TargeGen Initiates Multi-Center Phase II Clinical Trial Of TG100801, A Topically Applied Kinase Inhibitor In Macular Degeneration Patients

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 31 Jul 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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TargeGen, Inc. today announced that the Company has initiated a multi-center Phase II clinical trial of topically applied TG100801 in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

AMD is the leading cause of blindness in adults with more than 3.5 million estimated patients worldwide. Currently approved treatments for macular degeneration require repeated injection into the eye and act primarily by reducing VEGF mediated retinal leakage. TG100801 is administered non-invasively as an eye drop and is designed to suppress VEGF mediated leakage and additional kinase targets associated with inflammation, edema, and angiogenesis which are the pathological hallmarks of AMD and other back of the eye diseases including diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

"The initiation of this trial is a significant milestone for TargeGen," stated Peter G. Ulrich, President, CEO and Co-Founder of TargeGen. "TG100801 is an important drug candidate that potentially addresses the leading causes of debilitating vision loss in adults in a more comprehensive way and may eliminate or reduce the requirement for repeated injections into the eye."

In addition to TG100801, TargeGen is developing TG101348, an oral Jak2 inhibitor for the potential treatment of myeloproliferative diseases and TG100115, a PI3K inhibitor for the potential treatment of certain inflammatory disorders. A second topically applied compound for eye disease, TG100948, is in early development.

About TargeGen, Inc.

TargeGen, Inc. is a privately held vascular biology-focused biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, CA. TargeGen primarily develops small molecule kinase inhibitors that target vascular leakage (edema), vascular proliferation (angiogenesis) and inflammation. Edema, angiogenesis and inflammation are involved in the pathology of many major human diseases.

TargeGen initiated operations in 2002 and has raised capital from top tier venture capital sources. Current investors include VantagePoint Venture Partners, Forward Ventures, Enterprise Partners, Chicago Growth Partners, BB BIOTECH, Innovis Investments, H&Q Capital Management, Pappa s Ventures and other investors.

TargeGen, Inc.
http://www.targegen.com

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