RALEIGH, N.C., May 14, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today DARA BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:DARA) announced that the DB959 program has been identified by Cambridge Healthtech Institute ("CHI") for inclusion in its 2nd Annual 'Targeting Diabetes with Novel Therapeutics' meeting. Mary Kay Delmedico, Ph.D., will present a 25 minute talk entitled "DB959: A Novel, Dual PPAR delta/gamma Agonist (DB959) for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes" as part of the multi-track Discovery on Target ("DOT") Conference being held in Boston, MA, November 3-4, 2009. Additional information about the conference can be found at http://www.discoveryontarget.com.
The presentation will provide an overview of the favorable nonclinical pharmacology, toxicology, and safety studies and provide an update on clinical plans. In March 2009, the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") cleared the Investigational New Drug Application ("IND") to begin Phase 1 trials for DB959.
Dr. Delmedico, leader of the DB959 Program at DARA, said, "It is an honor to be invited to participate in a program highlighting novel approaches to providing treatment options for people living with diabetes."
Earlier this year, DARA announced that two abstracts on DB959 have been accepted for presentation at the annual American Diabetes Association ("ADA") Scientific Sessions to be held in New Orleans, LA, June 5-9, 2009.
About DB959
DB959 is a unique, dual peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ("PPAR") delta/gamma agonist and is being developed for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D). In March 2009, the United States FDA cleared the Company's IND for DB959, allowing DARA to commence Phase 1 studies in humans; DB959 will be the first PPAR compound in development with this subtype profile. The unique combination of delta/gamma agonist activities gives DB959 the potential to normalize blood sugar levels and address the abnormalities in cholesterol and triglycerides in these patients, giving this therapeutic candidate the potential to provide cardiovascular benefit to Type 2 diabetes patients. In non-clinical studies, DB959 demonstrated the potential to normalize blood sugar, raise good HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and improve the HDL: LDL ratio. In addition, the IND-enabling non-clinical safety studies performed with DB959 suggest a more favorable safety profile than selective delta or gamma agonists or combination agonists with alpha activity, particularly with regard to cardiovascular safety. DB959 is a non-thiazolidinedione (non-TZD), it does not have PPAR-alpha activity, and it is unique from Avandia(r) and Actos(r) both in structure and activity. DARA plans to develop DB959 as a once-a-day oral medication alone and in combination with other approved medicines. At the present time, DARA is in the process of evaluating strategies for raising additional capital and/or forming strategic partnerships to fund further clinical development.
About DARA BioSciences, Inc.
DARA BioSciences(tm), Inc. ("DARA") is a Raleigh, North Carolina based development-stage pharmaceutical company that acquires promising therapeutic small molecules and develops them through proof of concept in humans for subsequent sale or out-licensing to larger pharmaceutical companies. Presently DARA has two drug candidates with cleared IND's (Investigational New Drug) Applications from the US FDA. It has a portfolio of drug candidates for neuropathic pain, type 2 diabetes, and psoriasis. For more information please contact the Company at 919-872-5578 or visit our web site at http://www.darabio.com.
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 the near term in order to be able to continue to fund its operations, 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. 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 any 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.