BUSINESS WIRE; Friday, May 15, 1998
"Kaposi's sarcoma is a highly vascularized tumor which provides an excellent clinical target for demonstrating the potential clinical activity of an angiogenesis inhibitor such as SU5416," commented investigator Stephen Miles, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the University of California at Los Angeles Care Clinic. "There is strong evidence to support the critical role of VEGF signaling through the Flk-1/KDR receptor in angiogenesis and in the development of these tumors. An angiogenesis inhibitor with less hematologic toxicity may offer more tolerable and effective therapy, and could provide a model for demonstrating the potential clinical activity of SU5416 not only in Kaposi's sarcoma, but possibly in other highly vascularized tumors as well."
"Our clinical strategy for SU5416 continues to focus primarily on the potential utility of this drug as a tumor growth inhibitor and anti-metastatic agent in solid tumor patient populations," commented Stephen Evans-Freke, Chairman and CEO of SUGEN. "In addition to this Kaposi's sarcoma study, we are planning to initiate multiple Phase II trials in the course of this year to investigate the potential efficacy of SU5416 in different solid tumor cancer indications."
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a protein secreted by tumor cells which triggers angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) by binding to and activating the signaling of the Flk-1/KDR tyrosine kinase receptor. Angiogenesis is required by a tumor to provide enough nourishment to grow and spread (metastasize). As a small molecule inhibitor of the Flk-1/KDR receptor, SU5416 has the potential to block the angiogenic process and growth of the tumor. SUGEN-affiliated scientists at institutes of the Max-Planck Society in Germany first validated this receptor as an important target for therapeutic intervention against tumor angiogenesis, and numerous subsequent in vivo studies of Flk 1/KDR inhibitors at SUGEN have confirmed this conclusion.
SUGEN, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule drugs which target specific cellular signal transduction pathways. These signalling pathways are regulated by cell surface receptors or intracellular signalling molecules known as tyrosine kinases (TKs), serine-threonine kinases (STKs) and tyrosine phosphatases (TPs). TKs, STKs and TPs are three of the largest known families of receptors in the body and are key regulators of critical cellular functions. Inappropriate signalling of TKs, STKs and TPs has been shown to result in a variety of chronic and acute pathological diseases, including cancer and diabetes as well as dermatologic, ophthalmic, neurologic and immune disorders. In addition to SU5416, SUGEN currently has two other products in clinical trials: SU101 (a PDGF receptor inhibitor) in Phase III trials in refractory brain cancer and multiple Phase II studies for the treatment of prostate and other cancers; and SU5271 (an EGF receptor inhibitor) in Phase I for the treatment of psoriasis. The Company has research and development collaborations with Zeneca, ASTA Medica and Allergan.
This press release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results, including the further development of SU5416, could differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the factors more fully discussed in the Company's 1997 Form 10-K and most recent Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Additional written materials and press releases regarding SUGEN are available through the SUGEN Fax-On-Demand Information Service by dialing 1-888-329-4699 or at www.sugen.com.
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CONTACT: SUGEN, Inc. D Kevin Kwok/Susan Kinkead, 650/306-7700 irdept@sugen.com or Burns McClellan, Inc. Janet Dally, 212/213-0006 (investors) Audra Nass, 415/352-6262 (media)
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