Quark Pharmaceuticals Expands International Patent Protection For Compounds Targeting The Rtp801 Gen

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26th October 2009, 02:59pm - Views: 623






Community Health Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2 image









MEDIA RELEASE PR36711


Quark Pharmaceuticals Expands International Patent Protection for Compounds Targeting the RTP801

Gene


FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --


    Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing

novel RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutics, today announced issuance of Japanese Patent Number:

4354633, titled, "Hypoxia regulated genes," on August 7, 2009. Granted to Quark from a Japanese National

Phase application of International (PCT) Patent Application No. PCT/US98/17296, the patent corresponds to

U.S. Patent No.s 6,455,674, 6,555,667 and 6,740,738 issued by the United States Patent and Trademark

Office. 


    The granted claims broadly cover various aspects of the RTP801 gene, including inhibitors targeting either

the mRNA or peptide products of the gene. This patent is part of the intellectual property estate that is the

basis of PF-4523655 (formerly RTP801i-14), a synthetic siRNA molecule licensed to Pfizer on an exclusive

worldwide basis that is designed to inhibit the expression of RTP801 and is being evaluated in clinical studies

for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). PF-4523655 is

currently in Phase II clinical studies for DME and for wet AMD. 


    By targeting the RTP801 gene, PF-4523655 has been shown to inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth and

leakage, and to reduce inflammation and suppress apoptosis in animal models of retinal diseases. Importantly,

RTP801 inhibition differentiates PF-4523655 from other therapeutics designed to specifically inhibit

angiogenesis by targeting either VEGF or its receptors, because it acts via a VEGF-independent pathway. 

Hence, PF-4523655 has the potential to show efficacy when used either as a monotherapy or in combination

with existing VEGF-based therapies. 


    Daniel Zurr, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Quark, said, "Patents are essential in the drug

development process as they protect the significant investments in R&D and regulatory activities necessary to

obtain marketing approvals and to generate commercial sales. We are vigilant about upholding our industry

leadership position in siRNA R&D by protecting our pipeline with an aggressive and comprehensive approach

to intellectual property generation and management. We are also focused on broadening our intellectual

property estate to further protect and enhance the value of our product pipeline."


    About the PF-4523655 (RTP801i-14) Clinical Program

    PF-4523655 (RTP801i-14) is a synthetic, siRNA molecule designed to inhibit the expression of Quark's

proprietary target, RTP801. The product candidate is licensed to Pfizer on an exclusive worldwide basis. 

Quark discovered RTP801 using its BiFAR(TM) target discovery platform, which identifies clinically relevant

genes and proteins that are critical to reversing a given disease phenotype when inhibited. The Company

owns a family of patents covering the RTP801 gene and protein sequences, specific antibodies, and gene

inhibition across different disease indications.


    The ongoing Phase II study is a prospective, randomized, multi-center, dose-ranging study is designed to

evaluate the safety and efficacy of PF-4523655 versus laser therapy in 160 patients with DME. In this study,

patients are randomized to receive intravitreal injections of one of three dose levels of PF-4523655, or laser

therapy.  Therapeutic effect will be evaluated by assessing visual acuity and retinal morphology.  


    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, spinal

cord and brain.


Community Health Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3 image

    In addition to PF-4523655, Quark's current clinical pipeline includes QPI-1002, the first systemically

administered siRNA drug in human clinical trials, developed by Quark for the prevention of acute kidney injury

(AKI) following major cardiovascular surgery and the prophylaxis of delayed graft function after kidney

transplantation. Quark has licenses from Silence Therapeutics and from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals for the

structure of these products. 


    QPI-1007, a siRNA that utilizes a proprietary structure developed by Quark, is being evaluated in advanced

IND-enabling preclinical studies as a neuroprotective agent in eye diseases. In addition, Quark has a broad

pipeline of siRNA drug candidates based on novel structures developed internally. The Company expects to

utilize the structures to develop additional RNAi drug candidates.


    Quark is headquartered in Fremont, California and operates research and development facilities in Boulder,




    Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc.         The Ruth Group (investors / media)

    Juliana Friedman                    Sara Ephraim / Janine McCargo

    +972 89 30 5111                     (646) 536-7002 / 7033

    jfriedman@quarkpharma.com           sephraim@theruthgroup.com

                                        jmccargo@theruthgroup.com



      SOURCE: Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


     CONTACT: Juliana Friedman of Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

              +972-89-30-5111 

              jfriedman@quarkpharma.com; or 


              Sara Ephraim 

              +1-646-536-7002

              sephraim@theruthgroup.com, or 


              Janine McCargo 

              +1-646-536-7033

              jmccargo@theruthgroup.com




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