Idera Announces Presentation at AAD Annual Meeting Demonstrating Toll-like Receptor Antagonists Normalize Expression of Inflammatory Genes in Psoriasis Model
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA) today announced the
presentation of new data showing that its selective Toll-like receptor
antagonists, IMO-3100 and IMO-8400, normalized the gene expression of
important cytokines in a preclinical study of skin inflammation that is
commonly used as a model of psoriasis. Notably, genes related to the
production of key mediators of psoriasis including Interleukin (IL) -17,
IL-6, IL-12/23, IL-1, IL-21 Receptor, and INF-gamma were restored toward
normal levels. The data were presented by James G. Krueger, M.D., Ph.D,
of The Rockefeller University, at the Late-Breaking Research Symposium
on March 2nd, 2013, during the American Academy of
Dermatology Annual Meeting.
“Our studies show that treatment with IMO-3100 and IMO-8400 reduces
disease-associated expression of the IL-17 and IL-23 inflammatory
cascade in the mouse IL-23-induced skin inflammation model,” said Dr.
James Krueger. “Genes that play a mediating role in psoriasis were
returned toward normal levels with both compounds; and the inclusion of
TLR8 activity with IMO-8400 was additive to the effect on gene
expression that we observed with the TLR7 and TLR9 antagonist compound.
We are now extending this work, with the analysis of gene expression
patterns in skin biopsies from patients treated with a TLR antagonist in
a Phase 2 clinical trial.”
“The data presented by Dr. Krueger provide scientific support for the
top-line results from the proof of concept Phase 2 trial of IMO-3100 in
patients with psoriasis that Idera announced late last year. We look
forward to presenting detailed results from the clinical trial at the
International Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting in May 2013,”
commented Robert Arbeit, M.D., VP of Clinical Development at Idera. “In
addition, during the first quarter, we completed the single dose portion
of a Phase 1 clinical trial of IMO-8400 in healthy subjects. IMO-8400
was well-tolerated and demonstrated target engagement of TLRs 7, 8 and
9. The multiple-dose portion of the IMO-8400 Phase 1 trial is ongoing,
and we anticipate data during the second quarter of 2013.”
A copy of the presentation is available on the AAD website.
About TLRs and Idera's Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases Program
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in inflammation and immunity.
Of the 10 human TLRs identified to date, Idera is developing compounds
targeted to TLRs 3, 7, 8 and 9, which are expressed in different cells
and serve unique functions. Using its chemistry-based approach, Idera
has created novel drug candidates that modulate immune responses through
either activation or inhibition of specific TLRs. Inhibition of specific
TLRs may be useful in treating autoimmune disorders, such as systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, by
blocking the induction of multiple cytokines and signaling pathways.
Idera's clinical candidates for application in autoimmune diseases are
IMO-3100, an antagonist of TLR7 and TLR9, and IMO-8400, an antagonist of
TLRs 7, 8 and 9.
A characteristic of autoimmune diseases such as SLE and psoriasis is the
production of autoantibodies, damage-associated molecular patterns, or
DAMPs, and pathogen associated molecular patterns, or PAMPs, that may
contain host nucleic acids. These stimuli activate TLRs 7, 8 and 9 and
induce multiple cytokines and signaling cascades that cause further
damage to the body's own tissues and organs, thereby releasing more
self-nucleic acids. Thus, a pathologic amplification cycle is
established, promoting disease maintenance and progression. In
preclinical models of several autoimmune diseases, IMO-3100 and IMO-8400
inhibited TLR-mediated induction of Th1, Th17 and inflammasome pathways,
leading to the suppression of multiple cytokines including tumor
necrosis factor-alpha, or TNF-α, and interleukins IL-12, IL-6, IL-17 and
IL-1β and improvements in multiple measures of disease. Current
treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases include the use of
monoclonal antibodies to block the activity of one specific cytokine.
TLR antagonists are designed to inhibit induction of immune responses to
autoimmune disease stimuli rather than to block the activity of any one
specific cytokine.
About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Idera Pharmaceuticals applies its proprietary Toll-like receptor (TLR)
drug discovery platform to create immunomodulatory drug candidates and
has a clinical development program in autoimmune diseases. Additionally,
Idera has a collaboration with Merck & Co. for the use of TLR-targeted
candidates as vaccine adjuvants for cancer, infectious diseases and
Alzheimer’s disease. The Company is also exploring its gene-silencing
oligonucleotide (GSO) technology for the purpose of inhibiting the
expression of disease-promoting genes. For more information, visit http://www.iderapharma.com.
Idera Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not
statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes,"
"anticipates," "plans," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "should,"
"could," "will," "may," and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that
could cause Idera's actual results to differ materially from those
indicated by such forward-looking statements, including whether Idera’s
cash resources will be sufficient to fund the Company’s continuing
operations and the further development of the Company’s autoimmune
disease program; whether results obtained in preclinical studies and
early clinical trials will be indicative of results obtained in future
clinical trials; whether products based on Idera's technology will
advance into or through the clinical trial process on a timely basis or
at all and receive approval from the United States Food and Drug
Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether, if
the Company's products receive approval, they will be successfully
distributed and marketed; whether the Company will be able to license
any of its TLR target candidates on a timely basis or at all; whether
the Company's collaboration with Merck & Co, Inc., will be successful;
whether the patents and patent applications owned or licensed by the
Company will protect the Company's technology and prevent others from
infringing it; and such other important factors as are set forth under
the caption "Risk Factors" in Idera's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 2012 which important factors are
incorporated herein by reference. Idera disclaims any intention or
obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
