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The new molecule's excellent safety profile is likely to be a key factor in allowing long term treatment of a chronic illness such as MS Bordeaux, February 1, 2006 - GemacBio, a biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of innovative molecules for the treatment of chronic central nervous system and auto-immune diseases, announces today the successful conclusion of a Phase IIa clinical trial on patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. Understanding MS as a multifactorial disease lies at the heart of this advance. GemacBio scientists realized they needed to design a molecule that targeted all aspects of MS pathology. To achieve this, they grafted together several molecules occurring in the human body using a patented process. The resulting molecule applies this new approach in acting against a multifactorial pathology through a number of targets. The molecule is active in three areas: anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, and neuroprotecting. Compared to existing MS therapies, this molecule has the enormous additional advantage of oral (sub-lingual) administration. This patient-friendly, convenient route of administration allows improvement of the quality of life for patients who hitherto have had to receive frequent injections.
"We are delighted that a number of
eminent clinical experts have expressed their support and a high level of
interest in these positive Phase IIa results," said Thibault de la Rivière,
CEO of GemacBio. "These encouraging results should reassure existing and
future investors as we begin the quest for additional financial resources to
enable us to carry out Phase IIb studies and move our molecules further in
development and closer to the patient."
The Phase IIa trials took place in three sites in France for periods of between six and 18 months on 22 patients suffering from indications of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The trials showed 100 per cent tolerance and a very high safety profile for GemacBio's product.
"Our treatment has two major
advantages," said Dr Michel Geffard, Chief Scientific Officer at GemacBio.
"The first is the absence of side effects due to the product's low toxicity,
an essential characteristic for the long term treatment of chronic diseases,
and the second is the maximization of the therapeutic effect via the triple
anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and neuroprotecting action of our
combinations of therapeutic molecules."
About GemacBio
http://www.gemacbio.com
GemacBio, Bordeaux, is a
biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of innovative
molecules for the treatment of chronic central nervous system and auto-immune
disease. The company's initial focus is on multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). It has already validated its
technological approach with a first Phase IIa clinical trial on multiple
sclerosis. GemacBio's know-how is based on immunochemistry and the
vectorization of small molecules to enhance their therapeutic effect. Gemacbio
benefits from the presence of a strong multi-disciplinary scientific team
combining biology, chemistry and immunology expertise. The company has raised
EUR 4M in financing, principally from regional sources in south west France
including IRDI (Institut Régional de Développement Industriel de Midi-Pyrenées),
SOCRI (Sud-Ouest Capital Risque Innovation) and business angels.
For more information, please
contact
Andrew Lloyd & Associates Andrew Lloyd/ Heidi Thompson Tel: +44 1273 675100 |
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