DUBLIN, Calif., April 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTX), a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics, announced that it will present data on AT26893, a novel, first-in-class, direct acting antiviral agent (DAA) against Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) at the 47th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL): The International Liver Congress™, April 18 to 22, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.
The following presentations are scheduled for Friday, April 20th from 12:30 to 2:00 pm during the poster session: Viral Hepatitis C: Experimental (virology)
- Abstract No. 19057: Fragment based discovery and cellular validation of a novel allosteric binding site on the full length HCV NS3/4a enzyme
- Abstract No. 19064: Pre-clinical characterisation of a novel allosteric inhibitor of the HCV full length NS3/4a protein
The NS3 protein is essential for viral replication and represents a validated HCV therapeutic target. Astex has used its fragment-based drug discovery approach, Pyramid™, to discover and target a novel allosteric binding site on the full length HCV NS3 protease - helicase enzyme. Compounds binding at this site have a novel mode of action and a different resistance profile compared to NS3 active-site protease inhibitors and these data will be presented at EASL. Astex scientists will also present data on the characterization of AT26893 that has entered formal preclinical development in preparation for an IND filing.
This research program, which has been supported with £2 million of funding from the Wellcome Trust Seeding Drug Discovery initiative, is wholly owned by Astex Pharmaceuticals.
Copies of these presentations will be available in the pipeline, presentations and publications section of the Astex Pharmaceuticals website, www.astx.com.
About Astex Pharmaceuticals
Astex Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics with a focus on oncology. The Company is developing a proprietary pipeline of novel therapies and is creating de-risked products for partnership with leading pharmaceutical companies. Astex Pharmaceuticals developed Dacogen® (decitabine) for Injection and receives significant royalties on global sales.
For more information about Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., please visit http://www.astx.com.
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