Copernicus' Issued U.S. Patent Targets Proteins to Epithelial Cells.

Business Editors, Health/Medical Writers

CLEVELAND--(BW HealthWire)--June 16, 2000

Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the United States Patent Office has issued Fusion Proteins for Protein Delivery, US Patent Number 6,072,041 to Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Copernicus has an exclusive license to this and other technology from CWRU scientist Dr. Pamela Davis.

Mark J. Cooper, M.D., Senior Vice President of Science and Medical Affairs said, "This patent broadly covers a novel fusion protein technology that delivers proteins to the luminal surface of epithelial cells. The fusion protein consists of a single chain antibody fragment that targets any transcytotic receptor (including the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor) and any protein payload. The fusion protein binds to the target receptor and is subsequently released at the luminal or apical surface of the cell. Since the luminal surface of epithelial cells is often the site of infectious and inflammatory disorders, this technology permits development of a new class of smart-drug therapeutics to effectively treat diverse conditions, including cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma."

"Copernicus, through its association with Case Western Reserve University, has established a very broad and enabling position in the field of targeted therapeutics, including proteins, small molecules, and nucleic acids," said Robert C. Moen, M.D., Ph.D., President and COO of Copernicus. "Our intellectual property positions us uniquely in this field. These issued claims cover compositions that target any transcytotic receptor, and any protein can be delivered to sites of disease via this nondegradative pathway. We expect to broadly partner this delivery platform with other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies wishing to exploit the advantages of our proprietary technology."

Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc. is advancing novel targeting and delivery systems with broad applications in human therapeutics and vaccines. Copernicus' technologies include a multi-component delivery platform that can be applied to nucleic acids to develop therapies for a variety of human diseases and a targeting platform enabling the efficient uptake of drugs by specific cells and tissues. The Company's targeting and delivery platforms are complementary and can be combined to enhance the efficacy and safety of existing drugs or to create novel therapeutics.