CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 15, 2009--
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA) today announced that Idera
scientists presented data from preclinical studies on modulation of
Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) 3, 7, and 9 through antisense in three
presentations at the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS)
2009 Annual Meeting held in San Francisco, CA, June 11-14.
“We have combined our pioneering work in antisense technology and
second-generation antisense chemistry with the insights we have gained
from our recent work in creating nucleic acid-based agonists and
antagonists of TLRs, to create TLR antisense candidates that can inhibit
expression of specific TLRs,” said Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil., President,
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. “In the
preclinical studies presented at FOCIS, our TLR antisense candidates
down regulated expression of the targeted TLR and the subsequent immune
responses through an antisense mechanism of action. As a result, we
believe that our TLR antisense candidates have potential therapeutic
applications in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.”
The following presentations were made by Idera scientists during the
session “Immunoregulation” on Saturday, June 13, 2009:
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Abstract S.105 “Modulation of Toll-like receptors 7 and 9 expression
with antisense for potential applications in autoimmune and
inflammatory diseases”
-
Abstract S.106 “Studies of Toll-like receptors 7 and 9 antisense in a
preclinical model of colitis”
-
Abstract S.108 “Modulation of Toll-like receptor 3 expression with
antisense”
“Currently our pipeline includes three TLR9 agonists in clinical
evaluation, a TLR7/TLR9 antagonist in IND-enabling preclinical
development, and on-going research with agonists of TLR7 and TLR8. As
our work on agonists and antagonists continues, we expect that the use
of antisense mechanism of action will allow us to create additional
compounds to target TLRs that have been implicated in autoimmune,
inflammatory, and cardiovascular diseases,” said Tim Sullivan, Ph.D.,
Vice President, Development Programs. “While the data presented at FOCIS
2009 are on TLRs 3, 7, and 9, we also have identified antisense
compounds for TLRs 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 and the adaptor protein MyD88.”
Idera and Antisense Technology
Paul Zamecnik, M.D., founder of Idera, first reported data on antisense
in a publication in 1978. Along with Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil., founding
scientist of Idera, Dr. Zamecnik’s research team published reports on
first-generation antisense chemistry in 1988. Based on insights gained
in preclinical and early clinical experience, including observations of
immune activation with first-generation antisense, Idera scientists
introduced second-generation antisense chemistry. Idera’s
second-generation antisense chemistry includes oligonucleotides
containing 2’- substitutions such as 2’-O-substituted (US6,346,614),
2’-O-methyl (US5,652,355; US6,143,881) 2’-O-alkyl, 2’-O-allyl,
2’-O-amino, 2’-O-aryl, 2’-O-halo (US6,683,167), 2’-O-alkoxyalkyl, and
2’-methoxyethyl (US6,645,943). Idera scientists also first published on
effective oral delivery of second-generation antisense (US5,591,721;
US6,608,035; US6,936,593). Idera holds over 200 patents and patent
applications for antisense chemistry, delivery, and specific gene
targets. Prior to its current and continuing focus on the discovery and
development of TLR agonists and antagonists, Idera’s research programs
were primarily centered on antisense technologies. Since its inception,
the Company has generated over $55 million in upfront and milestone
payments and sales of equity from licensing and partnering of its
antisense technology.
About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Idera Pharmaceuticals develops drug candidates to treat infectious
diseases, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, and respiratory
diseases, and for use as vaccine adjuvants. Our proprietary drug
candidates are designed to modulate specific Toll-like Receptors (TLRs),
which are a family of immune system receptors that direct immune system
responses. Our pioneering DNA and RNA chemistry expertise enables us to
create drug candidates for our internal development programs and our
partnered programs, and generates opportunities for additional
collaborative alliances. For more information, visit www.iderapharma.com.
Idera Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not
statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes,"
"anticipates," "plans," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "should,"
"could," "will," "may," and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that
could cause Idera's actual results to differ materially from those
indicated by such forward-looking statements, including whether results
obtained in preclinical studies such as the studies referred to above
will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials;
whether products based on Idera's technology will advance into or
through the clinical trial process on a timely basis or at all and
receive approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or
equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether, if the Company's
products receive approval, they will be successfully distributed and
marketed; whether the Company's collaborations with Novartis, Merck &
Co., and Merck KGaA will be successful; whether the patents and patent
applications owned or licensed by the Company will protect the Company’s
technology and prevent others from infringing it; whether Idera's cash
resources will be sufficient to fund the Company's operations; and such
other important factors as are set forth under the caption "Risk
Factors" in Idera's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months
ended March 31, 2009, which important factors are incorporated herein by
reference. Idera disclaims any intention or obligation to update any
forward-looking statements.
Source: Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kelly Luethje, 617-679-5519
kluethje@iderapharma.com
or
MacDougall
Biomedical Communications
Chris Erdman, 781-235-3060
cerdman@macbiocom.com
