Morphochem’s lead programme orally available inhibitors of Factor xa identified in preclinical studies as potential novel antithrombotics

Munich, November 18th 2002 Morphochem AG, a leader in novel chemistries for small molecule drug discovery, has announced that one of its leading programmes, inhibitors of blood coagulation Factor Xa, led to the identification of novel, orally available antithrombotics in preclinical studies. Details of these preclinical studies will be presented at a meeting of investment analysts and pharmaceutical executives to be held in Basel on 21st November.

Commenting on the Factor Xa programme, Dr Lutz Weber, CEO of Morphochem said, "Our strategy is to progress series of compounds into development as we apply the drug discovery engine that we built. The Factor Xa compounds are validating this approach. They have emerged from our protease target platform, are generated by applying our novel MCR chemistries and proprietary MolMind technologies, and have moved from assay implementation to advanced preclinical compounds in less than three years, a significant achievement."

A novel series of low molecular weight compounds which demonstrate direct inhibition of Factor Xa have been synthesized using Morphochem’s integrated evolutionary chemistry. Data from preclinical studies demonstrate that the lead compounds are highly effective and specific. Good oral availability and reduced side effects were reported. These parameters could lead to significant pharmaco-economic benefits through decreased patient hospitalisation and decreased monitoring of blood coagulation parameters respectively.

Dr Peter Seufer-Wasserthal, Vice President Business Development of Morphochem, commented, "An orally available inhibitor for Factor Xa is actively sought in the pharmaceutical industry as a cost effective and safe anti-thrombotic. We are now in active discussions with several pharmaceutical companies to explore the optimum strategy for clinical development of our compounds." The anti-thrombotics market covers a multitude of venous or arterial thrombotic disorders, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

Currently this market is worth over $ 8 billion, with approximately a fifth related to DVT prophylaxis, and therapy in hip and knee surgery. Orally available direct inhibitors of Factor Xa are believed to have a market potential of $ 1 billion in various indication areas. 

Notes

Factor Xa Inhibitors

A detailed fact sheet with associated diagrams is available on request. Please contact Sue Charles at Charles Consultants.

Basel meeting Experts meet Morphochem

This meeting is by invitation only. Requests for copies of the presentations will be considered selectively. Please contact Sue Charles at Charles Consultants.

Morphochem AG www.morphochem.de 

Morphochem discovers and develops highly selective small molecule compounds for the medicines of tomorrow. The company integrates novel chemistries with biological screening on the basis of its proprietary MolMind technology. Its unique and highly integrated chemical genomics platform provides a continuous flow of novel drug candidates for unmet medical needs in major areas of indications such as cancer and inflammation. Morphochem’s in house development pipeline includes an anti-thrombotic programme focused on inhibitors of Factor Xa, anti-cancer programmes targeted at Ras-pathway modulators, and a portfolio of projects against anti-infective targets. The company has established R&D partnerships with Aventis in the areas of diabetes and anti-infectives. Morphochem is headquartered in Munich and has research sites in Basel (Switzerland) and Princeton (USA).

 

For further information please contact:

Media enquiries:

Charles Consultants Sue Charles, Managing Partner

Tel: +44 (0)20 7321 3872 Mobile: +44 (0)7968 726585

E-mail: sue@charlesconsultants.co.uk

Investor enquiries:

Dr Lutz Weber, CEO or Thomas Loeser, CFO

Tel: +49 (0)89 78 00 50

E-mail: lutz.weber@morphochem.de E-mail: thomas.loeser@morphochem.de 

At Morphochem:

Dr Peter Seufer-Wasserthal

Tel: +43 (0)7673 321511

E-mail: peter.seufer@morphochem.de