Healthcare Industry News: RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals
News Release - November 2, 2007
RegeneRx Receives First Ophthalmic Wound-Healing Patent in China
BETHESDA, Md.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, INC. (AMEX:RGN ) (www.regenerx.com) announced today that it has received official notice from Chinese Patent Office (CSIPO) that CSIPO intends to grant a patent for reversing or inhibiting eye degeneration associated with dry eye syndrome, as well as certain surgical eye procedures, including LASIK and PRK, with Tβ4, analogues, and derivatives. The patent claims are based on a significant body of data supporting the use of Tβ4 for wound healing of the cornea and other areas in and around the eye.“We are very pleased to receive this patent notification. It not only addresses one of our current product development efforts, but also covers future business opportunities in one of the fastest growing health care markets in the world and with vast potential for other related pharmaceutical products. We look forward to the issuance of additional patents in the U.S. and abroad in the coming months,” stated J.J. Finkelstein, RegeneRx’s president and chief executive officer.
About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
RegeneRx is focused on the discovery and development of novel molecules to accelerate tissue and organ repair. Currently, RegeneRx is developing Tβ4, a 43 amino acid peptide, in part, under an exclusive world-wide license from the National Institutes of Health. Preliminary research suggests that Tβ4 may prove efficacious for multiple indications; therefore, RegeneRx is developing Tβ4 as the cornerstone of its therapeutic platform. The technology platform has many potential applications in both the pharmaceutical and consumer products sectors. RegeneRx holds nearly 60 world-wide patents and patent applications related to dermal, ophthalmic, and internal wounds and tissue repair, cardiac and neurological injuries, septic shock and several consumer product areas. RegeneRx is currently sponsoring three Phase II chronic dermal wound healing clinical trials, a Phase II ophthalmic trial, and a Phase IA parenteral clinical trial as part of its ongoing cardiovascular clinical development program.
The RegeneRx Technology Platform
Tβ4 is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring peptide present in virtually all human cells. It is a first-in-class drug candidate that promotes endothelial cell differentiation, angiogenesis in dermal tissues, keratinocyte migration, collagen deposition, and down-regulates inflammation. One of Tβ4's key mechanisms of action is its ability to regulate the cell-building protein, actin, a vital component of cell structure and movement. Of the thousands of proteins in cells, actin represents up to 10% of the total protein and, thus, plays a major role in the physiology of the cell. RegeneRx has identified several molecular variations of Tβ4 that may affect the aging of skin, among other properties, and could be important candidates as active ingredients in pharmaceutical and consumer products. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health, and at other academic institutions throughout the U.S., have published numerous scientific articles indicating that Tβ4 is effective in accelerating dermal and corneal wound healing in several animal models, under a variety of conditions. In two articles published in the scientific journal, Nature, researchers found that Tβ4 protects heart tissue following a myocardial infarction and can regenerate coronary vessels in laboratory animals. Abstracts of scientific papers related to Tβ4's mechanisms of action may be viewed at RegeneRx's web page: www.regenerx.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
The information in this press release may include certain forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements such as “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “target,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements concern the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including the ongoing and prospective development of Tβ4 and possible future benefits to the Company, its shareholders, and patients. Due to the nature of product development and the regulatory approval process, the forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those reflected in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by the Company.
Source: RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals
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