SuperGen Identifies Lead PIM Kinase Inhibitor, SGI-1776, That Causes Tumor Regression In AML Xenograft Models

Main Category: Lymphoma / Leukemia
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 17 Apr 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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SuperGen Inc. (Nasdaq: SUPG), a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, rapid development and commercialization of therapies for solid tumors and hematological malignancies, announced as part of a series of presentations at the 2008 AACR Annual Meeting that that it has identified a lead PIM kinase inhibitor, SGI-1776, that causes tumor regression in acute myologenous leukemia (AML) xenograft models (Abstract No. 4974).

In an oral presentation entitled, "A potent small molecule PIM kinase inhibitor with activity in cell lines from hematological and solid malignancies," Dr. Steven Warner detailed how scientists used SuperGen's CLIMB(TM) technology to build a model that allowed for the creation of small molecule PIM kinase inhibitors. SGI-1776 was identified as a potent and selective inhibitor of the PIM kinases, inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, thereby causing a reduction in phospho-BAD levels and enhancement of mTOR inhibition in vitro. Most notably, SGI-1776 induced significant tumor regression in MV-4-11 (AML) and MOLM-13 (AML) xenograft models.

"We are encouraged by these promising data. Our PIM kinase inhibitor, SGI-1776, may prove to be a treatment for AML, and other malignancies that over express PIM kinase," said Dr. James Manuso, SuperGen's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The data also provide support for the use of our CLIMB(TM) technology to identify and rapidly advance candidates into the clinic. We plan to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials with SGI-1776 in solid tumors and leukemias later this year. SGI-1776 may become the first drug in this class of inhibitors to enter the clinic."

About SuperGen

Based in Dublin, Calif., SuperGen, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, rapid development and commercialization of therapies for solid tumors and hematological malignancies. SuperGen is developing a number of therapeutic anticancer products focused on kinase and cell signaling inhibitors and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. For more information about SuperGen, please visit http://www.supergen.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are typically preceded by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "will," "may," "should," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in these statements. Factors that might cause the company's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the ability to discover, develop and move target compounds into clinical development and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its most recently filed Form 10-Q and 10-K. SuperGen, Inc. undertakes no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements to conform them to actual results.

SuperGen Inc.
http://www.supergen.com