Xanthus' Symadex Reverses Disease In Preclinical Mouse Models Of Multiple Sclerosis

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 18 Apr 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. presented data demonstrating that SymadexTM, a selective FLT3 inhibitor, acted to reverse disease in mouse models of both acute and chronic multiple sclerosis. Biomarkers of macrophage and dendritic cells showed a significant correction back towards the baseline levels found in healthy control animals. The results were presented in a poster session by Stephen J. Karlik, Ph.D., Professor of Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, together with researchers from Xanthus at the 60th American Academy of Neurology Meeting in Chicago, IL.

Using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, the effect of Symadex was evaluated during both the acute and chronic phases of EAE in the mouse models. A partial, concentration-dependant decrease in clinical signs was observed in the acute prevention experiment, and chronic treatment resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of clinical scores. Plasma titers in a combined treatment group versus disease controls showed significant changes with a trend towards restoring baseline levels of biomarkers found in naïve controls. Symadex has previously shown therapeutic benefit in both the acute and chronic stages of the guinea pig EAE model as well as a similar effect on innate cell biomarkers.

"This study adds to the growing body of work supporting the ability of Symadex to potentially prevent and reverse chronic disease in animal models of multiple sclerosis," said Dr. Karlik. "The evidence that Symadex targets innate immune cell function in the treatment of MS is encouraging and is a foundation for the Company's continued work on Symadex in autoimmune models."

About Symadex™

Symadex (formerly C-1311) is the lead compound in clinical development from a new series of agents, the imidazoacridinones, which have shown in vitro to be potent and selective FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Xanthus is exploring the use of Symadex and follow-on compounds for the treatment of a number of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. Early preclinical data has shown encouraging signs of activity in models of autoimmune disease. Given the compound's safety profile and oral availability, Xanthus believes Symadex represents an exciting drug opportunity.

About Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is developing a portfolio of novel, clinical-stage, small-molecule therapeutic candidates through a management team whose accomplished track record encompasses all aspects of drug development, from discovery through regulatory approval and commercialization. The Company is applying its expertise to advance its current pipeline to address significant unmet medical need in oncology and autoimmune diseases.

Xanthus is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts with an additional facility in Montreal, Quebec. More information is available at http://www.xanthus.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Xanthus that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words, "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "should," "could," "will," "may," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Xanthus' actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including risks as to whether results obtained in early clinical studies or in preclinical studies such as the studies referred to above will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials or warrant additional trials; whether products based on Xanthus' technology will advance through the clinical trial process and receive approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether the company will have the cash resources to develop and commercialize its products; and whether the patent and patent applications owned or licensed by Xanthus will protect the Company's technology and prevent others from infringing it. Xanthus disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.