RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Islet Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:ISLT), a biopharmaceutical company developing new medicines and technologies for the treatment and diagnosis of metabolic disease, announced today that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its patent application titled, "Lisofylline Analogs and Methods for Use." The new patent (U.S #13/477,613) will extend coverage to include a significantly broader gamut of chemical compounds, which Islet may develop as immune-modulating drugs targeting an inflammatory pathway involved in a number important diseases, including diabetes and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Lisofylline (LSF) and its analogs have been shown to inhibit activation of pro-inflammatory immune signaling molecules IL-12 and STAT4, but clinical utility of these compounds has been limited by poor drug qualities. Islet Sciences is working to identify and develop first-in-class LSF analogs with superior chemical properties suitable for commercial drug development. Initial screens uncovered first-generation IL-12 antagonists able to protect insulin-producing beta-cells and preserve islet function in vitro, as well as delay onset of type I diabetes in a mouse model. Additional studies showed these immune modulators may directly reduce liver fibrosis in a rat model of NASH. The parent molecule, LSF, has also been examined in three human clinical studies where it was well tolerated with no serious adverse events.
William Wilkison, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer of Islet Sciences, stated, "Islet Sciences' strategy is to develop a franchise of novel treatments for metabolic disease. This patent allowance further strengthens our dominant intellectual property position by broadening the scope of compounds we can develop as IL-12 antagonists, and in effect, potentially broadening the types of diseases we may be able to address. In addition to diabetes and NASH, other studies suggest IL-12 inhibitors may be effective for atherosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy, and other diseases. We continue to create and screen additional compounds and expect to continue development of our current lead molecule ISLT-2669, as well as other lead candidates, once they are identified and sufficiently validated."
About Islet Sciences
Islet Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Raleigh, NC, is developing new medicines and technologies for the treatment and diagnosis of metabolic disease. On March 13, 2014, the Company announced the execution of a binding letter of intent to acquire BHV Pharma. The combined pipeline includes remogliflozin etabonate for the treatment of type II diabetes and NASH, a cell-based transplantation therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes; first-in-class immune-modulating small molecule IL-12 inhibitors targeting beta-cell preservation, and a PCR-based molecular diagnostic measuring beta-cell loss for the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes or onset of insulin dependent type 2 diabetes. For more information, please visit http://www.isletsciences.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements for Islet Sciences, Inc. reflect current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could cause future results to materially differ from the recent results or those projected in forward-looking statements include the risks described in the Islet Science, Inc.'s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's further development is highly dependent on future medical and research developments and market acceptance, which is outside of the Company's control.