Unique Targeted Chemotherapy Treatment Developed by Czech Scientists Moves into Clinical Trials
CzechInvest, the Investment and Business Development Agency of the Czech Republic, today announced that a unique targeted chemotherapy treatment developed at the Institute of Microbiology, part of the Czech Academy of Sciences, is poised to move into clinical trials on humans. Zentiva, one of the top five Central and Eastern European pharmaceutical groups, has reported the company will spearhead clinical trials of the drug in the Czech Republic.
(PRWEB) June 2, 2005 -- CzechInvest, the Investment and Business Development
Agency of the Czech Republic, today announced that a unique targeted
chemotherapy treatment developed at the Institute of Microbiology, part of the
Czech Academy of Sciences, is poised to move into clinical trials on humans.
Zentiva, one of the top five Central and Eastern European pharmaceutical groups,
has reported the company will spearhead clinical trials of the drug in the Czech
Republic.
Preliminary clinical research has demonstrated hopeful results
and gained the Czech Academy of Science worldwide recognition. Similar
medicines, based on the discoveries of Czech scientists, are being investigated
by researchers in the US, Japan and Britain. The drug avoids many of the toxic
side effects of conventional chemotherapy, destroying only cancer
cells.
Professor Blanka Rihova, head of research at the Institute of
Microbiology and co-developer of the drug explains: "Active targeting means that
the drug is in some type of conjugate that is targeted using antibodies,
lactines or different chemical structures. These chemical structures recognize
the specific site, the specific mark on the surface of malignant
cells."
Rihova continues: “The conjugate, which is based on a
Czech-English patent, is a copolymer of HPMA, a molecule with a very long
chemical name, N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide. It‘s a synthetic
water-soluble polymer that is the backbone of the conjugate to which the drug
and targeting structures are bound.”
Data from animal experiments confirm
substantially reduced side effects and nonspecific toxicity such as
myelotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and
nephrotoxicity.
"Classic therapy is directed against malignant cells but
also against normal cells that very actively proliferate. That means that not
only malignant cells but also cells of the immune system, cells in the
gastrointestinal tract and gonads are really in danger in traditional
treatments,” states Rihova.
Rihova’s research suggests that the drug is
likely best suited for the treatment of breast, colon and certain types of lung
cancer.
“The Czech Republic has consistently made important strides in
life sciences research,” stated Radomil Novák, Chief Executive Officer of
CzechInvest. “Research undertaken in the Czech Republic is resulting in
commercially viable leading edge treatments that are addressing global
challenges.”
Czech Republic will showcase its life science sector and
leading Czech-based biotechnology companies at the upcoming Biotechnology
Industry Organization (BIO) annual convention, BIO 2005, June 19-22 at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
About
CzechInvest
CzechInvest, the Investment and Business Development Agency, is
an agency of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Established in 1992, the agency
contributes to attracting foreign investment and developing domestic companies
through its services and development programs. CzechInvest promotes the Czech
Republic abroad and acts as an intermediary between the EU and small and
medium-sized enterprises in implementing structural funds.
# # #
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb246834.htm