Bionovo Publishes Discoveries in Predictable Tissue Selectivity for Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators Platform
- Results Presented in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology -
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bionovo, Inc.
(Nasdaq: BNVI) announced today results describing predictable estrogen
regulatory elements that can be used to identify estrogenic drugs that are
safer. The data, published in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, showed
that the new regulatory elements can distinguish the estrogenic
pharmacological activity exerted by different compounds and allow for more
accurate prediction of specific tissue effect.
"Selective estrogen modulators (SERMs) are an exciting class of drugs that
are used to prevent breast cancer and osteoporosis and differ from estrogens
in how they regulate gene transcription," said Dr. Dale Leitman, from the
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the
University of California, San Francisco. "This study identified gene elements
that are activated by SERMs but not by estrogens used in hormone therapy. The
identification of these elements, coupled with the understanding of the
differential regulation in various tissues by each estrogen receptor subtype,
provides a new platform for the discovery of safer estrogenic drugs with
SERM-like profiles to prevent and treat a variety of clinical conditions
associated with menopause."
The study was conducted by investigators at The Center for Reproductive
Sciences in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
at the University of California, San Francisco in collaboration with
scientists at Bionovo.
"The discovery of these selective estrogen regulatory elements strengthens
our SERM discovery engine," said Isaac Cohen, Bionovo's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. "The advantage of the new array, of specific regulatory
elements, is manifest in the pharmacological and toxicological insights
gained. We can now acquire higher predictive value and greater specificity
from a complex biological system such as the regulation of the estrogen
receptor pathways. I believe this puts Bionovo at the forefront of future SERM
products which are far more specific and a more favorable safety profile. This
is a breakthrough for all future drugs that regulate the vast diverse effects
of conditions affected by nuclear receptors. Bionovo is positioned to explore
and exploit these pathways for many serious diseases with its expanded
scientific collaborations. We are proud to continue pursuing our innovative
approaches to drug discovery and development in these challenging times."
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.
-0- 01/02/2009
/CONTACT: Claire Fong or Tom Chesterman, both of Bionovo, Inc.,
+1-510-601-2000, investor@bionovo.com/
/Web site: http://www.bionovo.com /
(BNVI)
CO: Bionovo, Inc.
ST: California
IN: HEA MTC BIO PUB
SU: SVY PDT
LR-CB
-- AQF011 --
1866 01/02/2009 18:02 EST http://www.prnewswire.com
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