Idera announces new data from IMO-3100 and IMO-8400 preclinical study on psoriasis

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA) today announced the presentation of new data showing that its selective Toll-like receptor antagonists, IMO-3100 and IMO-8400, normalized the gene expression of important cytokines in a preclinical study of skin inflammation that is commonly used as a model of psoriasis. Notably, genes related to the production of key mediators of psoriasis including Interleukin (IL) -17, IL-6, IL-12/23, IL-1, IL-21 Receptor, and INF-gamma were restored toward normal levels. The data were presented by James G. Krueger, M.D., Ph.D, of The Rockefeller University, at the Late-Breaking Research Symposium on March 2^nd, 2013, during the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting.

"Our studies show that treatment with IMO-3100 and IMO-8400 reduces disease-associated expression of the IL-17 and IL-23 inflammatory cascade in the mouse IL-23-induced skin inflammation model," said Dr. James Krueger. "Genes that play a mediating role in psoriasis were returned toward normal levels with both compounds; and the inclusion of TLR8 activity with IMO-8400 was additive to the effect on gene expression that we observed with the TLR7 and TLR9 antagonist compound. We are now extending this work, with the analysis of gene expression patterns in skin biopsies from patients treated with a TLR antagonist in a Phase 2 clinical trial."

"The data presented by Dr. Krueger provide scientific support for the top-line results from the proof of concept Phase 2 trial of IMO-3100 in patients with psoriasis that Idera announced late last year. We look forward to presenting detailed results from the clinical trial at the International Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting in May 2013," commented Robert Arbeit, M.D., VP of Clinical Development at Idera. "In addition, during the first quarter, we completed the single dose portion of a Phase 1 clinical trial of IMO-8400 in healthy subjects. IMO-8400 was well-tolerated and demonstrated target engagement of TLRs 7, 8 and 9. The multiple-dose portion of the IMO-8400 Phase 1 trial is ongoing, and we anticipate data during the second quarter of 2013."