Connetics receives patent on TCR technology.PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--March 25, 1997--Connetics Corp. (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 :CNCT CNCT Connect CNCT Certified Network Computer Technician ) today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO or USPTO) is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides patent protection to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property has awarded the company a patent covering T-cell receptor (TCR TCR T cell receptor. ) vaccine technology. The technology has shown potential to treat autoimmune diseases by selectively modulating the body's immune system. The patent granted to Connetics, U.S. Patent Number 5,614,192, is based upon work of inventor and Connetics collaborator, Arthur A. Vandenbark, Ph.D. of Neuroimmunology Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland and Oregon Health Sciences University. Vandenbark's most recent clinical research on TCR peptide vaccines was published in the October 1996 issue of Nature Medicine. The subject of this patent is his discovery that the TCR second complementarity determining region A complementarity determining region (CDR) is a short amino acid sequence found in the variable domains of antigen receptor (e.g. immunoglobulin and T cell receptor) proteins that complements (CDR (1) See CD-R and extension. (2) (Call Detail Reporting) See call accounting. (3) (Common Data Rate) A standard sampling rate for digital video for 480i and 576i systems. The rate is 13.5 MHz. See ITU-R BT. 2) can provide vaccines having greater selectivity and potency for the larger numbers of patients. The claims granted to Connetics cover TCR peptides and functional derivatives encompassing the CDR2 as compositions of matter, formulations (including peptide cocktails) and methods of treatment for T-cell mediated diseases. Connetics is currently investigating its TCR vaccines in a multicenter Phase I/II clinical trial for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and is developing the technology in preclinical studies in rheumatoid arthritis. With early data in these programs, the company is encouraged by the potential therapeutic value of TCR technology as a platform to develop vaccines for other autoimmune and connective tissue diseases. As with other therapeutic vaccines, the TCR technology is being developed to help the body elicit an immunologic response against disease-causing agents. In the case of autoimmune diseases, the disease-causing agents appear to be an uncontrolled subset of T-cells that has become pathogenic. TCR vaccines are believed to help elicit the regulatory response that normally keeps these T-cells from becoming pathogenic by administering one of the key signals used by the immune system to maintain balance. These vaccines offer the potential to arrest the autoimmune process at its earliest stages. As announced yesterday, Connetics is the new name for Connective Therapeutics, Inc., subject to stockholder approval at the company's annual meeting in May 1997. Connetics Corp. is acquiring, developing and marketing products in the areas of rheumatology and dermatology. Ridaura (auranofin) is a marketed treatment for rheumatoid arthritis that Connetics acquired from SmithKline Beecham. Several other products are under development: gamma interferon for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis and keloids Keloids Definition Keloids are overgrowths of fibrous tissue or scars that can occur after an injury to the skin. These heavy scars are also called cheloid or hypertrophic scars. ; betamethasone betamethasone /be·ta·meth·a·sone/ (ba?tah-meth´ah-son) a synthetic glucocorticoid, the most active of the antiinflammatory steroids; used topically as the benzoate, dipropionate, or valerate salts as an antiinflammatory, topically or mousse for the treatment of scalp psoriasis and other scalp dermatoses; ConXn (relaxin re·lax·in n. A female hormone secreted by the corpus luteum that helps soften the cervix and relax the pelvic ligaments in childbirth. relaxin, n ) for the treatment of scleroderma scleroderma or progressive systemic sclerosis Chronic disease that hardens the skin and fixes it to underlying structures. Swelling and collagen buildup lead to loss of elasticity. The cause is unknown. and other fibrotic conditions; and TCR vaccines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the uncertainty of product development and the other factors mentioned in the company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended Dec. 31, 1996 under the heading "Additional Factors That May Affect Future Results." CONTACT: Connetics Corp. Sylvia Wheeler, 415/843-2857 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion