RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 6, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DARA BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:DARA) announced today that Richard A. Franco, R.Ph., Chief Executive Officer and President, is scheduled to present at the Rodman & Renshaw Annual Global Healthcare Investment Conference being held in New York September 11-13. DARA's presentation is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, September 13. The conference is being held at The Waldorf Astoria, located at 301 Park Avenue.
In addition to the general discussion of DARA, Mr. Franco plans to present clinical development advances for its products in Phase II and Phase I, KRN5500 and DB959 respectively.
Attendees will be able to arrange one-on-one meetings with DARA in advance through the conference website.
Interested parties can access a live web cast of the presentation at through DARA's website www.darabiosciences.com under News & Media, Events subsection. A replay of the presentation will be available at the Company's website.
About DARA BioSciences, Inc.
DARA is a pharmaceutical development company that acquires high quality, promising therapeutic molecules in early stage development (late pre-clinical/Phase I) that has the potential to fill a significant medical need and represents a large commercial opportunity for participation in large and growing markets. The Company expedites development through proof-of-concept in humans (prior to Phase III) for subsequent partnering, sale or out-licensing to large healthcare and pharmaceutical companies. The effective implementation of this strategy has the potential to greatly enhance return on investment by properly designing drug studies that will reduce event risks and cost of the drug development process.
Presently, the Company has two (2) lead drug candidates advancing through clinical trials. KRN5500 for the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with cancer has successfully completed a Phase IIa study. DB959 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia has successfully completed a Phase Ia study and is nearing completion of a Phase Ib study. The Company plans to announce results during Q3 2011.
DARA has a number of promising pre-clinical drug candidates for future development and monetization which include:
Family of DPPIV Inhibitors - DB160 is a lead dipeptidylpeptidase (DPPIV) inhibitor. DPPIV is an enzyme that inactivates a key hormone involved in promoting control of blood sugar levels, thus giving people with diabetes better control of their blood sugar levels.
Studies have demonstrated that potent DPPIV inhibitors may be beneficial with stem cell transplantation. The cell surface enzyme, DPPIV, is involved in a number of functions, including adhesion, apoptosis, immune regulation, signal transduction, degradation of incertins such as GLP-1 and as a suppressor in the development of cancer and tumors (Boonacker and Van Noorden. Eur J Cell Biol; 2003). Additional studies have demonstrated that DPPIV is involved with mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells (Christopherson, Exp Hematol; 2003). In-vitro studies in mice have shown that inhibition of DPPIV activity on donor cells (either through deletion of the protein or through treatment with a DPPIV inhibitor) enhanced short-term homing, long-term engraftment, and mouse survival (Christopherson et al., Science; 2004).
DB900 is a series of compounds which are PPAR g/a/d agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. These compounds activate genes involved in the metabolism of sugars and fats, thereby improving the body's ability to regulate blood sugar. These compounds have the potential to raise good HDL cholesterol, lower bad LDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides. They also have the potential to deliver weight loss.
DB200 refers to a series of compounds that are inhibitors of CPT-1 for the topical treatment of psoriasis. This drug candidate has the potential to inhibit inflammation and the proliferation of skin cells, thus resulting in decreased reddening and less flaking of the skin. This program is currently not being resourced. Should development of DB200 resume, a clinical candidate will be selected from a number of strong lead compounds.
Safe Harbor Statement
All statements in this news release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially for DARA from those projected. Those factors include risks and uncertainties relating to DARA's current cash position and its need to raise additional capital in order to be able to continue to fund its operations, risks and uncertainties relating to the potential delisting of DARA's common stock from the NASDAQ Capital Market, risks and uncertainties relating to DARA's ability to develop and bring new products to market as anticipated, the current regulatory environment in which the company develops and sells its products, the market acceptance of those products, dependence on partners, successful performance under collaborative and other commercial agreements, competition, the strength of DARA's intellectual property, the intellectual property of others, and other risk factors identified in the documents DARA has filed, or will file, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Copies of DARA's filings with the SEC may be obtained from the SEC Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. DARA expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward -looking statements contained herein to reflect an y change in DARA's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based. DARA BioSciences and the DARA logo are trademarks of DARA BioSciences, Inc.