NeoPharm to Launch New Transfection Agent Using Novel Cationic Cardiolipin
NeoPhectin(TM) Commercial Availability Planned for January 2004
LAKE FOREST, Ill., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NeoPharm, Inc. announced
today the development of NeoPhectin(TM), a novel in vitro transfection reagent
that is an outgrowth of the Company's lipid development program and uses
NeoPharm's proprietary cationic (positively charged) cardiolipin technology.
NeoPhectin(TM) is expected to be available from independent distributors
beginning in January 2004 for use in laboratories conducting research that
requires use of a transfection reagent. The Company also plans to introduce a
novel in vivo transfection reagent, NeoPhectin-AT(TM), for use in laboratories
and research facilities for animal testing in March of 2004. Cationic
cardiolipin and NeoPhectin(TM) are proprietary products developed by NeoPharm at
its Waukegan, Illinois research and development facility. For more information
about NeoPhectin(TM), please visit the Company's NeoPhectin(TM) website at
http://www.neophectin.com/.
"The introduction of NeoPhectin(TM) is an exciting milestone for NeoPharm," said
James M. Hussey, NeoPharm's President and Chief Executive Officer. "While we
remain focused on our anti-cancer compounds currently in clinical development,
we will continue to look for opportunities to leverage our NeoLipid(TM) platform
for the overall benefit of the Company and our shareholders. We believe that
cationic cardiolipin may also have potential for use in the treatment of several
diseases including infectious diseases, auto-immune diseases and cancer." In vitro studies conducted at leading research academic centers have
demonstrated that NeoPhectin(TM) provides enhanced transfection when compared to
a commonly used commercially available transfection reagent in a variety of cell
types. NeoPhectin(TM) was also able to deliver RNAi molecules into primary
cells in studies conducted at a leading university. To date, a total of 12
academic centers have either completed testing or are conducting independent
studies with NeoPhectin(TM). This information will be updated on the
NeoPhectin(TM) website ( http://www.neophectin.com/ ) as it becomes available.
In recent animal studies a cationic cardiolipin-based liposome was shown to be
less toxic and more effective than another cationic lipid-based liposome
formulation of the same anti-cancer compound. "During the last few years, our
lipid research program has focused on discovering and developing novel cationic
cardiolipin analogues as an essential component of our NeoLipid(TM) technology.
These cationic cardiolipin liposomes have the potential to deliver DNA/RNA in
both in vitro and in vivo applications," said Dr. Imran Ahmad, NeoPharm's Chief
Scientific Officer.
NeoPhectin(TM) Marketing Program To introduce NeoPhectin(TM) to the research community NeoPharm is conducting a
free trial program for qualified researchers until December 31, 2003.
Researchers interested in obtaining a complimentary sample vial of
NeoPhectin(TM) for testing in their labs may register at
http://www.neophectin.com/ .
In order to maintain the Company's primary focus on the development and
commercialization of anti-cancer drugs in humans, the Company intends to
distribute NeoPhectin(TM) through a network of independent distributors. The
Company does not plan to create an internal marketing or sales force for
NeoPhectin(TM) at this time.
Background Information Transfection Market
The transfer of genetic material into the eukaryotic (animal and human) cells is
called transfection. This is an important step in several therapeutic
applications where the genetic material is introduced into the cells with the
aim of preventing, diagnosing, or curing a disease. Several techniques have
been developed to transfect cells, which can be classified as either viral or
non-viral systems. Even though viral systems are most efficient, irreversible
incorporation of genes into the host cell genome may have long-term side
effects, including cancer. Viral systems are difficult to establish and may
also cause immunogenicity when used for in vivo applications.
