WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Aug. 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endocyte, Inc. (Nasdaq:ECYT), a leader in developing targeted small molecule drug conjugates (SMDCs) and companion imaging agents for personalized therapy, today announced that three posters will be presented by Endocyte scientists at the 248th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting & Exposition being held in San Francisco, August 10-14, 2014.
"Over the past several years, clinical data have demonstrated the potential of Endocyte's versatile technology platform for developing SMDCs targeting specific cell-surface-receptors. One of our new investigational candidates, EC1456, is a proprietary injectable SMDC consisting of a folate targeting ligand linked to a potent cytotoxic agent, tubulysin B hydrazide," said Iontcho Vlahov, Ph.D., Endocyte's vice president of discovery chemistry. "The focus of one of our presentations is centered on a large scale synthesis of novel synthetic analogs of natural tubulysins. This is a demonstration of our capability to expand our arsenal of novel warheads by moving beyond natural products. Our second presentation reveals novel, highly regio-selective chemistries applied toward the synthesis and conjugation of an extremely cytotoxic metabolite of nemorubicin, known as PNU-159682. And in the third presentation, we discuss the design and synthesis of the first conjugate of aminopterin and a dendrimeric multivalent ligand binding to tuftsin receptors, expressed selectively on the surface of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes."
Presentations are as follows:
| Abstract #: 126 |
| Title: "Design and synthesis of the first tetrameric tuftsin aminopterin conjugate for active targeting therapy of autoimmune diseases" |
| When: Sunday, Aug. 10, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PT |
| Session ID: General Poster Session |
| Location: Moscone Center, West Building; Room: Exhibit Hall |
| Abstract #: 159 |
| Title: "Synthesis and regio-selective esterification of Nemorubicin metabolite (PNU-159682), a highly cytotoxic warhead for targeted therapies, and their folate conjugates" |
| When: Sunday, Aug. 10, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PT |
| Session ID: General Poster Session |
| Location: Moscone Center, West Building; Room: Exhibit Hall |
| Abstract #: 161 |
| Title: "Synthesis of highly potent tubulysin analogs as payloads for targeting therapies of cancer" |
| When: Sunday, Aug. 10, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PT |
| Session ID: General Poster Session |
| Location: Moscone Center, West Building; Room: Exhibit Hall |
About Endocyte
Endocyte is a biopharmaceutical company and leader in developing targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Endocyte uses its proprietary technology to create novel SMDCs and companion imaging agents for personalized targeted therapies. The company's SMDCs actively target receptors that are over-expressed on diseased cells, relative to healthy cells. This targeted approach is designed to enable the treatment of patients with highly active drugs at greater doses, delivered more frequently and over longer periods of time than would be possible with the untargeted drug alone. The companion imaging agents are designed to identify patients whose disease over-expresses the target of the therapy and who are therefore more likely to benefit from treatment. For additional information, please visit Endocyte's website at www.endocyte.com.