Idera Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication Of Studies On Chemistry Of Novel Antagonists For Toll-like Receptors 7 And 9

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 07 Jan 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA) announced the publication of studies on the chemistry of novel compounds that have been shown to act as antagonists for Toll-like Receptors (TLR) 7 and 9. These antagonist candidates have potential application in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The paper entitled "Oligodeoxyribonucleotide-Based Antagonists for Toll-Like Receptors 7 and 9" is published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (December 2008, online ahead of print) and is authored by Daqing Wang, Ph.D., Lakshmi Bhagat, Ph.D., Dong Yu, Ph.D., Fu-Gang Zhu, Ph.D., Jimmy Tang, M.S., Ekambar Kandimalla, Ph.D., and Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil., all of Idera.

"These novel antagonist candidates have been created through our ongoing structure-activity relationship studies of oligonucleotides, through which we have also identified agonists of TLR7, 8 and 9," said Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. "We have evaluated selected antagonist candidates in preclinical models of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and colitis, and studies continue in additional preclinical models of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases."

"Based on encouraging results in preclinical models, we are conducting preclinical development studies with our lead TLR antagonist drug candidate, IMO-3100, for an intended Investigational New Drug application," said Tim Sullivan, Ph.D., Vice President of Development Programs. "Members of our Autoimmune Disease Scientific Advisory Board are assisting us in the clinical development strategy for IMO-3100 and other antagonist candidates in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases."

About IMO-3100

IMO-3100 is an antagonist drug candidate currently undergoing preclinical development studies for an intended Investigational New Drug application. Idera's antagonists of Toll-like Receptors (TLR) are based on synthetic DNA and have been created through extensive structure-activity relationship studies. IMO-3100 has been shown in preclinical assays to suppress immune responses mediated through TLR7 and TLR9. IMO-3100 has been studied in preclinical models of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and colitis. Evaluation of our TLR antagonists in additional preclinical models of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is in progress.

About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Idera Pharmaceuticals develops drug candidates to treat infectious diseases, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases, and for use as vaccine adjuvants. Our proprietary drug candidates are designed to modulate specific Toll-like Receptors, which are a family of immune system receptors that direct immune system responses. Our pioneering DNA and RNA chemistry expertise enables us to create drug candidates for internal development and generates opportunities for multiple collaborative alliances. For more information, visit http://www.iderapharma.com.

Idera Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 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 the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including 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 the Company's technology will advance into or through the clinical trial process on a timely basis or at all and receive approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether, if the Company's products receive approval, they will be successfully distributed and marketed; whether the Company's collaborations with Novartis, Merck & Co., Inc. and Merck KGaA will be successful; whether the patents and patent applications owned or licensed by the Company will protect the Company's technology and prevent others from infringing it; whether the Company's cash resources will be sufficient to fund the its operations; and such other important factors as are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2008, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.