Guilford and Amgen Announce Start of Neuroimmunophilin Clinical Trials
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE and THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., August 4, 1999 -- Guilford
Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: GLFD) and Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced
that the companies have initiated the first clinical testing of a class
of compounds known as neuroimmunophilins. The initial study is a phase 1
safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic study in healthy subjects and is
being conducted in Europe. The initial disease target is Parkinson's disease.
"We have reached an important milestone in the development of the
neuroimmunophilins. We will undoubtedly learn a great deal about
neuroimmunophilins over the next few months, and, assuming a successful
outcome of the phase 1 clinical program, we look forward to the first
clinical trials in patients with Parkinson's disease," said Dr. Craig R.
Smith, president and chief executive officer of Guilford.
In 1997, Amgen licensed from Guilford worldwide rights for the
neuroimmunophilins, a novel class of small molecule neurotrophic agents
that may represent a new approach in the treatment of neurodegenerative
disorders. In preclinical studies, including models of Parkinson's
disease, neuroimmunophilins demonstrated potential to promote nerve
regeneration and repair.
"We are pleased to be able to advance Amgen's second small molecule
product candidate into clinical testing," said Gordon Binder, Amgen's
chairman and chief executive officer. "This represents our growing
commitment to the field of small molecule drug development. More
importantly, it is a further effort to advance the needed treatment of
patients suffering from Parkinson's disease."
Amgen is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops,
manufactures and markets cost-effective human therapeutics based on
advances in cellular and molecular biology.
Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in
the development of polymer-based therapeutics for cancer, and novel
products for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases,
including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, severe head
trauma, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and peripheral neuropathies.
CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
David Kaye, 805/447-6692 (media)
Cary Rosansky, 805/447-4634 (investors)
Guilford, BaltimoreStacey Jurchison, 410/631-5022
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Barbara Patterson [log in to unmask]
HSC 2J22 905-525-9140, ext. 22403
School of Nursing
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