MEDIA RELEASE PR34963
Quark Pharmaceuticals Announces the Presentation of Data Indicating Potential Utility of QPI-1002
in Chronic Kidney Disease at the RNA Interference Summit
FREMONT, Calif., June 9 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing
novel RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutics, today announced that Bruce A. Molitoris, M.D., Director,
Division of Nephrology and Professor of Medicine, Indiana University, will present data demonstrating
efficacy in models of acute and chronic kidney disease (AKI and CKD, respectively) of an animal analogue
of QPI-1002 at the RNA Interference Summit being held June 8-10, 2009 in San Francisco, CA. QPI-1002,
a siRNA drug candidate being developed by Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the first systemically-
administered siRNA to enter human clinical trials. The drug is the subject of two multi-center Phase I
studies for acute kidney injury (AKI) and one Phase I/II study for delayed graft function (DGF) in kidney
transplantation. QPI-1002 targets p53, a gene that plays a pivotal role in the stress-response apoptotic
pathway.
Using intravital 2-photon in life microscopy to follow the distribution
of fluorescent labeled siRNA in the rat kidney, Prof. Molitoris demonstrated
rapid and predominant distribution of the siRNA to kidney proximal tubular
cells (PTC), which are the main type of suffering cells in the context of
ischemic or toxic kidney injury. Dose response and time course studies
exploring efficacy of the animal analogue of QPI-1002 in the AKI models in
rats indicated excellent efficacy of the drug in reducing serum creatinine
levels and ameliorating acute morphological damage to the kidney including
PTC death. The data indicate that recurrent dosing of the drug concomitantly
with monthly repetitive ischemic kidney insults minimizes the resulting
kidney injury and can attenuate development of associated chronic kidney
disease (CKD).
Daniel Zurr, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are excited to see
this as a possible additional indication for QPI-1002; the compound is
already being studied as the first systemically-dosed siRNA to be tested in
humans for AKI following major cardiovascular surgery, and for delayed graft
function (DGF) following kidney transplantation. CKD is a very serious
condition leading to kidney failure and complications such as cardiovascular
disease (CVD). In America alone, 26 million adults suffer from CKD and
millions of others are at increased risk. We are eager to continue these
studies to provide a remedy for this disease."
Dr. Molitoris said, "The current standard of care in the treatment of CKD
is to help slow the rate of damage to the kidneys by treating the condition
causing the disease and to modify the patient's diet and exercise. I'm
excited by these data indicating that QPI-1002 could be an additional
therapeutic tool to minimize the AKI associated progression of chronic kidney
disease, which inevitably leads to loss of kidney function and development
end stage renal disease that necessitates dialysis or a kidney transplant to
maintain life. It would be gratifying to see a treatment that directly
targets the condition of CKD, regardless of the underlying cause."
About QPI-1002
QPI-1002 is a synthetic, chemically modified siRNA molecule based on
Quark's proprietary, patented invention of temporarily and reversibly
inhibiting a master stress-response gene p53. QPI-1002 drug is also protected
by Quark's patents. Temporary inhibition of p53 at the time of injury delays
massive death of vulnerable affected cells, allowing natural repair
mechanisms to take over, thus preserving tissue integrity and function. In
acute kidney injury (AKI), the p53 gene induces tubular cell death resulting
in kidney dysfunction. In the context of AKI, RNA interference (RNAi)
technology used to temporarily inhibit p53 exploits the siRNA property to
predominantly accumulate in target renal cells that activate p53 and are
consequently prone to death. In collaboration with the University of Illinois
at Chicago, Quark first published its therapeutic concept in a seminal paper
in Science magazine (Science. 1999 Sep 10; 285).
About Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a development-stage pharmaceutical company
engaged in discovering and developing novel RNAi-based therapeutics. Quark
has a fully integrated drug development platform that spans therapeutic
target identification to drug development. Quark's RNAi technology includes
novel siRNA structures and chemistry providing Quark with freedom to operate
in the siRNA intellectual property arena, as well as the ability for
non-invasive delivery of siRNA to other target tissues including the eye,
ear, lung, and CNS.
In addition to QPI-1002, Quark's clinical pipeline includes PF-4523655
(RTP801i-14), licensed to Pfizer, which is currently in Phase II clinical
trials in diabetic macular edema (DME) and age-related macular degeneration
(AMD). PF-4523655 is a synthetic, chemically modified siRNA designed to
inhibit the expression of the gene RTP801 discovered by Quark through the
gene discovery platform BiFAR(TM). For the structure of these products, Quark
has licenses from Silence Therapeutics and from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
QPI-1007, a siRNA that utilizes a proprietary structure developed by Quark,
is being evaluated in IND-enabling nonclinical studies as a neuroprotective
agent for eye diseases. In addition, Quark has a broad pipeline of siRNA drug
candidates based on internally developed novel structures.
Quark is headquartered in Fremont, California and operates research and
development facilities in Boulder, Colorado and Ness-Ziona, Israel.
Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The Ruth Group (investors / media)
Juliana Friedman Sara Ephraim Pellegrino / Janine McCargo
+972 89 30 5111 (646) 536-7002 / 7033
jfriedman@quarkpharma.com spellegrino@theruthgroup.com
jmccargo@theruthgroup.com
SOURCE: Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Juliana Friedman of Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
+972-89-30-5111,
jfriedman@quarkpharma.com;
Sara Ephraim Pellegrino,
+1-646-536-7002,
spellegrino@theruthgroup.com,
or Janine McCargo,
+1-646-536-7033,
jmccargo@theruthgroup.com,
both of The Ruth Group (investors / media)
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