Argenta Discovery and Dr Reddy’s progress pre-clinical anti-inflammatory candidates

Dec. 20, 2007 - PRLog -- Argenta Discovery Limited, the respiratory drug discovery and development company, and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories , today announce a major milestone in their development programme targeting a novel disease-modifying approach to treat the underlying cause of certain chronic respiratory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe asthma.

Argenta’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Christopher Ashton said: “Just 18 months after signing the deal with Dr Reddy’s, the team has already selected the first candidate drug to proceed into pre-clinical development. We are very excited by the exceptional progress this programme has made within such a short timeframe. With GMP material already manufactured we are on target to enter Phase I in mid-2008 and Phase II in 2009. We believe we are first-in-class for this inhaled anti-inflammatory approach to treat chronic respiratory disease.”

Under the terms of the licensing agreement announced in February 2006, Argenta and Dr Reddy’s are collaborating to identify clinical candidates against an undisclosed but proven anti-inflammatory drug target and to develop these candidates to Phase II proof-of-concept.
Ashton added: “The programme is also likely to deliver high quality back-up candidates in the near future, which is testament to the overall strength and depth of the approach. This rapid progress towards the clinic is further validation that Argenta’s innovative ‘fast forward’ strategy for the rapid development of new respiratory medicines against well validated, precedented drug targets has achieved significant momentum. We are building a strong pipeline and have the funds to take all our programmes as far as clinical proof-of-concept.”

Notes to Editors
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease state characterized by airflow obstruction that is progressive and current therapies, including inhaled corticosteroids, fail to treat disease progression. COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with an overall prevalence in adults over 40 years currently estimated at between 9 and 10%. Unlike many other major diseases, deaths due to COPD are increasing and the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates by 2020 COPD will be the third leading cause of mortality and the fifth leading cause of morbidity in the world. Thus, there is a high level of unmet medical need for this progressive and debilitating disease.

About Dr Reddy’s:
Established in 1984, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories  is an emerging global pharmaceutical company with proven research capabilities. The Company is vertically integrated with a presence across the pharmaceutical value chain. It produces finished dosage forms, active pharmaceutical ingredients and biotechnology products and markets them globally, with focus on India, US, Europe and Russia. The Company conducts research in the areas of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, inflammation and bacterial infection. ( http://www.drreddys.com )

About Argenta Discovery:
Founded in August 2000, Argenta has leading expertise in chronic respiratory diseases, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and severe asthma. The company has generated a portfolio of pre-clinical anti-inflammatory programmes with the goal of taking these as far as Phase IIa proof-of-concept. In November 2006, Argenta initiated its first clinical trial with ADC4022, an investigational medicine for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and severe asthma.
Argenta also has a successful and growing contract research division that provides integrated drug discovery services to a range of leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. Argenta employs approximately 150 people and is based in Harlow and Slough, UK. ( www.argentadiscovery.com )
Contact Information

Dr. Reddy’s:
Investor Relations: Nikhil Shah at nikhilshah@drreddys.com or on +91-40-23731946 ext. 308
Media: M Mythili at mythilim@drreddys.com or on +91-40-66511620
Website: http://www.drreddys.com

Argenta Discovery :
Chris Ashton at chris.ashton@argentadiscovery.com or on +44 (0) 1279 645 645

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About Dr. Reddy's Laboratories  is an emerging global pharmaceutical company established in 1984, with proven research capabilities. The Company is vertically integrated with a presence across the pharmaceutical value chain. It produces finished dosage forms, active pharmaceutical ingredients and biotechnology products and markets them globally, with focus on India, US, Europe and Russia. The Company conducts research in the areas of diabetes, cardiovascular and cancer.

Website: www.drreddys.com