BiPar Announces Upcoming Data Presentations Demonstrating Progress on PARP Inhibitor Drug Pipeline for Cancer
BRISBANE, Calif., Oct. 22, 2007 — BiPar Sciences, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing novel cancer therapies, today announced that key data supporting its PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase) inhibitor drug development programs will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research-National Cancer Institute-European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (AACR-NCI-EORTC) International Conference on "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics" in San Francisco from Oct. 22 to 26 and the EORTC-NCI-ASCO Annual Meeting on "Molecular Markers in Cancer" in Brussels, Nov. 15 to 17.
PARP is a novel, validated target for cancer treatment. PARP1 plays a central role in cell proliferation and in DNA repair. BiPar scientists will present results showing that PARP1 gene expression is significantly upregulated in many but not all tumor types. BiPar’s novel, proprietary PARP inhibitors are members of a new generation of drug candidates that show promising activity and a favorable toxicity profile. Preclinical studies suggest the drugs selectively inhibit tumor cell proliferation and are active against a broad range of tumor types. BiPar is initiating Phase 1b and Phase 2 clinical trials of BSI-201, its lead PARP inhibitor, in several major cancers. That research program has been directed in large part by the molecular biomarker data being presented at these meetings.
"These findings will focus our efforts on those tumor types with the greatest opportunity for clinical success," said Barry Sherman, M.D., BiPar’s executive vice president. "With this information we believe we will be able to efficiently exploit our pipeline of PARP inhibitors that target major unmet needs in cancer."
The schedule of presentations is as follows:
Title: The novel PARP-1 inhibitor, BSI-401, has antitumor activity and potentiates oxaliplatin cytotopic activity in human pancreatic cancer
When: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007, 12:30 p.m. PDT
Where: AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics," Moscone West Convention Center, San Francisco
Presenter: Davide Melisi, M.D., Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Title: PARP-1 gene over-expression in primary human cancers: A potential marker for PARP inhibition
When: Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, 12:30 p.m. PDT
Where: AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics," Moscone West Convention Center, San Francisco
Presenter: Valeria Ossovskaya, Ph.D., Director of Preclinical Development, BiPar
Title: The PARP1 gene is over-expressed in triple negative breast cancer
When: Thursday, Nov. 15, 6 to 8 p.m. CET
Where: EORTC-NCI-ASCO Annual Meeting on "Molecular Markers in Cancer," Sheraton Brussels Hotel & Towers, Brussels, Belgium
Presenter: Valeria Ossovskaya, Ph.D., Director of Preclinical Development, BiPar
About BiPar Sciences
BiPar Sciences Inc. (www.biparsciences.com) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing a pipeline of novel, tumor-selective drugs designed to meet the significant unmet needs of cancer patients.
Contact:
Eric Malek
Vice President, Corporate Development
650-635-0165
emalek@biparsciences.com
Brian Reid
WeissComm Partners
703-402-3626
breid@weisscommpartners.com for BiPar Sciences