SAN FRANCISCO, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Antipodean Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has completed its Phase 2 study of its lead compound, MitoQ(R) (mitoquinone) in liver disease. The results of the study will be presented at The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Annual Meeting, being held April 23 - 27 in Milan, Italy.
The poster, titled "Phase II Study of the Mitochondrial Antioxidant Mitoquinone for Hepatitis C," will be presented April 24, 2008. The 28-day study enrolled 30 patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV), who had not responded to or were unsuitable for interferon or ribavirin treatment, and measured the effect of MitoQ(R) on liver function tests. Edward Gane, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit at Auckland City Hospital, served as principal investigator for the study.
About Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
HCV, a viral infection of the liver, affects over 170 million people worldwide. Approximately 3 million people in the United States have chronic Hepatitis C infections; however, the true prevalence may be underestimated, since newly infected people usually are asymptomatic for many years. HCV infection is the leading cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure. Current treatment strategies focus on achieving a sustained virologic response, but available therapies have poor side-effect profiles and eradicate HCV in only approximately 50% of individuals. New novel therapies for eradicating the HCV virus and slowing the progression of liver scarring are needed. Evidence shows that HCV can directly alter mitochondrial function, leading to increased reactive oxygen species (free-radical) production that can lead to scarring of the liver and cirrhosis.
About MitoQ(R)
MitoQ(R) is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that selectively blocks mitochondrial oxidative damage and prevents liver cell apoptosis. MitoQ(R) is based on a novel technology, targeted lipophilic cations that transport and concentrate antioxidants into the mitochondria -- organelles inside cells that provide energy for life processes -- where they accumulate up to a thousand fold.
About Antipodean
Antipodean is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing targeted molecules that prevent oxidative damage to endothelial, epithelial and liver cells leading to apoptosis and fibrosis. The company has research collaborations with pre-clinical and clinical investigators in Cambridge, UK, Auckland, New Zealand, and several centers in the US to identify and develop lead compounds through to clinical proof-of-principle. Currently the company's lead compounds target liver and skin diseases. Antipodean is located in San Francisco, California. Further information is available at http://www.antipodeanpharma.com
SOURCE Antipodean Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
