For Release 5 p.m. CDT
May 10, 2005
Reata Announces Licensing of Novel Natural Products with Anticancer Potential
Discovered at Victoria University, First Synthesized at UT Southwestern
DALLAS, TX, and WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND -- May 10, 2005
Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Reata") announced the completion of a license agreement with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas ("UT Southwestern") and Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand ("VU"), providing Reata with exclusive worldwide rights to a promising new class of anticancer compounds. The company has initiated a preclinical development program with peloruside A, the first identified compound in the class, which could enter clinical testing as early as 2007. Peloruside A was first discovered in a marine sponge, part of the diverse and often unique indigenous bioata residing in New Zealand's Pelorus Sound. The compound was later patented in the United States by Victoria Link Ltd., the University's commercial arm. Subsequently, researchers at UT Southwestern achieved the first total synthesis of this complex molecule.
Peloruside A, which has potent anticancer activity in a variety of cancer types, acts on microtubules, a target addressed by paclitaxel and other major anticancer drugs. However, research at Reata, VU and UT Southwestern has shown that it binds to a distinct target site on the tubulin molecule and retains potent activity in cells that are highly resistant to paclitaxel and several other drugs in the class.
"These exciting compounds are an important component of the Reata product pipeline," said Warren Huff, President and Chief Executive Officer of Reata. "Microtubule-stabilizing agents are among the most important drugs available for the treatment of cancer, and the development of useful new agents in this class is an important goal to increase therapy options for cancer patients. We are pleased to be collaborating with UT Southwestern and Victoria University in the further development of these promising drugs."
Victoria University's Dean of Science, Professor David Bibby, welcomed the agreements. "These agreements are a major step in the development of Peloruside A towards realising the exciting promise it has already shown in research carried out in New Zealand"
Professor Bibby emphasized that "although the development of Peloruside A was first supported by substantial grants from New Zealand, international links were now needed to further progress the development to clinical trials. It is a significant step to move forward in association with the prestigious University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and Reata Pharmaceuticals."
"This three-way agreement illustrates the importance of global collaboration in creating new pharmaceutical products, and it also exemplifies the crucial role university research plays in the process leading to new clinical advances," said Dr. Dennis Stone, vice president for technology development at UT Southwestern. "It creates real value for all parties, and more importantly, serves as the springboard for the development of an important new anticancer agent that can benefit mankind."
Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a development-stage company focused on the development of novel treatments for cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2002, Reata is developing five distinct classes of cancer drugs licensed from UT Southwestern, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dartmouth College, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and the National Cancer Institute. The company’s most advanced products, RTA 744 for primary brain cancer and RTA 401 (CDDO) for hematological cancers and solid tumors, are expected to enter clinical trials in mid-2005. Clinical testing of additional products, including RTA 402 for inflammation, is expected to begin in late 2005 or early 2006. Reata is also using a proprietary drug screening platform to identify potential breakthrough treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and Alzheimer's disease.
For more information, press only:
Warren Huff
(214) 800-8701
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