AlphaOne Pharmaceuticals Announces an Agreement with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for Breast and Prostate Cancer Suppressor Gene.Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--July 11, 2000 AlphaOne Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has signed an agreement with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to commercialize the tumor suppressor gene tumor suppressor gene n. A gene that suppresses cellular proliferation. When inherited in a mutated state, it is associated with the development of various cancers, including most familial cancers. Also called antioncogene. for maspin, a family member of serine protease inhibitors. The gene encoding maspin has been identified by Dana-Farber to inhibit tumor cell growth, invasion, and metastasis metastasis /me·tas·ta·sis/ (me-tas´tah-sis) pl. metas´tases 1. transfer of disease from one organ or part of the body to another not directly connected with it, due either to transfer of pathogenic microorganisms or to in breast and prostate cancer. "This agreement complements our in-licensing strategy, which aims to build a product pipeline in protease inhibitors and recombinant proteins," said Martin Preuveneers, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of AlphaOne. "Our yeast manufacturing system has been developed to the point where we can exploit the known biological activity profile of this tumor suppressor protein through preclinical and into human clinical studies." Maspin occurs naturally in the cells of healthy breast tissue and helps maintain the normal tissue state. Dana-Farber has shown previously that the maspin gene encodes a tumor suppressor protein that becomes lost or silenced causing breast and prostate cancer cells to progress into their highly malignant and metastatic Metastatic The term used to describe a secondary cancer, or one that has spread from one area of the body to another. Mentioned in: Coagulation Disorders metastatic pertaining to or of the nature of a metastasis. phases. Further research in preclinical animal studies has shown that not only can maspin, produced by genetic engineering techniques, stop the growth and spread of metastatic tumors, but that the protein is also capable of inhibiting angiogenesis, the development of a blood supply to growing tumors. "We are delighted to add this program to our product development pipeline. The recent announcement of the completion of the human genome map was described by many as `the race to the starting line.' In other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , some genes will prove to be of vastly greater importance than others in the understanding and treatment of specific human diseases," said Philip J. Barr, Ph.D., AlphaOne's President and Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president. . "We feel that maspin is a significant gene within the human genome for impacting breast and prostate diseases." About AlphaOne Pharmaceuticals, Inc. AlphaOne is a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of protease inhibitors for therapeutic applications. Its lead indications are for the treatment of hereditary emphysema emphysema (ĕmfĭsē`mə), pathological or physiological enlargement or overdistention of the air sacs of the lungs. A major cause of pulmonary insufficiency in chronic cigarette smokers, emphysema is a progressive disease that commonly and asthma using the protein protease inhibitor alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) A blood component that breaks down infection-fighting enzymes such as elastase. Mentioned in: Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease ), the prototypic member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily superfamily /su·per·fam·i·ly/ (soo´per-fam?i-le) 1. a taxonomic category between an order and a family. 2. known as serpins. Maspin is one of the more recently discovered members of the serpin superfamily. About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (www.dana-farber.net) is among the leading cancer research and care facilities in the United States and is the only center in New England to be both a federally-d esignated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a Center for AIDS Research. NOTE: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with clinical development, regulatory approvals, product commercialization and other risks described from time to time in offering documents prepared by AlphaOne. An electronic version of this news release, as well as additional information about AlphaOne, of interest to investors, customers, future employees and patients is available on the AlphaOne Pharmaceuticals' Web site at http://www.alphaonepharm.com. |
|
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion