Bionovo's Estrogen Receptor Beta Selective Drugs Have Unique Gene Expression and Cell Type Specificity
Results Published in Public Library of Science One (PLoS One)
EMERYVILLE, Calif., July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bionovo,
Inc. (NASDAQ:BNVI)
announced today that a study of the gene regulation in multiple
cell lines by several of their estrogen receptor beta (ERb)
candidates will be published in Public Library of Science
One.
"In this study we show that plant-derived ERb compounds are as
selective as synthetic compounds, but regulate different genes.
Specifically, we have discovered that these compounds do not
promote breast or endometrial cancer in animal models, unlike many
estrogen therapies. This suggests that these plant-derived
ERb-selective compounds could lead to safer, more attractive
alternative therapies for menopausal symptoms," said Dr. Dale
Leitman, the Principal Investigator of the study.
The publication describes the analyses of three distinct classes
of ERb selective drugs. The study determines the relative ER
selectivity and pattern of gene expression of the three classes of
ERb selective compounds compared to the natural hormone estradiol,
which non-selectively regulates both ERa and ERb . The most
significant finding in the study was that the ERb-selective
compounds regulate a number of genes differently than estradiol, a
hormone therapy commonly used to treat women's health issues. This
discovery indicates that ERb agonists might be safer than current
estrogens used in hormone therapy. The study also demonstrates the
cell type selectivity of Menerba (MF101) and Liquiritigenin, two of
Bionovo's ERb selective drugs, in different cell types. These
compelling findings will serve as a strong impetus for Bionovo,
Inc. to continue investigating the unique abilities of their drugs
to safely and effectively treat menopausal symptoms.
"It is essential that new drug candidates demonstrate drug
selectivity and tissue specificity in order to minimize adverse
effects, particularly when the drug is being developed for the
treatment of common, recurring symptoms associated with menopause,
such as hot flashes. This is particularly important when developing
drugs that mediate their effects through estrogen receptors, which
are responsible for many functions in the body and are present in a
range of different tissues. Bionovo stands alone in its dedication
to identifying novel pathways in estrogen receptor signaling as
drug targets for the treatment of women's conditions," said Isaac
Cohen, Chairman and CEO of Bionovo, Inc. "We have been endeavoring
to develop more selective drugs in women's health, and Dr.
Leitman's study highlights the solid scientific underpinnings of
our ER beta selective drugs and underlines the deep biological
understanding we have of the mechanisms through which they
work."
Bionovo, Inc.
Bionovo is a pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and
development of safe and effective treatments for women's health and
cancer, markets with significant unmet needs and billions in
potential annual revenue. The company applies its expertise in the
biology of menopause and cancer to design new drugs derived from
botanical sources which have novel mechanisms of action. Based on
the results of early and mid-stage clinical trials, Bionovo
believes they have discovered new classes of drug candidates within
their rich pipeline with the potential to be leaders in their
markets. Bionovo is headquartered in Emeryville, California and is
traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol, "BNVI".
For more information about Bionovo and its programs, visit:
http://www.bionovo.com/.
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains certain forward-looking statements
relating to the business of Bionovo, Inc. that can be identified by
the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes,"
"expects," or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including
uncertainties relating to product development, efficacy and safety,
regulatory actions or delays, the ability to obtain or maintain
patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection,
market acceptance, physician acceptance, third party reimbursement,
future capital requirements, competition in general and other
factors that may cause actual results to be materially different
from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or
expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be
described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, which are available at http://www.sec.gov/. Bionovo, Inc. is
under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation)
to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Source: Bionovo, Inc.
CONTACT: Claire Fong or Tom Chesterman, both of Bionovo,
Inc.,
+1-510-601-2000, investor@bionovo.com
Web Site: http://www.bionovo.com
Posted: July 2009
