NEWS & EVENTS
PRESS RELEASES 2006
ELUSYS THERAPEUTICS’ CEO TO PRESENT AT ANTI- INFECTIVES INDUSTRY SUMMIT
Pine Brook, NJ – January 24, 2006 – Elusys Therapeutics, a developer of targeted antiinfective therapeutics, today announced that Elizabeth Posillico, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, will be making a presentation at GTC BIO’s 3rd Anti-Infectives Partnering & Deal-Making Summit in San Diego, CA (January 26-28, 2006). The presentation will include an update on the Company’s antibody-based approaches for the treatment of antibiotic resistant infections. The Summit brings together a broad audience of representatives from government, industry and academia to participate in technical and business discussions. Elusys’ most advanced drug candidate is Anthim™, a high-affinity monoclonal antibody that targets the protective antigen (PA) component of anthrax, blocking the bacteria’s ability to form deadly toxins. Phase I human safety studies began in late 2005, after Anthim was granted Fast Track status by the Food and Drug administration (FDA) in May 2005. Anthim is being developed under the FDA Animal Rule, a regulatory process specifically designed for the development of medical countermeasures to bioterror threats. Due to the impressive efficacy and low intramuscular dose of Anthim, this drug is a lead candidate for purchase by the U.S. Government under Project Bioshield and the Company has initiated manufacturing scale-up for commercial production. Compared with other antibodies in development, Anthim has shown greater efficacy at a significantly lower dose when given prior to, or post-anthrax exposure, once symptoms have already begun.
Elusys’ pipeline of commercial products is based on the Company’s proprietary Heteropolymer (HP) Antibody technology. The Company’s lead HP drug (ETI-211) is being developed to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Preclinical in-vivo studies have demonstrated that ETI-211 provides significant protection against a lethal MRSA infection and also provides a protective immune response against a second infection. A Phase I study in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients in expected to begin in 2007.
About HP Antibody Technology
Elusys’ HP Antibody technology is a unique approach to the treatment of a variety of infectious diseases that enhances the effectiveness of the body’s natural defense mechanisms to remove and destroy pathogens. An HP antibody drug consists of a monoclonal antibody specific to a red blood cell receptor (CR1) that is chemically linked to a second antibody or receptor that binds a particular pathogen. After administration, the HP drug rapidly binds target pathogens to red blood cells and facilitates their clearance and destruction via liver macrophages. An animation of this technology is provided via the following link:
http://www.elusys.com/technology_hp_animation.html
About Elusys
Elusys is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of targeted anti-infective therapeutics using its proprietary Heteropolymer antibodies (HP) for the treatment of infectious disease. Current venture investors include Essex Woodlands Health Ventures LLC, Invesco Private Capital, Crescendo Ventures, EagleAdvisors, and the Legg Mason Emerald Fund. For more information on Elusys please visit www.elusys.com.
Elusys is currently raising approximately $15 million in additional venture capital funds from new and existing investors. Elusys was recently awarded $4.4M from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and $1M from the Department of Defense for advanced development of its Anthrax therapeutic, Anthim. To date, the Company has been awarded $20M from the U.S. Government for the development of novel therapeutics.