RADNOR, Pa., Oct. 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PolyMedix, Inc. (OTCBB:PYMX), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat acute cardiovascular disorders and life-threatening infectious diseases, presented clinical and pre-clinical data related to the spectrum of activity and safety of its novel defensin-mimetic antibiotic, PMX-30063. The data was presented in poster format at the 49th annual meeting of the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and the HIV Medicine Association in Boston on October 21, 2011. PMX-30063 is currently in a multi-national Phase 2 clinical trial to treat patients with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by Staph aureus bacteria.
In a poster titled, "In vitro and ex-vivo antimicrobial activity of PMX-30063 – a novel mimic of host defense proteins," PolyMedix in collaboration with Eurofins Global Infectious Disease Service, presented the spectrum of activity of PMX-30063 against a diverse array of recent clinical isolates. The results support the broad spectrum of activity of PMX-30063 against Gram-positive and certain evaluated Gram-negative organisms including multidrug resistant species. In addition, ex vivo studies were performed to determine the antimicrobial activity in serum following PMX-30063 infusion into healthy subjects that participated in one of PolyMedix's Phase 1 clinical studies. The results of this study showed that PMX-30063, after administration to humans, demonstrated antimicrobial activity in human blood plasma against both resistant and susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA).
In a second poster titled, "PMX-30063 Clinical and Preclinical Investigations of Transient, Treatment Related Neurosensory Effects," PolyMedix presented pre-clinical and clinical data to support the safety of PMX-30063. PolyMedix conducted studies to determine the effect of PMX-30063 on peripheral nerve function in rats and on individual ion channels. In addition, neurological scales were used in a Phase 1 study to assess the association of neurosensory symptoms and signs following exposure to PMX-30063 in humans. Results from the pre-clinical and clinical studies indicated that the effect of PMX-30063 is of pharmacological nature and does not represent neurotoxicity.
The above mentioned presentations are available on the Company's website at http://www.polymedix.com/presentations.php:
About IDSA
IDSA is a professional society that represents more than 9,000 physicians, scientists and other health care professionals who specialize in infectious diseases. IDSA's purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities, and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health, and prevention relating to infectious diseases. The IDSA 49th Annual Meeting features the latest research from the world's leading experts in the field of infectious diseases.
About PMX-30063
PolyMedix's novel antibiotic compound, PMX-30063, is a small-molecule designed to mimic the activity of human host-defense proteins (HDPs), the body's natural defense against bacterial infections. HDPs kill bacteria by directly targeting bacterial membranes and disrupting them. Widespread resistance to this mechanism of action has not developed despite millions of years of evolution. With PMX-30063 designed to mimic HDPs, we believe that resistance is also unlikely to evolve to this novel antibiotic, making PMX-30063 a potential solution to the growing problem of bacterial resistance. PMX-30063 has been tested in three Phase 1 clinical studies and is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial to treat patients with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by Staph aureus bacteria.
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.