BIOLINERX LICENSES PEPTIDE FOR INFLAMMATORY DISEASES.BioLineRx Ltd.(TASE TASE Tel Aviv Stock Exchange TASE The All Seeing Eye TASE Tactical Air Support Element TASE Thrust Assessment Support Environment TASE Telecontrol Application Service Elements (IEC communications protocol) :BLRX), Israel's leading drug development company, has signed a worldwide exclusive license agreement with Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Hebrew University of Jerusalem Independent university in Jerusalem, Israel, founded in 1925. The foremost university in Israel, it attracts many Jewish students from abroad; Arab students also attend. , one of the world's leading technology transfer companies, and Ramot at Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv University (TAU, אוניברסיטת תל־אביב, את"א) is Israel's largest on-site university. Ltd., the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University, for the development and commercialization of BL-4020, a novel peptide for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Financial terms of the license were not disclosed. BL-4020 is a peptide designed to function as an anti-inflammatory agent in various inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma and colitis. The peptide mimics ManLAM, a protein from the cell surface of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. ManLAM has been shown to modulate the function of the immune system and suppress various inflammatory diseases. BL-4020, which retains the anti-inflammatory properties of ManLAM, is expected to be effective with low toxicity. In pre-clinical trials conducted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, BL-4020 has been shown to be effective in a wide variety of animal models of inflammation including asthma, colitis among others. "Inflammation is the cause of many significant diseases and we believe that BL-4020 offers the potential for a highly effective and safe therapy utilizing a novel mechanism of action," stated Morris C. Laster, M.D., 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 BioLineRx. "BL-4020 is a promising addition to our rich pipeline of exciting and innovative drug candidates, and we are pleased to continue our fruitful collaborations with both the Hebrew and Tel Aviv Universities." BL-4020 was invented by Professor Hillel Bercovier and Ayelet Barenholz, Ph.D., of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Professor Jonathan Gershoni of the Tel Aviv University. BioLineRx plans to submit the project for funding by the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist Office of the Chief Scientist may refer to:
BIJ Believing in June (band) BIJ Business Insight Japan (magazine) BIJ Business Ink Jet ) under the National Biotech Grant received in November 2004. Nava Swersky Sofer sofer or sopher In Judaism, a scholar-teacher of the 5th–2nd centuries BC who transcribed, edited, and interpreted the Bible. The first sofer was Ezra, who, with his disciples, initiated a tradition of rabbinical scholarship that is still central in , president and CEO of Yissum, commented "Professors Bercovier and Gershoni and Dr. Barenholz's invention holds the promise of dramatically improving patient care. We are excited to once again partner with BioLineRx as they have the resources and abilities to pursue the promise of this compound." Currently, inflammatory diseases are treated mainly with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and many others. Mentioned in: Mastocytosis (NSAIDs), or with steroids, both of which can have severe side-effects. NSAIDs can cause serious gastrointestinal problems when prescribed for long term use and have been associated with about 20% to 30% of all hospital admissions and deaths due to stomach ulcers in patients aged 65 and older. Steroids can induce hormonal imbalance, cause osteoporosis, stomach ulcers, mood swings and a multitude of other adverse effects. BL-4020 is expected to be a promising treatment for numerous inflammatory diseases currently treated with NSAID's and steroids, without causing the undesirable side effects. About BioLineRx BioLineRx, a clinical stage drug development company publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Israel's only stock exchange. (BLRX), is dedicated to building a robust pipeline of promising therapeutics for unmet medical needs. The company's current product pipeline consists of 12 compounds, 3 of which are in or about to start clinical trials. Its lead product, BL-1020, for the treatment of schizophrenia The concept of a cure as such in the treatment of schizophrenia remains controversial, as there is no consensus on the definition of "treatment" in the case of schizophrenia, although some criteria for the remission of symptoms have recently been suggested. , successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials; BL-1040, for the treatment of damaged heart tissue post myocardial infarction, is expected to enter the clinic in the second quarter of 2007. Additional products under development include compounds for the treatment of cancer and CNS See Continuous net settlement. CNS See continuous net settlement (CNS). , cardiovascular, metabolic, infectious and autoimmune diseases. Partnering with researchers, universities and biotech companies to further the commercialization of promising compounds, BioLineRx advances projects from early stage discovery and lead generation to advanced clinical trials, regulatory approval and marketing. The company was founded in 2003 by leaders in the Israeli life science arena including Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Giza, Pitango, Hadasit and the Jerusalem Development Authority. For more information, visit http://www.biolinerx.com or call 212/362-1200. |
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