Genta, Inc (fka GNTAQ)

[The Holder]

Major Pharma's Listing Genasense and are depending on it's approval to move forward with their drugs. This decision from the FDA is going to be under ENORMOUS pressure, not only from the oncology community, but these billion dollar drug companies that can easily give Genasense a little "push" to get this drug through. They have a lot riding on the approval.

More validation of Genesense shows up in a patent application dated 1-22-09 by Abbott Labs

0144]Bcl protein family member inhibitors include AT-101 ((-)gossypol), GENASENSE.RTM. (G3139 or oblimersen (Bcl-2-targeting antisense oglionucleotide)), IPI-194, IPI-565, N-(4-(4-((4'-chloro(1,1'-biphenyl)-2-yl)methyl)piperazin-1-yl)benzoyl)-4-- (((1R)-3-(dimethylamino)-1-((phenylsulfanyl)methyl)propyl)amino)-3-nitrobe- nzenesulfonamide) (ABT-737), N-(4-(4-((2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5,5-dimethyl-1-cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)methyl)pip- erazin-1-yl)benzoyl)-4-(((1R)-3-(morpholin-4-yl)-1-((phenylsulfanyl)methyl- )propyl)amino)-3-((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)benzenesulfonamide (ABT-263), GX-070 (obatoclax) and the like.

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&p=1&S1=oblimersen&OS=oblimersen&RS=oblimersen

More recognition filed by Smith-Kline Patent Application dated Jan 22, 2009 mentions GNTA's G3139 bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide.

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.html&r=1&p=1&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&S1=genta&OS=genta&RS=genta
0300]Agents used in proapoptotic regimens (e.g., bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotides) may also be used in the combination of the present invention. Members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins block apoptosis. Upregulation of bcl-2 has therefore been linked to chemoresistance. Studies have shown that the epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates anti-apoptotic members of the bcl-2 family (i.e., mcl-1). Therefore, strategies designed to downregulate the expression of bcl-2 in tumors have demonstrated clinical benefit and are now in Phase II/III trials, namely Genta's G3139 bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide. Such proapoptotic strategies using the antisense oligonucleotide strategy for bcl-2 are discussed in Water J S et al. (2000), J. Clin. Oncol. 18: 1812-1823; and Kitada S et al. (1994), Antisense Res. Dev. 4: 71-79.

Notice Genesense(GNTA) gets some good recognition in this recent patent application Jan 15-2009. Look under the heading, Treatment For Cancer (0010). (couple of paragraphs down)

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=%22genta+inc%22&OS="genta+inc"&RS="genta+inc"

A Recent Patent assigned to Celgene mentions Oblimersen(Genesense) multiple times ...Here is one mention of the drug.
one embodiment of the invention, the second active agent is administered intravenously or subcutaneously and once or twice daily in an amount of from about 1 to about 1000 mg, from about 5 to about 500 mg, from about 10 to about 350 mg, or from about 50 to about 200 mg. The specific amount of the second active agent will depend on the specific agent used, the type of disease being treated or managed, the severity and stage of disease, and the amount(s) of immunomodulatory compounds of the invention and any optional additional active agents concurrently administered to the patient. In a particular embodiment, the second active agent is oblimersen (Genasense.RTM.), GM-CSF, G-CSF, EPO, taxotere, irinotecan, dacarbazine, transretinoic acid, topotecan, pentoxifylline, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, vincristine, doxorubicin, COX-2 inhibitor, IL2, IL8, IL18, IFN, Ara-C, vinorelbine, or a combination thereof.

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=1&p=1&f=G&l=50&d=PTXT&S1=oblimersen&OS=oblimersen&RS=oblimersen

Over 20 Patent applications for Celgene 2008-2009 with
citations regarding oblimersen(GNTA). This is the sale of the century.

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Jan 29th Genentech Patent application with a reference to oblimersen(GNTA)

0246]Also included in the definition of "chemotherapeutic agent" are: (i) anti-hormonal agents that act to regulate or inhibit hormone action on tumors such as anti-estrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), including, for example, tamoxifen (including NOLVADEX.RTM.; tamoxifen citrate), raloxifene, droloxifene, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, trioxifene, keoxifene, LY117018, onapristone, and FARESTON.RTM. (toremifine citrate); (ii) aromatase inhibitors that inhibit the enzyme aromatase, which regulates estrogen production in the adrenal glands, such as, for example, 4(5)-imidazoles, aminoglutethimide, MEGASE.RTM. (megestrol acetate), AROMASIN.RTM. (exemestane; Pfizer), formestanie, fadrozole, RIVISOR.RTM. (vorozole), FEMARA.RTM. (letrozole; Novartis), and ARIMIDEX.RTM. (anastrozole; AstraZeneca); (iii) anti-androgens such as flutamide, nilutamide, bicalutamide, leuprolide, and goserelin; as well as troxacitabine (a 1,3-dioxolane nucleoside cytosine analog); (iv) protein kinase inhibitors such as MEK inhibitors (WO 2007/044515); (v) lipid kinase inhibitors; (vi) antisense oligonucleotides, particularly those which inhibit expression of genes in signaling pathways implicated in aberrant cell proliferation, for example, PKC-alpha, Raf and H-Ras, such as oblimersen (GENASENSE.RTM., Genta Inc.); (vii) ribozymes such as VEGF expression inhibitors (e.g., ANGIOZYME.RTM.) and HER2 expression inhibitors; (viii) vaccines such as gene therapy vaccines, for example, ALLOVECTIN.RTM., LEUVECTIN.RTM., and VAXID.RTM.; PROLEUKIN.RTM. rIL-2; topoisomerase 1 inhibitors such as LURTOTECAN.RTM.; ABARELIX.RTM. rmRH; (ix) anti-angiogenic agents such as bevacizumab (AVASTIN.RTM., Genentech); and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, acids and derivatives of any of the above.

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.html&r=1&p=1&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&S1=oblimersen&OS=oblimersen&RS=oblimersen