by Calvert Research on June 10, 2009
CARY, North Carolina (June 9, 2009). Calvert Research today announced the execution of a license agreement with Tulane University granting Calvert Research (through its wholly owned subsidiary, Calvert T1, LLC) certain rights to issued patents and patent applications covering a technology platform and novel compounds which have the potential to treat a debilitating eye disease known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The patented compounds and technology licensed by Calvert T1 were developed in the laboratory of Dr. David H. Coy and his team at the Peptide Research Laboratory at Tulane University.
AMD is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly, affecting millions worldwide and results from the progressive deterioration of the macula, which are the light-sensitive cells of the central retina at the back of the eye. AMD is characterized by two types: a dry (atrophic) and wet (exudative) form. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina begin to grow under the macula, often leaking blood and fluid that can lead to visual distortions, a decrease or loss of central vision, and eventual blindness.
The preclinical stage compounds licensed by Calvert T1 combine the known anti-proliferative effects of a somatostatin peptide analog with a cytotoxic drug chemically linked to the peptide, resulting in a dual mechanism drug candidate designed to specifically target and kill abnormal blood vessels found in wet AMD patients.
The lead compound from this technology platform has shown activity in an animal model of AMD. Calvert T1 intends to advance it further through additional preclinical studies using its network of preferred pharmaceutical development service providers including Calvert Laboratories, Inc., a leading contract laboratory offering toxicology, pharmacology, immunology, pharmacokinetic and other preclinical services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry.
Russ C. McLauchlan, Chairman and CEO of Calvert Holdings commented: “We are very pleased to enter into this agreement with Dr. Coy and his colleagues at Tulane to further develop this very promising technology for the treatment of wet AMD. This disease is of growing concern to millions of people as our population ages. Calvert has a strong commitment to work with research universities such as Tulane to advance these research efforts.” He added: “Calvert T1 is a continuation of investments in a range of technologies over the last several years. Other investments include the following: CureDM (Lankenau Institute) for diabetes, Auburn University for targeted drug delivery, Pinnacle Pharmaceuticals (University of Virginia) for wound healing, and AcSentient II (now owned by Ista Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for ocular hypertension/open-angle glaucoma.
About Tulane University
Tulane University is one of the nation’s leading educational and research institutions. Founded in 1834 in New Orleans, Tulane has ten schools and colleges offering degrees in architecture, business, law, liberal arts, medicine, public health and tropical medicine, the sciences and engineering, and social work.
About Calvert Holdings, Inc.
Formed in 1996, Calvert Holdings, Inc. (www.calvertholdings.com) is a privately-held company consisting of a diverse portfolio of companies including the following: Calvert Laboratories, Inc.; Calvert Research, LLC; Calvert Creative, LLC; Carolina Securities, Inc. and Calvert Cafe.
Calvert Holdings is a company of people who are passionately engaged in contributing to the future well being of the planet we live on. By analyzing how emerging discoveries and current trends will affect future global needs, we position resources and apply our skills to meet them.
by Calvert Research on February 19, 2009
Calvert Research announced today the signing of a collaborative agreement with CureDM to continue the preclinical development of CureDM’s HIP2B peptide. Calvert and CureDM have been working together for the past two years to identify a lead candidate in the CureDM portfolio. Calvert and CureDM will now work toward preparing an IND submission by the end of 2009.
Located on the Lankenau Institute Medical Research campus in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, CureDM is developing a humanized peptide, HIP2B, which has promise to regenerate insulin-producing islet cells and stimulate differentiation of adult pancreatic progenitor cells, a potential benefit to type 1 and 2 patients with diabetes. “This could be a true breakthrough for diabetes because it addresses the underlying deficiency of pancreatic islets,” according to CureDM’s Chief Medical Officer, Claresa Levetan, MD. Calvert has invested in CureDM on a number of fronts including preclinical studies at Calvert Laboratories (a Calvert Holdings unit), project management services, and corporate identity development.
Dr. Dana Minnick, Director of Project Management, will oversee Calvert activities supporting the preclinical development of HIP2B. According to Dr. Minnick: “HIP2B is a novel technology with the potential to treat all forms of diabetes. Early preclinical studies support the proposed mechanism of action and suggest an exciting new target for diabetes treatment complementary to current therapies.”
by Calvert Research on December 17, 2008
Calvert Research is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Dana Minnick as Director of Project Management. Earning a PhD, MS, and BA from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Minnick pursued post-doctoral studies at the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, Research Triangle Park, NC. In 2006, Dr. Minnick received the GlaxoSmithKline Excellence in Science award.
