Stromedix awarded U.S. patent for antibody-based therapeutics

Stromedix, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on innovative therapies for fibrosis and fibrotic organ failure, has announced that the U.S. Patent Office has granted patent number US 7,465,449, which broadly covers monoclonal antibodies to integrin ávâ6, including compositions related to its lead product, STX-100.

This patent provides Stromedix with strong intellectual property protection for antibody-based therapeutics directed against ávâ6 through at least 2023.

“The Stromedix team has made outstanding progress advancing our lead drug candidate STX-100,” said Michael Gilman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Stromedix. “This corporate milestone and the recent completion of the Phase 1 clinical trial for STX-100 are significant achievements for our young company as we work to bring this potentially important new therapy to patients suffering from fibrotic organ failure. With the addition of this important patent to our existing ávâ6 intellectual property portfolio, we are well positioned to execute on this program.”

Stromedix holds a significant patent portfolio relating to development and commercialization of monoclonal antibodies to integrin ávâ6. The new patent covers high-affinity monoclonal antibodies and antigen-binding fragments that block the function of integrin ávâ6, which is an important regulator of fibrosis and tissue injury. It covers specific monoclonal antibody compositions including compositions relating to Stromedix's lead drug candidate, STX-100. In addition it provides Stromedix with strong protection from potential competitors.

About STX-100

STX-100 is a humanized monoclonal antibody exclusively licensed in 2007 from Biogen Idec. This novel and proprietary compound targets integrin ávâ6, an important regulator of fibrosis and tissue injury. It exhibits significant anti-fibrotic activity in preclinical animal models of kidney, lung and liver disease. Stromedix recently completed a Phase 1 clinical trial of STX-100 and will initiate a Phase 2 trial in kidney transplant patients with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy in early 2009. STX-100 has been granted orphan drug status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.