PRESS RELEASE:
Collaboration to Accelerate Development of Novel COX-2 Inhibitors for Cancer
ST. LOUIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–December 3, 2014–
Euclises Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors for the treatment of cancer, today announced an agreement with Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health (GIBH), focused on accelerating the development of both Euclises’ and GIBH’s COX-2 inhibitors. With the agreement, Euclises adds COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) discovered and currently under development by GIBH, including the advanced preclinical candidate GIBH-1014, to its EuclicoxibTM pipeline.
GIBH and Euclises will also collaborate extensively on the further development of EuclicoxibTM candidates, particularly for the treatment of cancers driven by COX-2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The potential for coxibs in the oncology setting has long been appreciated, and Euclises aims to realize this potential by bringing an innovative coxib clinical candidate into a carefully selected cancer patient population.
“GIBH discovery scientists have created an exciting new class of coxib drug candidates that complement those in Euclises’ own portfolio,” said Rajesh Devraj, Ph.D., CEO of Euclises. “We look forward to joining efforts with a premier research institution that shares our strategic vision to accelerate development of next-generation coxib clinical candidates.”
“Euclises has a promising pipeline and a strong team with both the COX-2 and the oncology experience necessary to succeed,” said Duanqing Pei, Ph.D., Director General of GIBH. “We are thrilled to be working with them to advance our combined portfolio of coxib candidates.”
Euclises and GIBH will jointly complete selection of one or more clinical candidates. Thereafter, Euclises will be responsible for global clinical development in cancer, while GIBH will take the lead in China for pain and inflammation indications.
“These are two of the top groups working in an area with tremendous therapeutic benefit still to be tapped,” said John Talley, Ph.D., CSO of Euclises and inventor of celecoxib. “The collaboration between Euclises and GIBH builds on ground-breaking science implicating an important role for COX-2 and PGE2 in the tumor microenvironment beyond their role in promoting resistance to standard of care cancer therapies.”
About Euclises:
Euclises Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Euclises) is a drug discovery and development company focused on novel cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors for use in the oncology setting. Euclises’ innovative clinical development strategy is focused on treating the Right Patient (biomarker-selected refractory cancer patients) with the Right Drug (novel EuclicoxibTM therapy specifically designed to deliver efficacious anti-cancer exposures safely) at the Right Dose (tailored to achieve maximal inhibition of COX-2 activity and PGE2 production in the tumor microenvironment). The company has developed a portfolio of COX-2 inhibitors optimized for cancer treatment based on its proprietary EuclicoxibTM platform and is in the process of selecting a lead clinical development candidate. Earlier this year, Euclises closed its Series A financing with funding from Cultivation Capital, BioGenerator, Missouri Technology Corporation, the St. Louis Arch Angels, and other investors. For more information, visit the Euclises website at www.euclises.com.
About GIBH:
The Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health (GIBH) is a world-class scientific research institution dedicated to integrating the biological and chemical sciences for the improvement of human health around the world. Established in 2003 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, GIBH champions both basic science and commercial drug development, from discovery to the clinic. With its team of 500+ dedicated employees, state-of-the-art laboratories, strong international networks, and centralized technology groups, GIBH is committed to playing a leading role in advancing the field of biomedicine. For more information, visit the GIBH website at http://english.gibh.cas.cn/.
Euclises Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
George Capps, 314-932-4032 Ext. 317
gcapps@euclises.com
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