British Biotech plc -"British Biotech"- Marimastat Update.Business Editors OXFORD, U.K.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2001 British Biotech (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :BBIOY) British Biotech today announced: - Interim analysis of remaining marimastat phase III trials - Study 183, in patients with resected pancreatic cancer, continues - Study 173, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, terminated - Long term follow-up of Study 145, in patients with gastric cancer Interim analysis of Phase III trial data British Biotech has conducted interim analyses of its two remaining phase III clinical trials of the oral matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPI MMPI abbr. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory MMPI Child psychiatry A personality assessment tool widely used in making psychologic evaluations, which is normally given at age 16 and older. Personality testing ), marimastat, to determine whether there would be potential benefit to patients by continuing these studies. The two trials are Study 173, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Definition Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a disease in which the cells of the lung tissues grow uncontrollably and form tumors. Description There are two kinds of lung cancers, primary and secondary. , and Study 183, in patients with resected pancreatic cancer pancreatic cancer Malignant tumour of the pancreas. Risk factors include smoking, a diet high in fat, exposure to certain industrial products, and diseases such as diabetes and chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic cancer is more common in men. . British Biotech and its licensing partner, Schering-Plough Corporation, agreed to a set of pre-defined criteria for stopping the trials if no benefit was demonstrated. Data analysis of Study 173 showed that it met the pre-defined criteria for stopping. Accordingly, investigators and patients have been informed that this trial has been terminated. Conversely, Study 183 is being continued as the data from this trial did not meet the stopping criteria. Long-term, follow-up of Study 145, in patients with gastric cancer gastric cancer Stomach cancer, see there At the Fourth International Gastric Cancer Conference, held in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of on April 30, 2001, Mr John Whiting, MB, FRCS FRCS Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. FRCS abbr. Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons , presented 'Marimastat as Maintenance Therapy for Patients with Advanced Gastric or Gastro-oesophageal Cancer: A Randomized ran·dom·ize tr.v. ran·dom·ized, ran·dom·iz·ing, ran·dom·iz·es To make random in arrangement, especially in order to control the variables in an experiment. Trial'. The presentation analyzed long-term (24-month), follow-up of patients in the marimastat phase III Study 145. Study 145 was originally reported in August 1999 and, although the primary endpoint was not met, demonstrated a survival benefit for marimastat. These long-term data demonstrated that patients treated with marimastat continue to show survival benefit compared with those who received placebo. British Biotech chief executive Dr Elliot Goldstein, said: "Study 183 continues because we cannot rule out some potential benefit of marimastat in this setting. However, it is not possible, at this stage, to reach any conclusions about the eventual outcome of the trial. The future direction of the MMPI cancer program is the subject of ongoing discussion with our licensing partner Schering-Plough and with external experts." This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Any such statements reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of pharmaceutical research, product development, clinical research, the regulatory approval process, product commercialization and patent protection and the impact of competitive products and third party patents. The risks and uncertainties also include those detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports. Note to Editors About British Biotech British Biotech is a research and development stage biopharmaceutical company. Its strategy is to build shareholder value by exploiting its proprietary programs in metalloenzyme inhibition; by discovering and developing new classes of antibiotics; and by working in collaboration with other biotech companies to develop specialist drugs for the treatment of serious illness and retaining commercialization rights for niche markets. The Company comprises two distinct businesses: a Product Portfolio of six drugs with potential to treat up to 10 serious diseases; and an Antibiotic Program which is capable of yielding multiple product opportunities. Product Portfolio BB-10901 Collaboration with ImmunoGen Inc, USA; targeted at small cell lung cancer Lung Cancer, Small Cell Definition Small cell lung cancer is a disease in which the cells of the lung tissues grow uncontrollably and form tumors. Description Lung cancer is divided into two main types: small cell and non-small cell. . E21R Collaboration with BresaGen Ltd, Australia; targeted at acute myeloid myeloid /my·eloid/ (mi´e-loid) 1. medullary; pertaining to, derived from, or resembling bone marrow or the spinal cord. 2. having the appearance of myelocytes, but not derived from bone marrow. leukaemia; other leukaemias; rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid arthritis Chronic, progressive autoimmune disease causing connective-tissue inflammation, mostly in synovial joints. It can occur at any age, is more common in women, and has an unpredictable course. . BB-2827 Collaboration with Serono SA, Switzerland; targeted at rheumatoid arthritis, periodontal disease Periodontal Disease Definition Periodontal diseases are a group of diseases that affect the tissues that support and anchor the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease results in the destruction of the gums, alveolar bone (the part of the jaws where . BB-76163 Collaboration with Serono; targeted at multiple sclerosis; cancer. BB-10153 Targeted at heart attack/stroke (thrombosis). Batimastat BiodivYsio(TM) stent Collaboration with Biocompatibles International plc, UK; targeted at vascular restenosis. Antibiotic Program British Biotech's research into the use of metalloenzyme inhibitors in antibiotics is capable of yielding product opportunities in a number of fields. Polypeptide polypeptide: see peptide. deformylase inhibitors are in development for common respiratory infections such as community-acquired pneumonia. LpxC inhibitors are in pre-development as potential treatments for gram negative bacteria such as those causing urinary tract infections. Also under way are research programs into treatments for severe hospital-based infections and broad-spectrum antibiotics. |
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