-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy S.
Date: Saturday, October 30, 1999 9:41 AM
Subject: Article about new brain implant therapy
>>Today's Chicago Tribune had a small article (datelined New York) which
read as follows:
NEW PARKINSON'S IMPLANT THERAPY BUOYS RESEARCHERS
The cell product is called Spheramine. Have any of you heard anything
about this?<<
Company Press Release
Titan's Parkinson's Disease Therapy Receives NIH Grant
Accelerated Phase I/II Fast Track Grant Targeted To Support Preclinical
and Clinical Development
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 7, 1999--Titan
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the NIH has awarded to Titan Phase
I of a combined Phase I/ Phase II Fast Track SBIR Grant, to support
development of Titan's Spheramine(TM) therapy for Parkinson's disease. A
Phase I/ Phase II Fast Track Grant is designed to accelerate access to a
Phase II Grant, based upon achievement of Phase I objectives.
``We appreciate this support from NIH and NINDS for our Parkinson's
disease therapeutic program,'' stated Dr. Louis R. Bucalo, President and
CEO of Titan. ``In aggregate, this Phase I/ Phase II grant would fund
the majority of direct costs of our initial clinical study of
Spheramine.''
``We are moving very rapidly toward completion of the Phase I
objectives, and the potential opportunity of Phase II of this grant,''
continued Dr. Bucalo. ``In addition, we look forward to the opportunity
of initiating clinical testing of Spheramine in the near future.''
The Phase I grant in the amount of $120,000 is targeted toward
completion of primate studies and preparation of an IND for clinical
testing. The Phase II grant would be directed at support of initial
Phase I/II clinical testing.
Spheramine is a cell therapy intended to help replace the functionof
dopamine producing cells which are lost in Parkinson's'disease through
neuronal degeneration. Spheramine utilizes retinal pigmented epithelial
cells, which produce dopamine, and can be obtained in large numbers
through cell culture producing methods, offering the potential for a
standardized, readily available restorative cell therapy.
Copyright 1994-1999 Yahoo! / Copyright © 1999 Business Wire.
~~~~
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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