptors (TLR) 7 and 9. These antagonist candidates
have potential application in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The paper
entitled "Oligodeoxyribonucleotide-Based Antagonists for Toll-Like Receptors 7
and 9" is published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (December 2008, online
ahead of print) and is authored by Daqing Wang, Ph.D., Lakshmi Bhagat, Ph.D.,
Dong Yu, Ph.D., Fu-Gang Zhu, Ph.D., Jimmy Tang, M.S., Ekambar Kandimalla, Ph.D.,
and Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil., all of Idera.
"These novel antagonist candidates have been created through our ongoing
structure-activity relationship studies of oligonucleotides, through which we
have also identified agonists of TLR7, 8 and 9," said Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil.,
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. "We have evaluated
selected antagonist candidates in preclinical models of lupus, rheumatoid
arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and colitis, and studies continue in
additional preclinical models of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases."
"Based on encouraging results in preclinical models, we are conducting
preclinical development studies with our lead TLR antagonist drug candidate,
IMO-3100, for an intended Investigational New Drug application," said Tim
Sullivan, Ph.D., Vice President of Development Programs. "Members of our
Autoimmune Disease Scientific Advisory Board are assisting us in the clinical
development strategy for IMO-3100 and other antagonist candidates in autoimmune
and inflammatory diseases."
About IMO-3100
IMO-3100 is an antagonist drug candidate currently undergoing preclinical
development studies for an intended Investigational New Drug application.
Idera`s antagonists of Toll-like Receptors (TLR) are based on synthetic DNA and
have been created through extensive structure-activity relationship studies.
IMO-3100 has been shown in preclinical assays to suppress immune responses
mediated through TLR7 and TLR9. IMO-3100 has been studied in preclinical models
of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and colitis.
Evaluation of our TLR antagonists in additional preclinical models of autoimmune
and inflammatory diseases is in progress.
About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Idera Pharmaceuticals develops drug candidates to treat infectious diseases,
autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases, and for
use as vaccine adjuvants. Our proprietary drug candidates are designed to
modulate specific Toll-like Receptors, which are a family of immune system
receptors that direct immune system responses. Our pioneering DNA and RNA
chemistry expertise enables us to create drug candidates for internal
development and generates opportunities for multiple collaborative alliances.
For more information, visit www.iderapharma.com.
Idera Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For this
purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical
fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the
foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "estimates,"
"intends," "should," "could," "will," "may," and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important
factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from
those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including whether results
obtained in early clinical studies or in preclinical studies such as the studies
referred to above will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical
trials or warrant additional trials; whether products based on the Company's
technology will advance into or through the clinical trial process on a timely
basis or at all and receive approval from the United States Food and Drug
Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether, if the
Company's products receive approval, they will be successfully distributed and
marketed; whether the Company's collaborations with Novartis, Merck & Co., Inc.
and Merck KGaA will be successful; whether the patents and patent applications
owned or licensed by the Company will protect the Company`s technology and
prevent others from infringing it; whether the Company's cash resources will be
sufficient to fund the its operations; and such other important factors as are
set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2008, which important factors are incorporated
herein by reference. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update
any forward-looking statements.
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kelly Luethje, 617-679-5519
kluethje@iderapharma.com
or
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
Chris Erdman, 781-235-3060
cerdman@macbiocom.com
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