Curis Issued U.S. Patent Covering Methods to Inhibit Hedgehog Pathway and Prevent the Growth of Certain Cancers.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2004 Curis, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRIS) today announced that it was issued U.S. patent 6,686,388, entitled "Regulators of the Hedgehog Pathway, Compositions and Uses Related Thereto." The claims of this patent cover methods of inhibiting the altered growth of cells that occurs as a result of abnormal activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway The hedgehog signaling pathway is one of the key regulators of animal development conserved from flies to humans. The pathway takes its name from its polypeptide ligand, an intercellular signaling molecule called Hedgehog (Hh) found in fruit flies of the genus Drosophila. . Abnormal Hedgehog pathway activation has been implicated im·pli·cate tr.v. im·pli·cat·ed, im·pli·cat·ing, im·pli·cates 1. To involve or connect intimately or incriminatingly: evidence that implicates others in the plot. 2. in the progression of several cancers, including basal cell carcinoma basal cell carcinoma n. A slow-growing, locally invasive, but rarely metastasizing neoplasm of the skin derived from basal cells of the epidermis or hair follicles. Also called basal cell epithelioma. , lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. , medulloblastoma, 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. , cancers associated with gastrointestinal tract gastrointestinal tract n. The part of the digestive system consisting of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Gastrointestinal tract , and others. In June 2003, Curis exclusively licensed this patent and other related patents and patent applications associated with Hedgehog pathway inhibition to Genentech, Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. ). Under the terms of the agreement, Genentech paid Curis a license fee and will make cash payments to Curis upon the successful achievement of clinical development and drug approval milestones. Genentech will also pay Curis a royalty on potential future net product sales. As part of the agreement with Genentech, Curis has retained a co-development option for the field of basal cell carcinoma in the U.S. market, pursuant to which both Curis and Genentech would co-fund program development and share a percentage of any operating profit Operating profit (or loss) Revenue from a firm's regular activities less costs and expenses and before income deductions. operating profit See operating income. . Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 800,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Dr. Lee Rubin, Curis' Chief Scientific Officer, commented, "All of the preclinical evidence that we have to date indicates that inhibition of the Hedgehog pathway in cells where it is being abnormally activated results in the selective and specific death of the tumor cells while conferring no harm to adjacent normal cells. This selectivity contrasts with more traditional cancer treatments that often kill both cancer cells and normal cells. We believe that the ability to selectively kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact represents the next generation of cancer treatments that are in development." Daniel Passeri, Curis' President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased that the development of the Hedgehog pathway inhibition technologies is under the direction of Genentech. Genentech's proven expertise in the development of specifically targeted cancer therapeutics should provide the most effective clinical path forward for Curis' drug candidates." About Curis, Inc. Curis, Inc. is a therapeutic drug development company. The Company's technology focus is on regulatory pathways that control repair and regeneration. Curis' product development involves the use of proteins or small molecules to modulate these pathways. Curis has successfully used this technology and product development approach to produce several promising drug product candidates in the fields of kidney disease, neurological disorders, cancer, alopecia alopecia (ăl'əpē`shēə): see baldness. , and cardiovascular disease. For more information, please visit the Curis web site at www.curis.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995, including statements concerning Curis' or management's intentions, plans, expectations or predictions of future events. Such statements may contain the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates" or similar expressions. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Actual results can be affected by, among other things, uncertainties relating to product development, clinical trials, regulatory actions or delays, the ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection, changes in or an inability to execute Curis' realigned business strategy and other risk factors identified in Curis' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Curis disclaims any intention or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release. |
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