Paratek Pharmaceuticals Presents Multiple Sclerosis Data at Society for Neurosc

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Paratek Pharmaceuticals Presents Multiple Sclerosis Data at Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting Non-Antibacterial Tetracyclines Demonstrate Disease Protection in Preclinical Studies BOSTON, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announcedresults of preclinical studies demonstrating that a new class of compounds,orally available non-antibacterial tetracyclines, has shown promising activityin a preclinical animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Affectingapproximately two million people worldwide, MS is a chronic, inflammatorycondition of the nervous system and the most common non-traumatic neurologicaldisease in young adults. Dr. McKenney, a Paratek scientist, willpresent the findings during an oral presentation at 2:30 p.m. PST (5:30 p.m.EST) today at Neuroscience 2004, the Society for Neuroscience's 34th AnnualMeeting in San Diego. For the first time, Paratek is presenting data showing that its non-antibacterial tetracycline compounds in a preclinical model of MS haveefficacy comparable to minocycline, an antibiotic also in the tetracyclinefamily. A previous clinical study directed by Dr. Luanne Metz at theUniversity of Calgary has demonstrated disease protection in MS patientstreated with minocycline. Unfortunately, long-term treatment with minocyclineor any other broad-spectrum antibiotic causes many patients to experienceintolerability related to antibiotic side effects. In today's presentation,Paratek will report that three non-antibacterial tetracycline compounds, withdifferent structures, demonstrated activity in reducing limb paralysis in thepreclinical EAE (Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis) model of MS.These compounds have no detectable antibacterial activity. Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Serono (NYSE: SRA; virt-x: SEO)announced today that they have entered into an agreement to discover, developand commercialize an orally available disease-modifying treatment for multiplesclerosis (MS). The agreement covers the compounds for which Dr. McKenneypresents data today. Stuart Levy, Paratek's Vice Chairman, Chief Scientific Officer andCo-Founder, commented, "The clinical research community has long regarded apill for MS as an ultimate goal, but so far attempts to develop a safe,feasible, orally available drug candidate have failed. Our team hassuccessfully modified the tetracycline molecule, keeping the core structurethat confers anti-MS activity while removing portions of the molecule withantibacterial effects. This represents an exciting advance not only for MS,but potentially for many other inflammation-related disease areas." Dr. Draper, Associate Director at Paratek, stated, "Paratek hasdeveloped world-class expertise in modifying the tetracycline class, which hasa 30-year track record in the marketplace and a favorable, well-documentedsafety profile. This new, proprietary class of non-antibacterial tetracyclinecompounds will avoid the negative consequences associated with long-termantibiotic use and will not further contribute to the development ofantibiotic resistance. We believe that these highly active, orally availablecompounds will also prove to be well tolerated for MS, and we are very proudof this accomplishment." About Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the nervoussystem and is the most common non-traumatic neurological disease in youngadults. Multiple sclerosis may affect approximately two million peopleworldwide. While symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms of multiplesclerosis include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs andproblems with strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of multiplesclerosis are the most common. About Paratek Pharmaceuticals Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is engaged in the discovery andcommercialization of new therapeutics that treat serious and life-threateningdiseases, with a particular focus on the growing worldwide problem ofantibiotic resistance. Paratek's lead programs are advancing novel compoundsthat can circumvent or block bacterial resistance, as well as drugs that canprevent infection by interfering with Multiple Adaptational Response (MAR)mechanisms in bacteria. Out of these efforts, Paratek has discovered a newclass of antibiotics, the aminomethylcyclines that target the need for new andpotent antibacterials to overcome the problem of rapidly growing bacterialresistance. The Company's lead antibiotic clinical candidate, BAY 73-7388,the first product from this class, is being developed in a collaborativepartnership with Bayer HealthCare AG for the treatment of serious infections. Outside the antibacterial therapeutic area, Paratek has also establishedan internal effort to exploit its novel families of compounds and their uniquemechanism of action in selected anti-inflammatory and neurodegenerativeconditions. Paratek has an active chemical synthesis effort to produce noveland diverse small molecules, with the goal of developing non-antibacterialproducts with improved activity in serious diseases based upon a growing bodyof clinical and basic research supporting this approach. Paratek is privately held and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.For more information, visit Paratek's website at http://www.paratekpharm.com.dayleView Public ProfileSend a private message to dayleFind all posts by dayleAdd dayle to Your Buddy List #2 Today, 09:22 AM Grassman A.K.A. Mike Distinguished Community Member Join Date: Mar 2004Posts: 132