deCODE
genetics (Nasdaq:DCGN) today announced positive results from its preliminary
Phase II clinical trial (Phase IIa) of Cephalon Inc.’s (Nasdaq: CEPH)
CEP-1347 in asthma. Data on patients receiving active drug in the trial
were consistent with a dose-dependent improvement in some parameters
of lung function examined in the study, including methacholine challenge
test and peak expiratory flow rates, as well as in a biomarker associated
with asthma severity and inflammation. There was no evidence of safety
and tolerability concerns.
The study was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and
enrolled 160 patients divided evenly into four groups, three receiving
various doses of active drug and one receiving placebo. The trial,
conducted by deCODE under a research collaboration and licensing
agreement with Cephalon, was based upon deCODE’s discovery of variants
in the gene encoding the MAP3K9 kinase as risk factors for the
development of asthma. The MAP3K9 kinase acts within a pathway
targeted by CEP-1347.
“Through our genetics work we have put our finger on an important
biological pathway involved in asthma; the results of this trial
indicate that CEP-1347 can positively affect this pathway in a
safe and well-tolerated manner,” said Kari Stefansson, CEO of deCODE.
“This is an exciting opportunity to bring forward a novel, non-steroidal
treatment for one of the most common chronic conditions in the
industrialized world. This is also a stellar example of the way
in which we are using genetics to develop new methods to treat
and prevent common diseases. We presented the data from the trial
to Cephalon at the end of last week, and we look forward to discussing
with them how to further examine the beneficial effects of CEP-1347
in asthma patients.”
About Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition resulting from inflammation of the
airway. It is the most common chronic disorder in children and
young adults, ranging in prevalence from 10-30% in the industrialized
world. Asthma attacks, which range from mild wheezing to severe
constriction of breathing requiring immediate medical intervention,
result from an abnormal and exaggerated immune response to certain
environmental “triggers” – including pollen, dust, tobacco smoke
and viral infection. The most effective treatment for asthma
is the family of steroids known as glucocorticoids. These drugs
are effective in controlling symptoms attributed to airway inflammation,
but also have potentially serious side-effects, particularly
when administered over a long period of time. One of the principal
goals in the development of new methods for treating asthma is
therefore to identify non-steroidal drugs that can effectively
control the inflammatory response underlying asthma symptoms.
About deCODE
deCODE genetics (NASDAQ:DCGN) is a global leader in applying human genetics
to develop drugs for common diseases. Our population approach has enabled
us to discover and target key biological pathways involved in conditions
ranging from heart attack to cancer. We are turning these discoveries into
new medicine to better treat and prevent many of the biggest challenges
to public health. deCODE is delivering on the promise of the new genetics.SM
Visit us on the web at www.decode.com.
Any statements contained in this presentation that relate to future plans,
events or performance are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, those relating
to technology and product development, integration of acquired businesses,
market acceptance, government regulation and regulatory approval processes,
intellectual property rights and litigation, dependence on collaborative
relationships, ability to obtain financing, competitive products, industry
trends and other risks identified in deCODE’s filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. deCODE undertakes no obligation to update or alter
these forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
