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Novel Drug Candidate
Novel Drug Candidate.
About this update from Immupharma Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n Immupharma PLC\n08 January 2008\n\n\n\n\n\nFor Immediate Release 8 January 2008\n\n\n ImmuPharma PLC\n\n ImmuPharma enters oncology with novel potential blockbuster drug\n for multiple cancer indications\n\n\nImmuPharma PLC (LSE:IMM), ('ImmuPharma' or the 'Company'), the specialist drug\ndiscovery and development company, announces today that, as part of its ongoing\nresearch collaboration with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique\n('CNRS'), France's scientific research institution, it has taken the rights for\nthe worldwide development and commercialization of a novel drug candidate for\ncancer..\n\nThe molecule, code-named IPP-204106, has a dual mechanism of action, acting both\nin preventing angiogenesis as well as proliferation. IPP-204106 is a nucleolin\nantagonist, the lead molecule in a family of pseudopeptides designed to block\nthe activity of a protein called nucleolin. Located essentially in the nucleus\nof normal cells where it is protected, nucleolin is much more abundant (often\n100 times more) at the surface of the cells which are proliferating as well as\nthe surface of active endothelial cells where it can be a target for antagonist\npeptides.\n\nCell surface expressed nucleolin is involved in the proliferation processes as\nwell as in cell transformation. It is also a receptor for many growth factors\nand plays a key role in angiogenesis. Nucleolin antagonists have therefore both\nanti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative properties.\n\nPreclinical data have shown that nucleolin antagonists inhibit the growth of\ntumours and metastasis in many cancer types. They prevent the implantation of\ntumours and block angiogenesis. They also inhibit the proliferation of certain\ntypes of leukaemia cells. Based on the mechanism of action nucleolin antagonists\nare active as long as surface nucleolin is present, irrespective of the type of\ncancer. Preliminary data have also shown the absence of toxicity.\n\nIn addition to their efficacy as stand-alone agents, nucleolin antagonists may\nalso have a use as selective carriers for cytotoxic drugs and the company has\nfiled patents accordingly.\n\nImmuPharma is planning to complete the formal preclinical development this year\nwith a Phase I expected to start by year end.\n\nDr Robert Zimmer, MD, PhD, ImmuPharma's Chief Scientific Officer, explained:\n'Most drugs f...