Competitive Technologies Licensee Moves to Phase I/II Testing of Anti-Angiogenic Ribozyme Technology.FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1999-- Initial studies of Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Ribozyme Ribozyme A ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecule that, like a protein, can catalyze specific biochemical reactions. Examples include self-splicing rRNA and RNase P, both involved in catalyzing RNA processing reactions (that is, the biochemical reactions that convert Demonstrate Potent Anti-viral Activity IND Planned for Filing by End of 1999 Competitive Technologies, Inc. (AMEX AMEX See: American Stock Exchange : CTT CTT Correios (Portuguese Postal Service) CTT Certified Technical Trainer CTT Charity Technology Trust CTT Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' (collaboration) CTT Common Task Training ) today reported progress that has been announced by its licensee, Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RPI RPI - Rockwell Protocol Interface ). RPI, in conjunction with Chiron Corporation, reported in a press release issued on November 16, 1999 the following: "Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: RZYM) and Chiron Corporation (Nasdaq: CHIR CHIR Chiricahua National Monument (US National Park Service) ) announced today the initiation of dosing of patients with Angiozyme TM in a multi-dose Phase I/II clinical trial at the Cleveland Clinic. Angiozyme, an anti-angiozyme ribozyme, has already demonstrated safety and tolerability in single dose Phase Ia studies in normal volunteers and Phase Ib studies in cancer patients. It is the first chemically synthesized ribozyme to have reached this stage of development. Angiozyme is a member of a new class of therapeutics, ribozymes, that are designed to act as "molecular scissors scissors Cutting instrument or tool consisting of a pair of opposed metal blades that meet and cut when the handles at their ends are brought together. Modern scissors are of two types: the more usual pivoted blades have a rivet or screw connection between the cutting ends " and cleave cleat, cleave claw of any cloven-footed animal. target RNA RNA: see nucleic acid. RNA in full ribonucleic acid One of the two main types of nucleic acid (the other being DNA), which functions in cellular protein synthesis in all living cells and replaces DNA as the carrier of genetic in a highly specific manner. In particular, Angiozyme acts by inhibiting the production of the high affinity Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis (the de novo formation of the embryonic circulatory system) and angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature). receptor, thereby cutting off the growth of new blood vessels to tumors and preventing their growth and metastasis." On November 8, 1999, RPI reported that in a recent study presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease, a novel approach utilizing a ribozyme to directly attack Hepatitis C virus
Competitive Technologies has licensed the Nobel prize winning ribozyme technology to Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Under the license, CTT will receive payment of a royalty on sales of ribozyme products and will receive a share of certain income received by RPI from sublicensees such as product sales royalties, option fees, pre-paid royalties or other front-end licensing fees. About Competitive Technologies, Inc. Competitive Technologies is a global leader in identifying, developing and commercializing innovative life sciences, physical sciences and digital technologies. Competitive Technologies' specialized expertise and experience make it a valuable partner for companies and universities of all sizes. CTT has been responsible for closing hundreds of licensing agreements. CTT clients include: SONY, Lucent Technologies, Matsushita Electric Industrial and Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Competitive Technologies, Inc. is based in Fairfield, Connecticut and has affiliates in Osaka, Japan and London, England. Statements about the Company's future expectations, including development and regulatory plans, and all other statements in this document other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Federal Securities Laws and are not guarantees of future performance. These statements involve risks and uncertainties related to market acceptance of and competition for the Company's licensed technologies and other risks and uncertainties inherent in CTT's business, including those set forth in Item 1 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 1999 and other factors that may be described in CTT's filings with the SEC, and are subject to change at any time. The Company's actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement. |
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