Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Expands Cancer Patent Portfolio
Receives Patent for its Antimetabolite Cancer Compound
ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX: RNN), a leader in innovative therapeutics for life-threatening and life-debilitating diseases, announced today that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has issued a new cancer patent (U.S. Patent 7,405,214) entitled, "Nucleoside Derivatives and Therapeutic Use Thereof," in support of the Company's continued efforts to develop superior cancer treatments.
This is the fourth patent in oncology and strengthens the anticancer pipeline of the Company. Earlier patents covering oncology target protein kinase Akt, transcription factor Hif-1 and oncogene product c-fos, respectively.
Chang H. Ahn, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, commented, "We are excited about what this additional patent means for the future of Rexahn. The team has worked diligently to develop a strong product pipeline that will position Rexahn at the forefront of today's anticancer drug industry. With our leading cancer drug, Archexin(TM), currently in Phase II trials and seven additional anticancer drug candidates in various stages of research and trials, including our proprietary nanomedicines, we anticipate tremendous success in the cancer market in the years ahead."
The new patent covers Rexahn's cancer compound, RX-3117, a novel nucleoside chemotherapy agent, which is classified as an antimetabolite. In preclinical studies, RX-3117 demonstrated potent inhibition of cell proliferation of many solid tumor types, of drug-resistant cancer cells and of tumor growth in xenografted models. RX-3117 may be effectively used for treating major solid tumors, in particular, the drug-resistant tumors.
About Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary technology platform to discover, develop and commercialize innovative treatments for cancer, central nervous system disorders, sexual dysfunction and other unmet medical needs. Rexahn's compounds are designed to uniquely treat various disease states while significantly minimizing side effects in order to allow patients to regain their quality of life. For Additional information about Rexahn visit www.rexahn.com
Safe Harbor
This press release contains statements (including projections and business trends) that are forward-looking statements. Rexahn's actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, Rexahn's lack of profitability, its auditor's going concern qualification and the need for additional capital to operate its business to develop its product candidates; the risk that Rexahn's development efforts relating to its product candidates may not be successful; the possibility of being unable to obtain regulatory approval of Rexahn's product candidates; the risk that the results of clinical trials may not be completed on time or support Rexahn's claims; demand for and market acceptance of Rexahn's drug candidates; Rexahn's reliance on third party researchers and manufacturers to develop its product candidates; Rexahn's ability to develop and obtain protection of its intellectual property; and other risk factors set forth from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof; Rexahn assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Source: Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Released September 3, 2008