Prometic's Lead Cancer Compound PBI-1402 Has Confirmed Activity on Red Blood Cell Progenitors
Montreal (ots/PRNewswire)
- Potential use Includes Anaemia Induced by Chemotherapy and Renal Diseases
- Market of Above US$10 Billion
ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. (TSX: PLI) is pleased to announce that its scientists have confirmed evidence of PBI-1402's positive effect on the formation of red blood cells in bone marrow. This proliferation is additive with the red blood cell (erythrocyte) growth factor erythropoietin as indicated by in vitro experiments on human bone marrow. This announcement confirms a potential use of the compound for anaemia caused by chemotherapy and renal diseases.
Approximately two-thirds of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy become anaemic because chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments often result in a decrease of erythrocytes in the general circulation. Additionally, anaemia is also associated with end-stage renal disease as is the case for patients who require regular dialysis or kidney transplants for survival.
The current annual market for erythropoietin, in all indications, is estimated to be approximately US$10 billion.
Earlier results indicated that PBI-1402 had a positive effect on the formation of neutrophils, a class of white blood cells representing our first line of defence against bacteria and viruses.
"This new discovery greatly increases the scope of potential clinical applications for our lead cancer compound PBI-1402 which is now undergoing a Phase I clinical study in Montreal. With these recent findings, the potential of PBI-1402 may also extend to the treatment of anaemia associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We will pursue development strategies to maximise the therapeutic potential of this compound and we diligently filed additional patents to protect our intellectual property" said Christopher Penney, Vice-President of R&D and CSO (Therapeutics).
About ProMetic Life Sciences
ProMetic Life Sciences Inc.(TSX-PLI) is a biopharmaceutical company specialised in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of a variety of commercial applications from its proprietary platform technologies, which are used in the development of therapeutics, large-scale purification of biologics and the elimination of pathogens/viruses. Headquartered in Montreal (Canada), ProMetic has additional facilities in the UK and the USA.
Additional information is available on the Company's website: www.prometic.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to the Company's ability to develop, manufacture, and successfully commercialise value-added pharmaceutical products and to obtain contracts for its products and services and commercial acceptance of advanced affinity separation technology. Shareholders are cautioned that these statements are predictions and these actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
Contact:
ProMetic Life Sciences Inc.: Analysts & Institutional Investors,
Nicole Blanchard, Managing Partner, Sun International Communications,
+1-450-627-6600, nicole.blanchard@isuncomm.com; Media: Dominic
Sicotte, Managing Partner, Relations Média Echoes Media Relations,
+1-514-842-9551, +1-866-633-9551, www.echoesmedia.tv,
dsicotte@echoesmedia.tv; Investors Relations - Brokers: Renmark
Financial Communications, John Boidman, +1-514-939-3989,
jboidman@renmarkfinancial.com, www.renmarkfinancial.com