XenoPort to present XP23829 preclinical data at ECTRIMS meeting

XenoPort, Inc. (Nasdaq:XNPT) announced today that it will present data on a new preclinical product candidate, XP23829, at the upcoming 26^th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden, October 13 - 16, 2010. Data from the poster presentation show that compared to dimethylfumarate (DMF), molar equivalent doses of XP23829, a novel prodrug of methylhydrogenfumarate (MHF), provided:

• higher blood levels of the biologically active molecule MHF;
• superior efficacy in an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS); and
• fewer and less severe stomach lesions in an animal model of gastric irritation.

Both XP23829 and DMF are prodrugs of MHF, a molecule that appears to have anti-inflammatory properties. An oral formulation of fumaric acid esters (mixed DMF and monoethylfumarate salts) is approved in Germany and widely used for the treatment of psoriasis. BG-12, an oral formulation of DMF from Biogen Idec Inc. that is currently in Phase 3 development, has shown promise in a Phase 2b trial for the potential treatment of relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS). Gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain) were observed in the Phase 2b trial.

Ronald W. Barrett, Ph.D., chief executive officer of XenoPort, stated, "We designed XP23829 to be more efficiently absorbed and converted to MHF than DMF. We are encouraged by these preclinical results, which suggest that XP23829 may have advantages over DMF. Our hope is that an oral formulation of XP23829 could provide MS patients with a well-tolerated and effective option for management of their disease. We plan to continue our development work on this product candidate as resources permit."