Bringing almost a decade of pharmaceutical experience in preclinical drug discovery and development, Dr. Minnick stated: “I am excited to be joining Calvert Research. I look forward to being a part of this talented team committed to bridging the gap between drug discovery and clinical development.”
Established in 2003 to work with early-stage companies to advance their lead candidate biopharmaceuticals, Calvert Research has further evolved to working closely with technology transfer executives of major universities across the country to identify, license, and develop novel compounds. Mr. Russ McLauchlan, CEO, noted: “Dr. Minnick’s professional experiences fit perfectly into our organization. She brings the skills to advance our group’s capabilities as we continue to identify technologies we expect to license and develop and a personality that reflects our corporate image. We’re glad she has joined us and we all look forward to working with her.”
by Calvert Research on October 3, 2008
Strategic Partnership Focuses on Target Drug Delivery
Calvert Research and Auburn University announced a joint research project entitled Targeted Drug Delivery. Undertaken through the Auburn University Department of Pathobiology, the six-month study is under the direction of Dr. Valery Petrenko. Dr. Lonnie Bookbinder, West Coast Regional Director, is coordinating the research on behalf of Calvert Research.
The study will center on the hypothesis that targeting siRNA-containing pharmaceutical nanocarriers, such as liposomes, with breast tumor-specific phage proteins may significantly enhance their anti-cancer activity. “This particular study was selected after an extensive nationwide effort to research numerous potential delivery technologies,” stated Dr. Booklbinder. He continued by adding: “Calvert Research looks forward to advancing science through this partnership with Auburn University and Dr. Petrenko.”
“The Auburn project fits our plans to invest in novel therapeutic approaches that will advance clinical development of new drug compounds. We share the belief that future pharmaceuticals and biologicals will have targeted delivery,” explained Russ McLauchlan, CEO of Calvert Holdings, Inc. “Our alliance with Auburn University gives us a position in this growing field.”
Scheduled to conclude in April 2009, the study’s results will be published by Auburn University.
by Calvert Research on April 30, 2008
CureDM, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing new therapies to prevent, ameliorate, or reverse both type 1 and 2 diabetes, announces successful stabilization of their patented Human proIslet Peptide (HIP). By stabilizing HIP, CureDM improved its bioavailability. Recently completed studies indicate that human dosage requirements may be as much as 100-fold lower than the native form. HIP is a 14-amino acid human peptide derived from a specific human gene responsible for populating the pancreas with islets, which contain the cells that secrete insulin and other hormones necessary to prevent diabetes.
According to the CEO of CureDM, Loraine V. Upham,
“Meeting this milestone has a significant impact on the commercial value of Human proIslet Peptide. Not only does this mean lower costs associated with the manufacture and commercialization, but also potentially better safety and tolerable outcomes in human trials.”
CureDM has filed with the FDA and anticipates approval for commencement of human studies in early 2009.
Further studies are underway to determine just how low of a dose is possible. Previous studies have confirmed that the stabilization of HIP did not adversely affect the efficacy and demonstrated that normal glucose levels were achieved after 25 days of treatment and remained normal after the therapy was stopped.
About HIP
Human proIslet Peptide (HIP) stimulates the differentiation of pancreatic progenitor cells, which are present in the adult pancreas, into new insulin-producing islets. Each new islet contains pools of beta cells which make insulin. It is hypothesized that treatment with this therapeutic will restore human pancreatic function without the use of stem cells.
About CureDM
The CureDM approach to restore new insulin-producing cells through islet neogenesis can potentially reverse both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes will require pretreatment with an immune tolerance agent to protect new islets formed by HIP. CureDM, Inc., located at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research on the Lankenau Hospital campus in Wynnewood, PA, is developing peptide therapeutics using a platform that combines bioinformatics, proteomics and Human Genome sequence data. This method has enabled the CureDM scientific team to determine the proteins involved in, and probable mechanisms of islet neogenesis in humans.
For more information about CureDM, visit www.curedm.com.
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