RADNOR, Pa., Sept. 19, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PolyMedix, Inc. (OTCBB:PYMX), an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat acute cardiovascular disorders and life-threatening infectious diseases, today announced the presentation of data at the 51st Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) in Chicago on September 17 and 18, 2011. PolyMedix was selected by ICAAC as part of a select group to participate in a special oral session that featured new antimicrobial agents in development. In addition, PolyMedix presented data, in poster format, on both its lead defensin-mimetic antibiotic compound, PMX-30063 and other new antibiotic compounds.
In an oral poster preview session on Saturday, September 17, Dr. Richard Scott, Vice President of Research at PolyMedix, presented data on PolyMedix's new class of defensin-mimetic antibiotics, including PMX-30063. Dr. Scott's presentation highlighted significant attributes of PolyMedix's defensin-mimetic antibiotics including, the novel mechanism of action which mimics innate human immunity and makes bacterial resistance unlikely to develop, the unique resistance profile which exerts bactericidal activity against bacteria that are resistant to conventional antibiotics, the basic principles underlying the antimicrobial activities of the defensin-mimetics, the spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, and the wide selectivity for bacteria over mammalian cells. In addition, pre-clinical data showing activities against biowarfare pathogens and MRSA biofilms were presented. Dr. Scott closed his presentation with a discussion on PMX-30063, PolyMedix's lead antibiotic compound currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial.
PolyMedix also presented the following pre-clinical and clinical data in poster form:
- "Safety and Multiple Dose Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous PMX-30063: A Novel Class of Antibiotics"
PolyMedix conducted a Phase 1 trial to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of multiple doses of PMX-30063 in male and female healthy subjects. In this study, PMX-30063 was administered up to 14 days at the highest dose that is currently being tested in an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial. The results showed dose-dependent pharmacokinetics consistent with linear behavior and no apparent gender effects. Safety parameters, such as paraesthesia and increases in blood pressure and heart rate, were transient and fully reversible following drug discontinuation. In conclusion, pharmacokinetics and safety observations from this study support once daily dosing for five days as is being conducted in an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial.
- "Activity of Nonpeptidic Mimics of Host Defense Proteins against Bacillus anthracis in a Mouse Aerosol Challenge Model"
PolyMedix tested several of its defensin-mimetic antibiotic compounds that are well-tolerated and exhibit low cytotoxicity, including one that is a close structural analog of PMX-30063, in an animal model against Bacillus anthracis, the bacteria that causes anthrax. The results identified lead compounds that were highly active in this stringent model when treatment was initiated as late as one day following infection. These results support further study of anti-biowarfare indications and other related infections.
The above mentioned presentations are available on the Company's website at http://www.polymedix.com/presentations.php:
About ICAAC
The Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) is an annual event hosted by the American Society for Microbiology and is the premier meeting on infectious diseases. For the past 51 years, the meeting has presented late-breaking scientific information featuring physicians, researchers and other healthcare professionals from around the world fostering solutions for the problem of infectious disease.
About PolyMedix, Inc.
PolyMedix is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class, small-molecule drugs for the treatment of serious acute care conditions. PolyMedix has a pipeline of novel cardiovascular and infectious disease product candidates, all of which were internally developed using proprietary computational drug design technologies. The lead compound in PolyMedix's cardiovascular program is PMX-60056, which is designed to modulate coagulation and mitigate bleeding in certain interventional cardiology procedures, such as Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), and emergency situations. PMX-60056 has met safety and efficacy endpoints in four clinical trials conducted to date demonstrating clinical proof of concept. PMX-60056 is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients undergoing PCI. The lead compound in PolyMedix's infectious disease program is PMX-30063, a new class of antibiotic – a defensin-mimetic – designed to mimic first-line human innate immunity, or host defense proteins. This innovative approach utilizes the same mechanism of action that evolved in nature which higher life forms use to protect themselves from bacteria. Having the same mechanism of action as the host defense proteins, PMX-30063 is designed to directly address one of the most significant issues in infectious disease today – drug resistance, which is believed to be much less likely to develop with PMX-30063. PMX-30063 is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial to treat patients with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI) caused by Staph aureus bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA). PolyMedix is also leveraging its antimicrobial expertise with the PolyCides®, antimicrobial additives to materials, such as cosmetics, plastics and textiles, to create self-sterilizing products and surfaces. For more information, please visit our website at www.polymedix.com.
The PolyMedix, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10449
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause PolyMedix's actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. PolyMedix has in some cases identified forward-looking statements by using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "hopes," "estimates," "looks," "expects," "plans," "intends," "goal," "potential," "may," "suggest," and similar expressions. Among other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements are PolyMedix's need for, and the availability of, substantial capital in the future to fund its operations and research and development, and the fact that PolyMedix's compounds may not successfully complete pre-clinical or clinical testing, or be granted regulatory approval to be sold and marketed in the United States or elsewhere. A more complete description of these risk factors is included in PolyMedix's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. PolyMedix undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law or regulation.