Isotechnika Receives Notice of Allowance for mTOR Inhibitor, TAFA93
Edmonton, Alberta, November 21 (ots/PRNewswire)
Isotechnika Inc. (TSX: ISA) today announced the Company has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office based on U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/845,747 for TAFA93, including both composition of matter and methods of use claims. This is the first patent to be issued in the United States for this technology. Furthermore, patents are pending in 15 additional countries relating to TAFA93, the Company's second immunosuppressive drug.
TAFA93, a pro-drug of rapamycin, is a novel small molecule mTOR
inhibitor, which is a class of drugs currently used in combination
with calcineurin inhibitors to prevent organ rejection following
transplantation. This class of drugs, in addition to transplantation,
has potential for use in stent technology, autoimmune disease and
oncology. On September 30, 2005, Isotechnika entered into an
exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Atrium Medical
Corporation ("Atrium") for the use of ISA247 and TAFA93 specifically
with drug eluting devices for the non-systemic treatment of vascular,
cardiovascular, target vessel and tissue disorders.The successful completion of the Phase 1 TAFA93 trials, announced earlier this year, has fulfilled one of the Company's commitments to Atrium and allows them to continue moving forward with their drug eluting stent technology program.
"This Notice of Allowance allows us to build our immunosuppressive patent portfolio to include TAFA93," said Dr. Randall Yatscoff, Isotechnika's President & CEO. "We look forward to receiving additional patent protection for this novel technology."
About Isotechnika
Isotechnika Inc. is an international biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Drawing upon its expertise in medicinal chemistry and immunology, the Company is focused on the discovery and development of novel immunosuppressive therapeutics that are safer than currently available treatments. Its entrepreneurial management and world- class team of scientists are building a pipeline of immunosuppressive drug candidates for treatment of autoimmune diseases and for use in the prevention of organ rejection in transplantation. Isotechnika looks to become the leader in development of immunosuppressant therapies.
Isotechnika's lead compound, ISA247 has successfully completed a Canadian Phase III human clinical trial for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. ISA247 is currently being investigated in a North American Phase IIb human clinical trial for the prevention of kidney graft rejection. The Company also has an additional immunosuppressive compound in its drug pipeline, TAFA93 which successfully completed Phase I clinical trials.
Isotechnika Inc. is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ISA. More information on Isotechnika can be found at www.isotechnika.com.
Partnerships
Isotechnika Inc. signed a collaboration agreement with Hoffman La Roche on April 9, 2002, which licensed the worldwide rights to develop and commercialize ISA247 for all transplant indications.
On September 30, 2005, Isotechnika Inc. entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Atrium Medical Corporation for the use of ISA247 and TAFA93 specifically with drug eluting devices for the non-systemic treatment of vascular, cardiovascular, target vessel and tissue disorders.
Isotechnika Inc. and Cellgate Inc. signed an option agreement on April 25, 2006, granting Isotechnika the option to obtain an exclusive license to develop and commercialize conjugates consisting of Cellgate's patented transporter technology for the topical delivery of ISA247 in patients suffering from mild to moderate psoriasis.
On May 25, 2006, Isotechnika Inc. signed an agreement with Lux Biosciences, Inc. of Jersey City, New Jersey granting Lux Biosciences worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Isotechnika's lead drug, ISA247 for the treatment and prophylaxis of all ophthalmic diseases.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements, including the Company's belief as to the potential of its products, the Company's expectations regarding the issuance of additional patents and the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the ability to economically manufacture its products, the potential of its products, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company's ability to successfully commercialize its products, the ability of the Company to defend its patents from infringement by third parties, and the risk that the Company's patents may be subsequently shown to be invalid or infringe the patents of others. Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward- looking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Contact:
For further information: Dr. Randall Yatscoff, President & CEO,
Isotechnika Inc., Phone: +1-780-487-1600 Ext.246, Fax:
+1-780-484-4105, Email: ryatscoff@isotechnika.com; Stephanie
Gillis-Paulgaard, Director, Corporate Communications, Isotechnika
Inc., Phone: +1-780-909-4661, Fax: +1-780-484-4105, E-mail:
sgillis-paulgaard@isotechnika.com