Celgene and NCI sign long- term development agreement
Focusing on new anti-cancer compounds
Celgene Corp. (Warren, NJ) has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the pre-clinical and clinical development of Celgene's SelCIDs (Selective Cytokine Inhibitory Drugs). SelCIDs are a group of novel, orally available small molecules that are anti-angiogenic and potent modulators of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). They selectively inhibit type-4 phosphodiesterase (PDE-4), a key class of cell-signaling enzymes that are linked to the overproduction of TNF-alpha.
The five-year agreement will support pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of the SelCIDs in standard anti-angiogenic assays, as well as in tests directed at measuring anti-tumor effects. The goals are to further characterize SelCIDs' anti-angiogenic effects, both in vitro and in vivo, and to advance the most promising agents for use in clinical trials.
According to David Stirling, executive VP and chief scientific officer of Celgene, pre-clinical studies of the SelCID class of agents suggest that they may inhibit both TNF-alpha overproduction and undesirable angiogenesis. If true, the compounds would open up a new, exciting area of anti-tumor research.
Previously, Celgene reported from a Phase I human safety trial on CDC-801 (the most advanced SelCID) that the compound had no serious adverse effects and no gastrointestinal toxicity. Currently, a Phase II trial under Celgene's sponsorship is evaluating CDC-801 in Crohn's disease. Additional trials for CDC-801 are being planned by Celgene for a variety of oncology and immunomodulatory indications such as ulcerative colitis, hematological malignancies, dermatology, rheumatoid arthritis, and respiratory disorders.
For more information: David Stirling, Celgene Corp., 7 Powder Horn Dr., Warren, NJ 07059. Tel: 732-271-1001.
Edited by Angelo DePalma
Managing Editor, Drug Discovery Online and Pharmaceutical Online
adepalma@vertical.net