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Drug Development Program Further Strengthened with
Issuance of a New Patent
Emeryville, CA-Nov. 17, 2004 — Acologix, Inc., a privately
held biopharmaceutical company, is pleased to announce the issuance
of United States Patent No. 6,818,745 ”Novel Polypeptide Hormone
Phosphatonin” by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
This new patent, owned by University College London and managed
by UCL Biomedica Plc, exclusively licensed to Acologix, covers broad
composition and use of the compound which the company is developing
as a therapeutic agent for chronic kidney disease and other disorders.
This patent claims the composition of an isolated polypeptide having
phosphatonin activity. Phosphatonin is an endogenous polypeptide
hormone, which regulates serum phosphate (PO4) levels that leads
to the goal of this invention to normalize serum PO4 in the patients.
For example, hyperphosphatemia, one of the most common complications
associated with chronic kidney disease which is widely accepted
as a critical cause of vascular calcification, could be treated
with the composition claimed in the patent.
Yoshi Kumagai, Acologix's President and Chief Executive Officer,
said, "We are pleased to have established broad patent protection
for our compounds. The issuance of this patent further strengthens
the underlying value within the Company as we've continued to build
a strong pipeline of drugs for unmet needs for diseases in osteo-renal
area. We intend to continue expanding our intellectual property
position in the United States and other regions all over the world."
Mr. Cengiz Tarhan, Managing Director of UCL Biomedica said, “We
are pleased to hear that Acologix is progressing so well with UCL’s
technology. This issuance of this patent coupled with the licensing
agreement clearly demonstrates that the world class research that
is being performed here at UCL can find useful commercial outlets
in partnerships with innovative companies such as Acologix.”
Acologix has issued and pending patents covering composition, use,
and method relating to its product candidates in North America,
Europe as well as several Asian countries.
About Acologix, Inc.
Acologix Inc., based in Emeryville, Calif., is a privately held
biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing
novel therapeutics primarily for the treatment of metabolic disorders
of kidney and bone that represent significant unmet medical needs.
Founded in 1992, the Company’s research and development efforts
are centered on the body’s metabolism of minerals and extracellular
matrix molecules. This has led to the identification of unique therapeutic
candidates for product development and commercialization. Acologix
is seeking strategic development, commercial partnerships and licensees
with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for several of its
programs.
About UCL
Founded in 1826, University College London (UCL) is the Sunday
Times University of the Year 2004 and the fourth-ranked UK university
in the top 500 world universities for 2004 league table produced
by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
About UCL BioMedica PLC
UCL Biomedica Plc (www.uclbiomedica.com) has been created through
the merger of UCL Ventures and Freemedic Plc. UCL Biomedica aims
to generate income and create capital value for UCL through the
commercial exploitation of the bioscience research base at UCL and
its associated Institutes. The company represents the integration
of two highly successful technology transfer offices. Founded in
1989, UCL Ventures was established to form the link between academia
and industry for the development of scientifically and commercially
valuable technologies arising from UCL. UCL Ventures returned over
£15 million to UCL. Freemedic was established in 1993 to commercialize
the intellectual property and other rights and opportunities arising
primarily from the Royal Free Campus of UCL’s Medical School.
Freemedic’s profits since 1996, all of which have been donated
to UCL and utilized for investment in the Royal Free Campus, have
exceeded £15 million.
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause
results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements.
The forward-looking statements include statements regarding product
development and cannot be guaranteed. Acologix undertakes no obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result
of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking
statements in this press release should be evaluated together with
the many uncertainties that affect Acologix’s business.
Company Contact
Yoshi Kumagai
President & CEO
Phone: 510.379.1073 ext 10
Fax: 510.379.1074
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