2006-12-08 07:00 ET - News Release
SARASOTA, FL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/08/06
DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. (OTCBB: DNAG) today announced the results of preclinical studies conducted by the Company and Harvard Medical School on the Company's proprietary PT-401 protein. The studies demonstrate that PT-401 is three times more effective than conventional EPO treatments, and conclude that PT-401 has "biological activities superior to those of EPO monomer, suggesting important therapeutic advantages."
The results of the study will be formally presented by Drs. Jee-Yeong Jeong and Arthur J. Sytkowski on Dec. 9, 2006, at the American Society of Hematology 48th Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Fla. Dr. Sytkowski is the Director of the Laboratory for Cell and Molecular Biology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), an affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
The study's purpose was to determine whether it was possible to develop a more effective erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) than human erythropoietin (EPO, epoetin), which is widely used in the treatment of certain forms of anemia but which has a relatively short in vivo half-life, resulting in considerably high and frequent doses in order to maintain therapeutic effectiveness. The study, conducted over a seven day period using laboratory mice, showed that the "super EPO" that forms the basis for PT-401, and which comprises EPO-dimer and EPO-trimer fusion proteins that were comprised of "head-to-tail" repeats, is up to three times more effective than conventional EPO treatments, exhibiting enhanced biological properties in vitro and in vivo.
"Dr. Sytkowski is one of the foremost scientists in the field of therapeutic protein research, particularly Erythropoietin," stated DNAPrint Chairman and Chief Medical Officer Hector J. Gomez, M.D., Ph.D. "We are proud that our affiliation with Dr. Sytkowski and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has produced this research, which shows the promise of PT-401 in treating chronic anemia due to renal failure, cancer, or other causes."
"This study is an important step in the advancement of PT-401 as a potential competitor in the EPO market, which currently exceeds $10 billion and is rapidly growing," stated DNAPrint Genomics President and Chief Executive Officer Richard J. Gabriel. "This study is just one step, however, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Dr. Sytkowski as this project advances."
PT-401 is a "Super EPO," a more powerful erythropoiesis stimulating agent than Erythropoietin, a well-known drug used for the treatment of anemia. Previously, DNAPrint Pharmaceuticals, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, announced three successful milestones related to PT-401: the use of CHO cell lines, the use of SDS-PAGE, a well-established separation technique for the testing of cell lines, and a specially developed isoelectric focusing (IEF) method. The initial research has been conducted in conjunction with Dr. Sytkowski.
In addition to Dr. Sytkowski, research was carried out with Drs. Jee-Yeong Jeong, Changmin Chen and Kerry L. Davis of the Laboratory for Cell and Molecular Biology, Division of Hematology and Oncology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.
The study was conducted in conjunction with the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the University of California at Los Angeles and included Drs. Andreas Breidbach and Don H. Caitin.
The study and its results are illustrated in a multi-color poster that Dr. Sytkowski will distribute as part of the presentation.
About Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a patient care, teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School, and ranks third in National Institutes of Health funding among independent hospitals nationwide. BIDMC is clinically affiliated with the Joslin Diabetes Center and is a research partner of Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. BIDMC is the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox. For more information, visit www.bidmc.harvard.edu.
About DNAPrint Genomics, Inc.
DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. (www.dnaprint.com) is a developer of genomics-based products and services in two primary markets: biomedical and forensics. DNAPrint Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, develops diagnostic tests and theranostic products (drug/test combinations) using the Company's proprietary ancestry-informed genetic marker studies combined with proprietary computational modeling technology. Computational Biology and Pharmacogenomics services are also offered externally to biopharmaceutical companies. The Company's first theranostic product is PT-401, a "Super EPO" (erythropoietin) dimer protein drug for treatment of anemia in renal dialysis patients (with end stage renal disease). Preclinical and clinical development of all the Company's drug candidates will benefit from simulated pre-trials to design actual trials better and are targeted to patients with genetic profiles indicating their propensity to have the best clinical responses. DNAPrint is proud of its continued dedication to developing and supplying new technological advances in law enforcement and consumer ancestry heritage interests. Please refer to www.dnaprint.com for information on law enforcement and consumer applications which include DNAWITNESS(TM), RETINOME(TM), ANCESTRYbyDNA(TM) and EURO-DNA(TM). DNAWitness-Y and DNAWitness-Mito are two tests offered by the Company. The results from these tests may be used as identification tools when a DNA sample is deteriorated or compromised or other DNA testing fails to yield acceptable results.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of DNAPrint's products, dependence on collaborations and partners, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, and patent protection and litigation. DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking, except as may be required by applicable law or regulation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in DNAPrint's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
Company Contact:
Richard Gabriel
CEO and President
941 366-3400
Ron Stabiner
The Wall Street Group, Inc.
212-888-4848