CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2011--
Idera Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: IDRA) today announced that it presented
new data showing that IMO-4200, a dual agonist of Toll-like receptor
(TLR) 7 and TLR8, in combination with approved cancer treatments
increased antitumor activity in preclinical models of lymphoma. The
presentation by Idera scientists, entitled “IMO-4200, a novel TLR7 and
TLR8 dual agonist, enhances antitumor effect of ofatumumab, rituximab
and cytotoxics in preclinical models of hematological malignancies”,
abstract number 3724, was made at the 53rd annual meeting of
the American Society for Hematology being held in San Diego, CaliforniaDecember 11-13, 2011.
“The data presented show that IMO-4200 provides a novel scientific
rationale for the targeted immunotherapy of hematological malignancies,”
said Nicola La Monica, Ph.D., VP of Biology of Idera Pharmaceuticals.
“IMO-4200 has shown to potentiate the anti-cancer activity of a broad
range of approved agents, including rituximab, bortezomib and
ofatumumab, in preclinical models of lymphoma.”
In the data presented today, IMO-4200 was evaluated in preclinical
cell-based assays and in combination with approved cancer therapy agents
in mouse models of lymphoma.
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IMO-4200 in combination with ofatumumab, an anti-CD20 antibody,
resulted in:
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improved antitumor activity
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increased survival compared to treatment with either agent alone
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enhancement of complement-dependent cytotoxicity, a mechanism by
which ofatumumab exerts its antitumor effect
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IMO-4200 in combination with rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody, and
fludarabine or IMO-4200 in combination with rituximab and bendamustine
resulted in:
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improved antitumor activity
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increased survival
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enhanced clearance of circulating tumor cells
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greater antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity, a mechanism by which
rituximab exerts its effect
Authors of the presentation were Daqing Wang, Ph.D., Melissa Precopio,
Ph.D., Michael J. Reardon, Ph.D., Tao Lan Ph.D., Jimmy X. Tang, Ekambar
R. Kandimalla, Ph.D., Alice Bexon M.D., Nicola La Monica, Ph.D. and
Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil.
About IMO-4200
IMO-4200 is a novel synthetic RNA-based dual agonist of TLR7 and TLR8
identified as a lead drug candidate for the treatment of hematological
malignancies. IMO-4200 is designed to stimulate immune responses
mediated through TLR7 and TLR8, which are expressed in human dendritic
cells, B-cells, monocytes, and macrophages. In preclinical mouse models
of cancer, IMO-4200 has shown anticancer activity involving both innate
and adaptive immune responses. IMO-4200, when administered in
combination with approved cancer therapy drugs, rituximab, ofatumumab or
bortezomib, showed significantly increased antitumor activity compared
to the single-agent effects in several preclinical lymphoma models.
About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Idera Pharmaceuticals applies its proprietary Toll-like Receptor (TLR)
drug discovery platform to create immunomodulatory drug candidates. The
Company's TLR-targeted candidates are being developed to treat
autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, and for use as vaccine
adjuvants. Additionally, the Company is advancing its gene-silencing
oligonucleotide (GSO) technology for the purpose of inhibiting the
expression of disease-promoting genes. For more information, visit http://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
from preclinical studies such as the results described in this release
will be indicative of results obtained in later preclinical or clinical
trial; 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 will be successful;
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
quarter ended September 30, 2011 which important factors are
incorporated herein by reference. Idera disclaims any intention or
obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Source: Idera Pharmaceuticals
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Lou Arcudi, 617-679-5517
larcudi@iderapharma.com
or
MacDougall
Biomedical Communications
Chris Erdman, 781-235-3060
cerdman@macbiocom.com
