SALT LAKE CITY, April 20, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:MYRX) today announced the presentation of preclinical data characterizing MPI-0486348, the lead compound in the company's Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) inhibitor pre-clinical program at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 101st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Nampt catalyzes the first step in the synthesis of NAD from nicotinamide and was identified by Myriad Pharmaceuticals as a promising anti-cancer target by utilizing its proprietary chemical proteomics platform. Many cancer cells are dependent on Nampt due to increased energy requirements and elevated activity of NAD consuming enzymes. Myriad Pharmaceuticals' MPI-0486348 is potently cytotoxic to a broad spectrum of cancer cells. MPI-0486348 is also highly orally bioavailable and causes significant tumor regressions in pre-clinical colon cancer models with both daily and intermittent dosing schedules.
The NAD biochemical pathway has been extensively characterized and the basic metabolic function of Nampt is well understood. Importantly, Nampt inhibition presents a unique opportunity to combine a companion diagnostic, which can identify patients most likely to benefit from a Nampt inhibitor, with the adjuvant vitamin B-3 (niacin) that has the potential to maximize therapeutic benefit while minimizing side effects. Myriad Pharmaceuticals' Nampt inhibitor, MPI-0486348, is a potential best-in-class treatment targeting aberrant cancer cell metabolism.
The titles and schedules of these presentations are listed below.
| Title: | Identifying the target of an orphan compound: CB30865 is a Nampt inhibitor |
| Session ID: | Cancer Chemistry 6 |
| Date & Time: | April 20, 2010; 9 AM-12 PM |
| Permanent Abstract Number: | 3673 |
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Title: |
MPI-0486348: A novel inhibitor of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) induces tumor regression in a preclinical model |
| Session ID: | Late-Breaking Research: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics 2 |
| Date & Time: | April 20, 2010; 2 PM-5 PM |
| Permanent Abstract Number: | LB-288 |
About Myriad Pharmaceuticals
Myriad Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel small molecule drugs that address severe medical conditions, including cancer and HIV infection. Our pipeline includes clinical and pre-clinical product candidates with distinct mechanisms of action and novel chemical structures that have the potential to be first-in-class and/or best-in-class therapeutics. For more information, please visit www.myriadpharma.com.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT SAFE HARBOR
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the attributes and potential efficacy of Myriad Pharmaceuticals' product candidate MPI-0486348. These "forward-looking statements" are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in Myriad Pharmaceuticals' Form 10-K, for the year ended June 30, 2009, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2009, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in Myriad Pharmaceuticals' Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Myriad Pharmaceuticals undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.