Patent issues to EntreMed for cancer/arthritis therapeutic.

EntreMed, Inc. (Rockville, MD), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, announced the issuance of United States Patent 7,087,592 covering composition of matter for purified 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2). 2ME2 is currently in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for cancer (Panzem), as well as in preclinical development for rheumatoid arthritis. This patent further strengthens EntreMed's intellectual property protection for 2ME2 to include highly purified compositions and extends the patent life for 2ME2 to 2022.

The patent, entitled "Compositions Comprising Purified 2-Methoxyestradiol and Methods of Producing Same," contains claims granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office covering pharmaceutical compositions comprising 2ME2 having purities greater than 98.0%, 99% and 99.5% that are substantially free of steroid and other contaminants. In addition, the patent also covers methods for obtaining purified 2ME2 by synthetic and purification techniques. The patent covering high-purity 2ME2 resulted from discoveries by EntreMed scientists.

Potential therapeutic uses of 2ME2 in oncology, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular and other diseases require a high level of purity in order to achieve their maximum benefits. Compositions of 2ME2 that are less than 98%, 99% and 99.5% pure contain estradiol or other steroid contaminants that can have estrogenic or carcinogenic effects. Pharmaceutical formulations containing these contaminants would not be suitable for development in cancer, inflammatory, cardiovascular, and other diseases.

James S. Burns, President & Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The issuance of this patent covering composition of matter claims for purified 2ME2 represents a significant milestone for EntreMed. We now have issued patents for Panzem, our lead clinical candidate, covering composition, methods and uses across a broad range of diseases. We demonstrated that high-purity 2ME2 is a novel composition that can be produced to 99.5% purity through synthetic or purification methods, decreasing the potential for undesirable side effects. The essence of our technology is that highly purified 2ME2 contributes to its pharmaceutical activity while reducing estrogenic components remaining from the manufacturing process."

Mr. Burns further commented, "We believe that high purity 2ME2 is essential to commercializing Panzem and we are proceeding forward with development on that basis. The patent term has been extended to 2022 to cover delays in the appeal process. We believe that we now have a very strong intellectual property position to support continuing development of Panzem."

2ME2 is a novel anticancer agent, which is in clinical development as part of a next generation of antimitotic cancer drugs that bind to tubulin and work through multiple cellular pathways. 2ME2 can attack tumors on multiple fronts -- directly by disrupting microtubules (an intracellular matrix necessary for the rapid division of cancer cells), by inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis), and by blocking blood vessels that feed tumors (angiogenesis inhibition).

EntreMed is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutic candidates primarily for the treatment of cancer and inflammation. Panzem (2-methoxyestradiol or 2ME2), the company's lead drug candidate, is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for cancer, as well as in preclinical development for rheumatoid arthritis. MKC-1, an oral cell cycle regulator, is in Phase 2 studies for metastatic breast cancer. ENMD-1198, a novel tubulin binding agent, is also in Phase 1 studies in advanced cancers. EntreMed's goal is to develop and commercialize new compounds based on the company's expertise in angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation and inflammation -- processes vital to the treatment of cancer and other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

EntreMed, Inc.

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www.entremed.com