Two New Research Papers Published on Thymosin Beta 4
Additionally, researchers at the Peking Union Medical College in Bejing, PR China, reported that recombinant thymosin beta 4 can promote full thickness cutaneous (dermal) wound healing, which confirms the dermal wound healing results first reported by Dr. Hynda Kleinman and her colleagues at the National Institutes of Health. The paper was published in the journal, Protein Expression & Purification, (2007), doi:10.1016/J.pcp.2007.08.011. According to the researchers, "Treatment with TB4 resulted in increased re-epithelialization and considerable capillary in-growth. Vessel counts showed a significant increase in the number of vessels in the TB4-treated wounds. We also observed an increase in the deposition/accumulation of collagen in the TB4-treated wounds."
"The data supporting the use of TB4 as a wound healing and anti-inflammatory agent continues to accumulate, confirmed by independent researchers throughout the world in ophthalmic, dermal and cardiovascular tissues. The broad clinical potential of TB4 is becoming ever more compelling," stated Dr. Gabriel Sosne, whose research team has conducted the corneal research on TB4 and who is a member of RegeneRx's Medical and Scientific Advisory Board.
About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
RegeneRx is focused on the discovery and development of novel molecules to accelerate tissue and organ repair. Currently, RegeneRx is developing TB4, a 43 amino acid peptide, in part, under an exclusive world-wide license from the National Institutes of Health. Preliminary research suggests that TB4 may prove efficacious for multiple indications; therefore, RegeneRx is developing TB4 as the cornerstone of its therapeutic platform. The technology platform has many potential applications in both the pharmaceutical and consumer products sectors. RegeneRx holds nearly 60 world-wide patents and patent applications related to dermal, ocular, and internal wounds and tissue repair, cardiac and neurological injuries, septic shock and several consumer product areas. RegeneRx is currently sponsoring three Phase 2 chronic dermal wound healing clinical trials and has additionally targeted ophthalmic and cardiac trials in 2007 as part of its ongoing clinical development program.
The RegeneRx Technology Platform
TB4 is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring peptide present in virtually all human cells. It is a first-in-class drug candidate that promotes endothelial cell differentiation, angiogenesis in dermal tissues, keratinocyte migration, collagen deposition, and down-regulates inflammation. One of TB4's key mechanisms of action is its ability to regulate the cell-building protein, actin, a vital component of cell structure and movement. Of the thousands of proteins in cells, actin represents up to 10% of the total protein and, thus, plays a major role in the physiology of the cell. RegeneRx has identified several molecular variations of TB4 that may affect the aging of skin, among other properties, and could be important candidates as active ingredients in pharmaceutical and consumer products. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health, and at other academic institutions throughout the U.S., have published numerous scientific articles indicating that TB4 is effective in accelerating dermal and corneal wound healing in several animal models, under a variety of conditions. In two articles published in the scientific journal, Nature, researchers found that TB4 protects heart tissue following a myocardial infarction and can regenerate coronary vessels in laboratory animals. Abstracts of scientific papers related to TB4's mechanisms of action may be viewed at RegeneRx's web page: www.regenerx.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
The information in this press release may include certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements concern the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including the ongoing and prospective development of TB4 and possible future benefits to the Company, its shareholders, and patients. Due to the nature of product development and the regulatory approval process, the forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those reflected in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by the Company.
Contact
RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
J.J. Finkelstein, 301-280-1992
jjfnk@regenerx.com
Posted: October 2007
