VANCOUVER, July 3, 2012 /CNW/ - iCo Therapeutics (TSX-V: ICO), a
Vancouver-based drug company, is pleased to announce that it has been
featured in a JDRF newsletter entitled Top Research Highlights. JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and
has joined forces with iCo Therapeutics to investigate a potential new
treatment for one of the most common complications of diabetes,
diabetic macular edema (DME). The iDEAL study is a Phase II clinical
trial to evaluate the drug iCo-007 as a treatment for DME. The study is
being conducted at a leading US medical institution and 25 additional
sites across the United States.
Top Research Highlights is a quarterly newsletter published by JDRF to highlight new treatments
and research for T1D and related complications. A copy of this
newsletter may be viewed at:
http://www.jdrf.org/files/General_Files/Get_Involved/TopResearch_Spring2012.pdf
Commented Andrew Rae, President and CEO of iCo Therapeutics: "It is an
honor to be featured in the latest publication of Top Research Highlights. JDRF is the largest funder of diabetes research in the world and has a
mandate to inform and educate patients, donors and the public on the
latest developments in diabetes, including diabetic complications. We
appreciate JDRF and its keen interest in supporting our work in DME."
About iCo-007
Designed and discovered by ISIS Pharmaceuticals Inc., (NASDAQ: ISIS),
iCo-007 is a second-generation antisense drug targeting c-Raf kinase
for the treatment of DME and diabetic retinopathy. iCo-007 completed
an open label, dose escalating Phase I trial with safety as the primary
endpoint, and visual acuity and measures of retinal thickness serving
as secondary endpoints. Importantly, iCo saw no drug-related serious
adverse events, no signs of ocular inflammation, no intraocular
pressure issues and no systemic exposure. In August 2011, iCo announced
the initiation of a US physician-sponsored Phase II clinical trial
involving iCo-007, titled the iDEAL study, which is being conducted
across multiple sites throughout the United States. The iDEAL Study is
being led by the clinician scientists who are investigators in the
trial and is being coordinated at a leading US medical institution.
About DME (Diabetic Macular Edema)
DME is the swelling of the retina in diabetes patients due to leaking
blood vessels within the macula, the central portion of the retina that
is critical for daytime vision. DME is the leading cause of blindness
in working-age adults and affects approximately 1.6 million people in
the United States alone, a number that is expected to grow as diabetes
is forecast to increase by almost 50 percent in the United States by
2025.
About T1D
In T1D, a person's pancreas stops producing enough insulin to survive.
People with T1D must currently monitor their blood sugar levels and
administer insulin via shots or an insulin pump, multiple times every
day. Even vigilant management does not ward against T1D complications
such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, and amputation.
About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D)
research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to
children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is the
largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF is to
improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating
progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better
treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of
partners who share this goal. Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has
awarded more than $1.6 billion to T1D research. More than 80 percent of
JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related
education. Past JDRF research efforts have helped to significantly
improve the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the
critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D
is fully conquered. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.org.
About iCo Therapeutics
iCo Therapeutics Inc. is a Vancouver-based reprofiling company focused
on redosing or reformulating drugs with clinical history for new or
expanded indications. iCo has exclusive worldwide rights to three
products: iCo-007, in Phase 2 for the treatment of Diabetic Macular
Edema (DME), iCo-008 (Bertilimumab), a product with Phase 2 clinical
history to be developed for sight threatening diseases; and an oral
Amphotericin B delivery system for life-threatening infectious
diseases. Immune Pharmaceuticals licensed systemic rights to iCo-008 in
June 2011. iCo trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol
"ICO". For more information, visit the Company website at: www.icotherapeutics.com.
No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the content of this
release. The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release may be considered
forward-looking. Such statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from those
implied by such statements, and therefore these statements should not
be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All
forward-looking statements are based on iCo Therapeutics' current
beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently
available to iCo Therapeutics and relate to, among other things,
anticipated financial performance, business prospects, strategies,
regulatory developments, market acceptance and future commitments.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this
press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and
uncertainties identified by iCo Therapeutics in its public securities
filings; actual events may differ materially from current expectations.
iCo Therapeutics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.