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Idera Pharmaceuticals Announces Issuance of US Patent for Novel Oligonucleotide Compositions Targeted to Toll-like Receptors
Friday, October 05, 2007
Cambridge, MA -- Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX: IDP) today announced the issuance of US patent 7,276,489 (the '489 patent) for novel oligonucleotide compositions. The claims of this patent, entitled "Modulation of Immunostimulatory Properties of Oligonucleotide-Based Compounds By Optimal Presentation of 5' Ends," cover oligonucleotide compositions in which two oligonucleotides are attached together through their 3' ends and contain various synthetic immune stimulatory motifs. These claims provide additional protection for the Company's TLR9-targeted compounds, including its two lead product candidates, IMO-2055 and IMO-2125.
"We are pleased to have received the claims of the '489 patent for novel structures of oligonucleotide compositions,'" said Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. "The claims of the '489 patent and our previously issued patents (e.g. US7,262,286; US7,176,296; US7,115,579; US7,105,495) are the result of our chemistry-based approach in identifying TLR9-targeted compounds. We are using the technologies claimed in our patents and patent applications to design novel compounds for our internal programs and for partnered programs."
Presently, the Company holds more than 210 patents and patent applications world-wide covering novel agonists and antagonists of TLR7, 8, and 9.
About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Idera Pharmaceuticals is a drug discovery and development company that is developing drug candidates to treat cancer and infectious, respiratory, and autoimmune diseases, and for use as vaccine adjuvants. Idera's proprietary drug candidates are designed to modulate specific TLRs, which are a family of immune system receptors. Idera's pioneering DNA chemistry expertise enables it to identify drug candidates for internal development and creates opportunities for multiple collaborative alliances. Idera's most advanced clinical candidate, IMO-2055, is an agonist of TLR9 and is currently in a Phase 2 trial in oncology and in a Phase 1/2 chemotherapy combination trial in oncology. Idera's second TLR9 agonist, IMO-2125, is currently in a Phase 1 trial for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. Idera is collaborating with Novartis International Pharmaceutical, Ltd. for the discovery, development, and commercialization of TLR9 agonists for the treatment of asthma and allergy indications. Idera is also collaborating with Merck & Co., Inc. for the use of Idera's TLR7, 8 and 9 agonists in combination with Merck's therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines in the areas of oncology, infectious diseases, and Alzheimer's disease. For more information, visit www.iderapharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "should," "could," "will," "may," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Idera's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including whether products based on Idera's technology will advance into or through the clinical trial process on a timely basis or at all and receive approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether the Company will complete enrollment of clinical trials or announce trial results in the time expected; whether, if the Company's products receive approval, they will be successfully distributed and marketed; whether the results of preclinical studies will be indicative of results that may be obtained in clinical trials; whether the Company's collaborations with Novartis and Merck will be successful; whether the patents and patent applications owned or licensed by Idera such as the patents referred to above will protect the Company's technology and prevent others from infringing it; whether Idera's cash resources will be sufficient to fund product development and clinical trials; and such other important factors as are set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in Idera's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 1, 2007, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. Idera disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
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