US Patent for Novel Therapeutic
Thymectacin
Description And Advantages
NewBiotics Inc announced the issuance
of U.S. Patent 6,245,750 for its novel therapeutic
Thymectacin (NB1011), covering composition and use against
certain cancers, including colon, breast and gastric
cancer. Drug-resistant colorectal cancer is the
first indication to be tested for Thymectacin. The drug
is expected to enter clinical trials late this year
at the University of California, Los Angeles and the
University of Southern California Cancer Centers. NewBiotics
and Elan Corp. plc have formed a joint venture to develop
and commercialize Thymectacin in the United States,
Canada and Europe.
The patent adds to NewBiotics' intellectual
property portfolio for its ECTA (Enzyme Catalyzed Therapeutic
Activation) technology applied to the problem of drug
resistance in both cancer and infectious disease.
"Current cancer therapies often
lead to drug-resistant tumors and toxicity to patients,"
said Dr. Dennis Slamon, chief of hematology and oncology
at the UCLA Cancer Center. "NewBiotics' ECTA technology
exploits enzymes overexpressed in cancer cells, and
will hopefully result in the preferential killing of
the diseased cells with minimal toxicity to the patient."
Application
Therapeutic Thymectacin (NB1011)
is used against certain cancers, including colon, breast
and gastric cancer.
Source: Pharmabiz,
28th June, 2001