As an alternative to viral systems, cationic liposomes are the most commonly
used systems for transfection among the non-viral options. The commercially
available cationic liposomes do, however, have some disadvantages, although
these disadvantages are different than the viral systems. While cationic
liposomes form spontaneous complexes with DNA or RNA, and have shown greater
transfection efficiency for in vitro use, they have not been effective for in
vivo applications. Cationic liposomes usage has been limited due to the
toxicity and variable transfection efficiency in different cell lines. The
Company believes that cationic liposomes have market potential in DNA/RNA
therapy if a successful system can be developed. DNA/RNA therapy may eliminate
several in-born genetic defects resulting from the absence or modification of
genes due to the alteration of proteins essential for various cell functions.
The syntheses of novel cationic cardiolipin-based lipids at NeoPharm lead to the
development of NeoPhectin(TM), a next generation transfection reagent. NeoPhectin(TM) has small, stable, homogeneous, ready-to-use liposomes that have
shown less toxicity to cells and is able to transfect various cell types
including primary cells (explanted directly from donor organisms).
How NeoPharm's Proprietary NeoLipid(TM) Delivery Technology Works Liposomes are microscopic membrane-like structures created from lipids (fats). They take advantage of tumor cells need to consume large amounts of fats to
sustain the tumor's extremely fast growth. NeoPharm's NeoLipid(TM) technology
combines drugs or compounds with proprietary lipids, such as cardiolipin. In its
natural form, cardiolipin occurs as a negatively charged lipid found in cardiac
and muscle tissue. Cardiolipin plays a vital role in mitochondria and electron
transport system and signal transduction. It appears to have a role in
restoring normal cell functions including apoptosis. Tumor cells recognize the
NeoLipid(TM) liposomal drug as a potential source of nutrition, which allows the
active drug to be delivered directly to the tumor cell. In addition,
NeoLipid(TM) technology allows for the creation of a stable liposome. This
physical property is especially important during drug storage and after the
product has been reconstituted and administered intravenously to the patient. Based on NeoPharm's research to date, NeoLipid(TM) formulations have
demonstrated an ability to reduce the toxicity of potent chemotherapeutic drugs,
making for the possibility of a more comfortable to administer, safer, and
well-tolerated treatment for cancer patients.
About NeoPharm NeoPharm, Inc., based in Lake Forest, Illinois, is a publicly traded
biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and
commercialization of new and innovative cancer drugs for therapeutic
applications. The Company has a broad portfolio of cancer compounds in various
stages of development. Additional information about NeoPharm and recent news
releases can be obtained by visiting NeoPharm's Website at:
http://www.neophrm.com/ .
Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. The Company has tried to identify such forward-looking
statements by use of such words as "expects," "intends," "hopes," "anticipates,"
"believes," "could," "may," "evidences" and "estimates," and other similar
expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such
statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements
relating to the Company's drug development program and any other statements that
are not historical facts including information on the introduction of new
non-drug products including NeoPhectin(TM) to the scientific community, the
ability of independent distributors to develop a market for NeoPhectin(TM), and
the ability to introduce additional non-drug products thereafter. Such
statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those
risks and uncertainties relating to difficulties or delays in development,
testing, regulatory approval, production and marketing of the Company's drug and
non- drug compounds, uncertainty regarding the availability of third party
lyophilization capacity, uncertainty regarding the outcome of damage claims made
by or against the Company, including the outcome of the pending arbitration with
Pharmacia, unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of
the Company's drug and non-drug compounds that could slow or prevent products
coming to market, the uncertainty of patent protection for the Company's
intellectual property or trade secrets and other risks detailed from time to
time in filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission
including our annual reports on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Forms
10-Q. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but
actual results may differ materially due to various factors, including those
risks and uncertainties mentioned or referred to in this press release.
Accordingly, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as a
prediction of actual future results. DATASOURCE: NeoPharm, Inc.
CONTACT: Larry Kenyon, CFO of NeoPharm, +1-847-295-8678, or Investor contact, Janet Dally of MontRidge, LLC, +1-203-894-8038 Web site: http://www.neophectin.com/ http://www.neophrm.com/
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