Cryptome to Apply its Drug Discovery Technology to Neuroinflammatory Diseases
Sydney—16 December 2004: Cryptome Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:CRP) announced today that it is initiating a program to apply its proprietary CryptomicsTM drug discovery platform to the field of neuroinflammatory diseases. The company has engaged Professor Claude Bernard, a world authority on multiple sclerosis and other neuroinflammatory conditions, to lead the program. The CryptomicsTM drug discovery platform is a systematic approach to the identification of protein fragments with previously undiscovered therapeutic activities. This approach has already yielded a novel drug candidate in the cardiovascular field (CR001) and hits are rapidly emerging for cancer. The world market for drugs to treat neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, stroke and Alzheimer’s is currently about US$5 billion. With the ageing population, this market is projected to double within five years. In this therapeutic area, many of the approved and emerging drugs are proteins. Cryptome’s Acting CEO, Professor Mathew Vadas said, “The strong market demand for protein molecules for patients with neuroinflammatory disease represents a natural opportunity for Cryptome. Our platform can rapidly produce drug candidates with improved efficacy and fewer side effects.” Professor Claude Bernard is the Foundation Director of the Neuroimmunology Laboratory and Professor of Neuroimmunology in the Department of Biochemistry at La Trobe University. He has made major contributions to the understanding of multiple sclerosis and autoimmunity; and has published over 180 scientific papers, many in prestigious scientific journals such as Nature, Science, Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences, & the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Cryptome Chairman Graham Kelly said, “We are delighted to have someone of Professor Bernard’s standing to join the Cryptome team. His consultant role in the program is consistent with the company strategy of attracting the best specialist scientists to direct and oversee research activities within the company in their respective fields of expertise. “ Professor Bernard has commenced discussions with potential collaborative partners to work with Cryptome to drive the neuroinflammatory program forward. The partners will allow faster development of libraries for screening on the CryptomicsTM platform and animal models for testing of drug candidates to emerge from the screening process. About Cryptome Pharmaceuticals Cryptome Pharmaceuticals Ltd is a globally-linked, Melbourne-based biotechnology company created to discover and develop effective and safe protein-derived medicines targeting cancer and cardiovascular disease, using a proprietary proteomics-based technology platform. Cryptome exploits evolution for accelerated drug discovery.
