Antimalaria Data On PolyMedix Antimicrobial Compounds Presented At Malaria Keystone Conference

Main Category: Tropical Diseases
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 25 Mar 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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PolyMedix, Inc. (OTC BB: PYMX, http://www.polymedix.com), an emerging biotechnology company developing acute care products for infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, announced that data on its defensin-mimetic antimicrobial compounds is being presented at the Malaria Keystone Conference: Drug Discovery for Protozoan Parasites in Breckenridge, Colorado. The poster presentation is being given by Dr. Doron Greenbaum of the University of Pennsylvania on Monday March 23 at 11:15 a.m.

Titled "Small Molecule Mimetics of Antimicrobial Peptides as Antimalarials", the poster presentation describes in vitro (pre-clinical) studies by Dr. Greenbaum with PolyMedix's small molecule defensin-mimetic antimicrobial compounds. Dr. Greenbaum's studies showed that the compounds are active against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite which causes malaria. The studies also show an over 180-fold selectivity versus a variety of mammalian cells, indicating a potentially high degree of safety. The studies also explore the potential mechanism of action of the compounds. Animal testing of the compounds has now been initiated.

About PolyMedix, Inc.

PolyMedix is a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on the development of novel drugs and biomaterials for the treatment of infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders. PolyMedix's compounds are based on biomimetics: non-peptide small molecule candidates that mimic the activity of proteins. The Company's antibiotic compounds, including PMX-30063 - small molecule mimetics of human host-defense proteins - have a completely different mechanism of action from current antibiotic drugs, a mechanism which is intended to make bacterial resistance unlikely to develop. The Company's goal is to develop these compounds as rapidly acting antibiotics for serious systemic and local infections. The Company plans to continue the development of polymeric formulations as antimicrobial biomaterials, which can be used as additives to paints, plastics, and textiles to create self-sterilizing products and surfaces. The Company's heptagonist compounds, including PMX-60056, reverse the activity of both heparin and low molecular weight heparins, with the goal of developing an antagonist drug that is safer and easier to use than currently approved therapy. For more information, please visit PolyMedix on its website at http://www.polymedix.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and that could cause PolyMedix's actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward looking statements. PolyMedix has in some cases identified forward-looking statements by using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "hopes," "estimates," "looks," "expects," "plans," "intends", "goal", "potential," "may," "suggest," and similar expressions. Among other things, there can be no assurance that PolyMedix's compounds will enter or successfully complete clinical testing or be granted regulatory approval to be sold and marketed in the Unites States or elsewhere. A more complete description of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions is included in PolyMedix's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. PolyMedix undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

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PolyMedix, Inc

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