MALVERN, Pa., April 1, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Nasdaq:TLOG) today announced that data published in the April issue of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics further advances the preclinical characterization of its lead SMAC-Mimetic birinapant, which is currently being tested in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials for hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
The publication titled "Birinapant (TL32711), a Bivalent SMAC Mimetic, Targets TRAF2-Associated cIAPs, Abrogates TNF-Induced NF-{kappa}B Activation, and Is Active in Patient-Derived Xenograft Models," will appear in the April edition of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. The electronic version of the publication is available online at http://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2014/03/24/1535-7163.MCT-13-0798.abstract.
The experiments described in the publication demonstrate that birinapant bound to the BIR3 domains of cIAP1, cIAP2, XIAP, and the BIR domain of ML-IAP in vitro and induced the autoubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of cIAP1 and cIAP2, resulting in induction of tumor cell death. Birinapant preferentially targeted the TRAF2-associated cIAP1 and cIAP2 with subsequent inhibition of TNF-induced NF-{kappa}B activation. The activity of a variety of chemotherapeutic cancer drugs was potentiated by birinapant, and tumor growth in multiple primary patient–derived xenotransplant models was inhibited by birinapant at well-tolerated doses.
"We are very pleased with the results of these studies, which support the therapeutic combination of birinapant with multiple chemotherapies, particularly with those therapies that can induce TNF secretion," said C. Glenn Begley, Chief Scientific Officer of TetraLogic. "These data support our belief that birinapant has the potential to be broadly applicable across a variety of cancers."
About TetraLogic
TetraLogic is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule therapeutics that mimic the Second Mitochondrial Activator of Caspases, or SMAC-Mimetics, and are designed to cause or enable abnormal cells that are resistant to the body's immune system to self-destruct. Birinapant, our clinical-stage product candidate, is currently being tested in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials for hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
Forward Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or TetraLogic's pre-clinical and clinical development of birinapant and other clinical programs, future expectations, plans and prospects. Although TetraLogic believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. TetraLogic has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,'' ''may,'' ''could,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''approximately'' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19,2014.
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