RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 2, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DARA BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:DARA) announced today that the Company has been selected to present at the following upcoming conferences.
Landmark Venture Forum – Investing for Cures
New York City, NY – November 9, 2011
The New York Society of Security Analysts' – 15th Annual Biotech & Specialty Pharmaceuticals Industry Conference
New York City, NY – November 30, 2011
Sidoti & Company, LLC – Semi-Annual Micro Cap Conference
New York City, NY – January 9, 2012
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) – 14th Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference
New York City, NY – February 13-14, 2012
Additional information about the conferences can be found at the respective sponsoring organizations' websites.
Interested parties can access live web casts of DARA presentations, where offered by organization, at (www.darabiosciences.com) under the Investors section. A replay of applicable presentations will be available at the same location.
About DARA BioSciences, Inc.
DARA is a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company that acquires high quality, promising therapeutic molecules in early stage development (late pre-clinical or Phase 1). Acquired molecules have the potential to fill significant medical needs and represent large commercial opportunities for participation in large and growing markets. DARA expedites development through proof-of-concept in humans (prior to Phase 3) 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.
Presently, DARA has two (2) lead drug candidates advancing through clinical trials. The first is KRN5500 for the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with cancer, which has successfully completed a Phase 2a study. The second is DB959 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, which has successfully completed both Phase 1a and 1b studies.
DARA also has three promising pre-clinical drug candidate programs for future development and monetization which include:
DB160 is a lead dipeptidylpeptidase (DPPIV) inhibitor from a family of DPPIV inhibitors. 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 also be beneficial for stem cell transplantation and cancer targets.
DB900 is a series of compounds which are PPAR-g/a/d agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and inflammatory diseases. These compounds activate genes involved in the metabolism of sugars and fats, thereby improving the body's ability to regulate blood sugar. As such, they have the potential to raise HDL 'good' cholesterol, lower LDL 'bad' cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and facilitate weight loss.
DB200 is a series of compounds that inhibit the enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) for the topical treatment of psoriasis. These drug candidates have the potential to inhibit inflammation and the proliferation of skin cells, thus resulting in decreased reddening and flaking of the skin.
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 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.