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New Patent Issued to EntreMed for 2-Methoxyestradiol Analogs
Patent Covers Novel Antiangiogenic Compositions
Last Update: 7:31 AM ET Feb 14, 2006


ENMD, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammation, today announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 6,995,278 covering analogs of its lead compound, 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2 or Panzem(R)). Panzem(R) is currently in clinical trials for cancer, as well as in preclinical development for inflammatory disorders.

The patent grants EntreMed composition-of-matter intellectual property protection through 2020 for analogs of 2ME2 in oncology and a broad range of non-oncology indications, including inflammatory and immune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases characterized by abnormal cell division (mitosis).
Panzem(R) is a novel anticancer agent, which is part of a next generation of antimitotic cancer drugs that bind to tubulin and work through multiple cellular pathways. 2ME2 can attack tumors on multiple fronts -- directly by disrupting microtubules, an intracellular matrix necessary for the rapid division of cancer cells (mitosis), by inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis), and by blocking blood vessels that feed tumors (angiogenesis inhibition). Analogs of 2ME2 have been developed by EntreMed to decrease metabolism while retaining their antiproliferative and antiangiogenic properties.
James S. Burns, EntreMed President & Chief Executive Officer, commented, "EntreMed is focused on the development of a new generation of small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory disorders by attacking disease cells directly and the blood vessels that nourish them. This patent and other pending patents are the result of an extensive internal program to identify new antiangiogenic compounds based on EntreMed's expertise in angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation, and inflammation. This patent further strengthens our intellectual property position in next generation antimitotic and antiangiogenic drugs for the treatment of cancer. ENMD-1198, the lead compound resulting from our analog program, currently has an active IND and we anticipate initiating a Phase 1 clinical trial in cancer this quarter."
U.S. Patent No. 6,995,278 entitled "Antiangiogenic Agents," covers analogs that have been modified at certain positions on the 2-methoxyestradiol structure, yet retain their ability to inhibit cell proliferation. In addition, the '278 patent claims methods for modifying 2ME2 to obtain the analogs and for treating diseases or conditions with compounds having the claimed structural modifications of 2-methoxyestradiol. The '278 patent covering the issued claims is owned exclusively by EntreMed.