RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 23, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DARA BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:DARA), a biopharmaceutical development company, presented clinical data results for KRN5500, its lead compound for Neuropathic Pain, which achieved its primary endpoint of pain reduction and demonstrated superior performance vs. Placebo (p=0.03). These study results were presented at the 12th International Conference on the Mechanisms and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain, held November 19-21, 2009 in San Francisco.
Sharon M. Weinstein, MD, a leading investigator in the study, presented a poster entitled "KRN5500 Demonstrates Significant Reduction in Neuropathic Pain Intensity in Patients with Cancer." The presentation provided an overview of the results from the recently completed multicenter, placebo-controlled, blinded, randomized, parallel group study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of KRN5500 in patients with neuropathic pain and advanced cancer. In this study KRN5500 demonstrated clinical proof of concept by meeting the primary efficacy endpoint of pain reduction.
Dr. Weinstein is a physician at the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, UT, and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (FAAHPM).
"Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain occurs in approximately 40% of patients treated with polychemotherapy and often responds poorly to presently available pain medications. Based on these positive results, DARA plans to commence a Phase 2b study in 2010," said Linda Jett, MSN, RN, leader of the pain program at the Company.
"With two drug candidates in the clinic and collaboration with America Stem Cell, DARA is poised for an exciting and productive 2010," said Richard Franco, CEO.
Additional information about the conference can be found at http://www.neuropathicpain.org/.
About DARA BioSciences, Inc.
DARA BioSciences, Inc. is a Raleigh, North Carolina based development-stage biopharmaceutical company that acquires promising therapeutic small molecules and develops them through proof of concept in humans for subsequent sale or out-licensing to larger pharmaceutical companies. Presently DARA has two drug candidates with cleared IND's (Investigational New Drug) Applications from the US FDA. One of these drug candidates KRN5500 has successfully completed a Phase 2a clinical trial treating cancer patients for neuropathic pain. It has a portfolio of drug candidates for neuropathic pain, type 2 diabetes, and psoriasis. For more information please contact the Company at 919-872-5578 or visit our web site at http://www.darabio.com.
All statements in this news release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially for DARA from those projected. Those factors include risks and uncertainties relating to DARA's current cash position and its need to raise additional capital in order to be able to continue to fund its operations, risks and uncertainties relating to the potential delisting of DARA's common stock from the NASDAQ Capital Market, risks and uncertainties relating to DARA's ability to develop and bring new products to market as anticipated, the current regulatory environment in which the company develops and sells its products, the market acceptance of those products, dependence on partners, successful performance under collaborative and other commercial agreements, competition, the strength of DARA's intellectual property, the intellectual property of others, and other risk factors identified in the documents DARA has filed, or will file, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Copies of DARA's filings with the SEC may be obtained from the SEC Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. DARA expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward -looking statements contained herein to reflect an y change in DARA's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based. DARA BioSciences and the DARA logo are trademarks of DARA BioSciences, Inc.