Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces the Licensing of Cancer Platform Technology and Signing of Collaborative Research Agreement with Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University.Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BW HealthWire)--June 6, 2000 Panacea Steps Up Development of Lead Compounds for Brain Tumors and Liver Cancers Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the signing of both a License Agreement and a Collaborative Research Agreement with Rhode Island Rhode Island, island, United States Rhode Island, island, 15 mi (24 km) long and 5 mi (8 km) wide, S R.I., at the entrance to Narragansett Bay. It is the largest island in the state, with steep cliffs and excellent beaches. Hospital/Brown University for Human Aspartyl (Asparaginyl) Beta-Hydroxylase (HAAH). The over-expression of HAAH is associated with the transformation of normal cells to malignant tumors. In animal studies, levels of the enzyme Aspartyl (Asparaginyl) Beta-Hydroxylase are markedly increased in tumors. When the gene for this enzyme is inserted into normal cells and the over-expression of the enzyme is initiated, the cells transform into cancer cells. The injection of cells containing the gene for the enzyme into mice causes tumor formation whereas non-transfected cells do not produce tumors. Previously published studies have shown the over-expression of HAAH in 100% of human cholangiocarcinomas, but not in regenerating bile duct bile duct or biliary duct n. Any of the excretory ducts in the liver that convey bile between the liver and the intestine, including the hepatic, cystic, and common bile ducts. Also called gall duct. bile duct 1. cells. Moreover, increased levels of HAAH have been observed in breast cancer, colon cancer colon cancer, cancer of any part of the colon (often called the large intestine). Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. , and hepatocellular carcinomas, some of the most prevalent tumors in the world. "Both the preliminary and animal data suggest that HAAH could potentially provide the breakthrough needed in both diagnostic testing Diagnostic testing Testing performed to determine if someone is affected with a particular disease. Mentioned in: Von Willebrand Disease and treatment for these and other cancers," said Dr. Jack R. Wands, the Principal Investigator at Rhode Island Hospital Rhode Island Hospital is a private, not-for-profit hospital located in Providence, Rhode Island. The hospital has 719 beds, and an acute care hospital and an academic medical center. Rhode Island Hospital was founded during the American Civil War in 1863. . Dr. Wands is currently Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at Lifespan Rhode Island Academic Medical Center, Director of the Liver Research Center, Professor of Medicine at Brown University School of Medicine, and Head of the Gastroenterology Section at Brown University. "We are currently studying the role of HAAH in central nervous system neoplasms and its utility as a target in drug development for brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme glioblastoma mul·ti·for·me n. A virulent brain cancer that is usually fatal. ," said Suzanne de la Monte, M.D., the neuropathologist on Brown's research team. Dr. de la Monte is currently Associate Professor of Medicine, Pathology, and Pathobiology pathobiology /patho·bi·ol·o·gy/ (-bi-ol´ah-je) pathology. path·o·bi·ol·o·gy n. The study or practice of pathology with greater emphasis on the biological than on the medical aspects. at Brown University School of Medicine/Rhode Island Hospital. Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has exclusive worldwide commercialization rights for the use of HAAH in human cancers through its License Agreement with Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University. The Collaborative Research Agreement for HAAH, also with Rhode Island Hospital, grants Panacea commercialization rights to all future developments. "Panacea is actively pursuing the development of pre-clinical candidates for brain tumor therapy and lead compounds for liver cancers using established HAAH-based in vitro in vitro /in vi·tro/ (in ve´tro) [L.] within a glass; observable in a test tube; in an artificial environment. in vi·tro adj. In an artificial environment outside a living organism. and in vivo in vivo /in vi·vo/ (ve´vo) [L.] within the living body. in vi·vo adj. Within a living organism. in vivo adv. models," said Hossein A. Ghanbari, Ph.D., President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Panacea. "Our strategy is to outsource and form strategic partnerships to maximize multi-cancer drug development that will affect the course of these diseases." "Panacea is also developing HAAH-based diagnostic tests for several cancers, particularly glioblastoma multiforme, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic cancer. Early and accurate diagnosis of these cancers have to date been elusive and are critical for the possibility of current treatments to be effective," said Kasra Ghanbari, Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president. of Panacea. "We envision that these tests would also be used for prognosis and in the further evaluation of our drug candidates." Panacea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. focuses on developing and utilizing protein-based technologies to detect and identify changes associated with and involved in diseases of the central nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and Lewy Body diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Changes in disease-relevant proteins by altered expression, post-translational modification, and functional variation are utilized to develop diagnostic tests and therapeutic agents. More information will soon be available at www.PanaceaPharma.com, a web site developed by Ei Web Promotion, a subsidiary of eiCommunications.com, Inc and a member of the eiCommunications.com Network, which offers integrated communications and web development solutions for the Information Age. |
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