Trigen Initiates Clinical Development with a Novel Therapeutic
Protein, targeting Thrombosis and the Progression of Atherosclerosis
- PR-15 is a highly innovative platelet adhesion inhibitor with the
potential to block arterial thrombosis locally and to retard
atherosclerotic plaque growth -
Munich, Germany, and London, UK, 13 December 2006 - Trigen, the
cardiovascular drug discovery and development company, today
announced the initiation of a phase I clinical study with its novel
lesion-specific platelet adhesion inhibitor, PR-15, following strong
efficacy displayed in pre-clinical models.
PR-15 is being evaluated in a Phase I single dose clinical study in
36 volunteers at a site in Germany which aims to define the safety,
tolerability and PK/PD profile of the drug candidate. PR-15 is being
developed as a novel agent to treat acute arterial thrombosis and
prevent progression of atherosclerosis following an acute event.
PR-15 is a soluble form of the GPVI receptor on blood platelets. As
such, it binds selectively to collagen exposed in ruptured
atherosclerotic plaques where it prevents GPVI-mediated platelet
adhesion and activation. Such activation normally triggers arterial
thrombosis (clot formation), the initiating event in myocardial
infarction (heart attack) and stroke. Furthermore, platelet adhesion,
activation and subsequent aggregation around ruptured plaques are key
events in the progression of atherosclerosis leading to an increased
risk of cardiovascular events following an initial acute episode.
PR-15 is a lesion-specific anti-thrombotic since it prevents the
binding of platelet-bound GPVI to collagen exposed in ruptured
atherosclerotic plaques but not elsewhere in the vasculature. This
feature gives PR-15 the potential for significant clinical benefit
with less bleeding risk as compared to traditional anti-platelet
agents as it will not affect normal platelet function, leaving
hemostasis undisturbed.
Dr Tony Kennedy, VP Development at Trigen commented "We are very
excited by the progression of PR-15 into the clinical setting. Given
its novel mechanism of action as a platelet adhesion blocker,
specific to plaques, PR-15 represents a revolutionary new approach to
preventing life-threatening clots within the arteries caused by
atherosclerosis."
Dr Sophie Combe, VP Clinical Development at Trigen added "PR-15's
mode of action has been likened to that of an internal 'sticking
plaster', coating the damaged vessel wall and so enabling repair.
Naturally, we are very keen to evaluate and demonstrate the clinical
utility of this drug."
PR-15 was engineered and developed in Trigen's Munich laboratories in
Germany and came to Trigen through the merger in April 2005 of Trigen
Holdings Plc with ProCorde GmbH.
About Trigen
Trigen is a biopharmaceutical company, with operations in London and
Munich and a leader in cardiovascular drug discovery and development,
focusing on thrombosis and vascular dysfunction. Its product
pipeline includes clinical-stage candidates TGN 255 and PR-15. The
company also has an exciting portfolio of pre-clinical and discovery
stage programmes targeting thrombosis, atherosclerosis and other
cardiovascular pathologies. In addition, Trigen benefits from two
established discovery platforms, SIGSCREEN® and THROMSCAN® which have
been applied in collaborations with a number of multinational
pharmaceutical companies. For further information on Trigen please
refer to the company website at http://www.trigen.co.uk or
http://www.trigen.de
Contact Details:
Ashley Tapp
Head of Corporate Communications
Trigen
Tel: +44 (0)20 7004 2653
Mob: +44 (0)7944 570387
Email: atapp@trigen.co.uk
Mary Clark/Halina Kukula
Capital MS&L
Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 5336/5330
Email: mary.clark@capitalmsl.com
halina.kukula@capitalmsl.com
