From rxpgnews.com
Tie-1 significantly inhibits tumor progression in murine models
By Dyax Corp.
Aug 11, 2005 - 11:06:00 PM
Dyax Corp. (Nasdaq: DYAX) announced today its presentation at the Drug Discovery Technology Conference (Boston Convention Center), highlighting the Company's discovery that antibody targeting of Tie-1 leads to the inhibition of primary tumor growth in murine models.
The lead IgG antibody is derived from Dyax's proprietary human antibody phage display libraries. The therapeutic rationale for targeting Tie-1 (receptor tyrosine kinase) to inhibit tumor vascular development, and the results from the Company's preclinical studies, will be presented at 9:30 a.m. (ET) today by Clive R. Wood, Ph.D., Senior Vice President Discovery Research and Chief Scientific Officer of Dyax.
In vitro assays demonstrate that Dyax's lead antibody binds with high affinity to both human and murine endothelial cells that express Tie-1, and significantly inhibits both lung and colorectal tumor progression in mouse xenograft models. These data suggest that antibody-based targeting of Tie-1 offers a new mechanistic class of tumor angiogenesis inhibitor which is distinct from those targeting the vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) pathway.
Dyax's progress to date with Tie-1 has been made through a research collaboration between the Company and Dr. Kari Alitalo, a leading authority in the area of angiogenesis and cancer research, based at the University of Helsinki, Finland. In 2001, Dyax obtained exclusive rights from Licentia Ltd., technology transfer company associated with the University, to develop antibody therapeutics and/or diagnostic products against Tie-1. Dyax has in-licensed all relevant antibody intellectual property from Licentia, and has since developed its own patent estate in this area.
Commenting for Dyax, Dr. Wood said, "This has been a very productive collaboration between Dr. Alitalo's laboratory and Dyax Discovery Research. It represents a breakthrough for our understanding of Tie-1 and its role in tumor therapy. I am most excited about the potential clinical advantages of inhibiting tumor growth by targeting Tie-1 and the possible combination therapies that this new approach may offer."
Henry E. Blair, Chairman, President and CEO of Dyax added, "It has been a goal at Dyax to expand into oncology as we continue to advance our clinical programs in inflammation. In addition, we have been focused on isolating high quality antibodies from our libraries for formal development as we build our product pipeline. The discovery of this lead antibody against Tie-1 demonstrates success on both fronts."
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