BASEL, Switzerland, March 8, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Basilea Pharmaceutica AG announced the advancement of the novel topical antibiotic BAL19403 into preclinical testing. BAL19403 is the most advanced of a new class of bacterial macrolides with excellent activity against antibiotic-resistant Propionibacterium acnes and potent anti-inflammatory properties, both important factors in the development of inflammatory acne and Rosacea.
BAL19403 is the result of a focused medicinal chemistry effort to develop novel macrolides with activity against Propionibacterium acnes, a skin bacterium that plays an important role in the development of acne. A number of studies have pointed to the emergence of significant resistance of this bacterium to commonly used antibiotics. BAL19403 has potent activity against such bacteria, including highly resistant strains and has shown strong suppression of the inflammatory response of human neutrophils, the white blood cells contributing to the inflammatory aspects of the disease.
"Our research organization is committed to creating shareholder value by producing a sustainable pipeline of innovative products. We are extremely pleased to move BAL19403 towards the clinic. We have leveraged our extensive antibacterial know-how to strengthen our dermatology pipeline. One of the mainstays of the Basilea research approach is to modify members of well-tolerated drug classes to significantly improve their properties and broaden their spectrum. This novel drug was developed from the integrated Basilea platforms in structural biology, medicinal chemistry, microbiology and cell biology. We believe that combining the ability to overcome established bacterial resistance and superior anti-inflammatory properties in a single molecule, such as BAL19403, is a powerful approach to the treatment of patients plagued by these disfiguring diseases," commented Prof. Jutta Heim, Basilea's Chief Scientific Officer.
About Acne Vulgaris and Rosacea
Both Acne and Rosacea are common inflammatory diseases of the skin. Acne vulgaris is a multi-factorial disorder of the sebaceous (grease-producing) glands frequently occurring in adolescence and young adulthood. Besides follicular plugging and increased sebum production, acne results from proliferation of the skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, which colonizes the hair follicles, induces secretion of inflammatory factors and thereby worsens the initial disease. Rosacea occurs predominantly in middle-aged patients and is largely of unknown etiology. Rosacea is characterized by pustular lesions on the face and a strong inflammatory response that sometimes leads to a characteristically enlarged nose (rhinophyma).
About Basilea
Basilea Pharmaceutica AG (BSLN) is an independent biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, that is actively engaged in the discovery and development of innovative medicines for the treatment of unmet medical needs. The company's fully integrated research and development operations are currently focused on new anti-bacterial, anti-fungal agents and dermatology drugs. Basilea was founded in October 2000 to discover, develop and bring innovative medicines to market. Basilea is listed on the SWX (Swiss Exchange). In recent months, Basilea also announced three additional major company milestones including entry of ceftobiprole into phase III, entry of alitretinoin (BAL4079) in severe chronic hand dermatitis into phase III, and the entry of BAL8557 in severe fungal infections into phase II. Basilea has entered into an alliance with Johnson & Johnson's affiliated company, Cilag AG International, to globally develop and commercialize ceftobiprole.
Disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The press release can be downloaded from the following link: http://hugin.info/134390/R/983644/146460.pdf