To: HEALTH, MEDICAL AND NATIONAL EDITORS
Grant Funds Work of Tivorsan Pharmaceuticals' Team to Bring Recombinant Biglycan to the Clinic for the Possible Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
HACKENSACK, N.J., Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) announced today that it will award Tivorsan Pharmaceuticals (Tivorsan) a $500,000 grant to develop the company's biglycan therapeutic candidate for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100119/DC39975LOGO)
Dr. Justin Fallon of Brown University, the founding scientist of Tivorsan, was the recipient of PPMD's first End Duchenne Grant in 2008. Building on that work, the Tivorsan team seeks to use recombinant human biglycan (rh-BGN) to increase utrophin at the muscle cell membrane, resulting in reduced muscle damage and improved function.
Utrophin is a molecule that is related to dystrophin in structure and form and can "stand in" for dystrophin when present in greater than normal quantities. Biglycan is a naturally occurring protein made up of amino acids and carbohydrate chains that is found in large amounts on the outside of developing and regenerating muscle cells. The form of biglycan that is active therapeutically contains only simple carbohydrate side chains. For this reason, rh-BGN is straightforward to manufacture.
PPMD President and CEO Pat Furlong believes biglycan is a promising therapy candidate in Duchenne and is happy to again support this project as Tivorsan prepares to take it to human clinical trials: "Dr. Fallon's work at Brown University over the last twenty years on the role of extracellular matrix proteins in organizing the muscle cell surface, shows promising results that will directly impact everyone in the Duchenne patient community. His lab's, and now his company's, translational research in muscular dystrophy will support the development of recombinant human biglycan as a therapy for Duchenne. The potential of research like Dr. Fallon's is exactly why we established the End Duchenne Grant Award Program in 2008, and why we are honored to be part of the team bringing this work closer to trial, today."
Dr. Fallon was thrilled to receive the news that PPMD would be supporting biglycan development again. "Biglycan has the potential to slow the progression of Duchenne in every boy diagnosed--no matter his genetic mutation. Not everyone saw the potential in biglycan during our earlier efforts. But PPMD had the vision to see the promise we saw, and when they awarded us the End Duchenne Grant, it reinvigorated my lab's work. I am certain that the NIH U-01 Translational Development Award that my laboratory received in 2009 for further developing biglycan would not have been possible without PPMD's early support. Now PPMD is coming through again with the financial assistance we need to move biglycan into human clinical trials."
"We are so appreciative of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy for their ongoing support of the work we are doing in collaboration with Dr. Fallon and his team at Brown University," said Joel B. Braunstein, M.D., co-founder and CEO of Tivorsan Pharmaceuticals. "We are making definitive progress with biglycan, and we are highly driven to bring an effective muscular dystrophy therapy to market. To our Tivorsan team, PPMD represents the voice of the Duchenne community. This support is critical to our ability to navigate through the drug development process and achieve meaningful milestones."
Ms. Furlong explained that PPMD has a long history of supporting promising therapies and taking risk on research strategies that otherwise might not get the financial backing they need. "PPMD just completed a holiday campaign raising money specifically directed towards funding this biglycan project. We see a future without Duchenne, and we believe that biglycan will play an important role. We take our responsibility to our families very seriously: to thoroughly vet and financially support any research project, any therapy that brings us one step closer to this goal. We have a Drug Development Advisory Committee comprised of the top Duchenne experts in the world that help us make each funding decision. We will continue to award grants to projects like biglycan, that treat all patients living with Duchenne, whenever the opportunity presents itself."
For more about Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy's grant program, as well as a comprehensive list of what we are funding, please visit ParentProjectMD.org/Research.
About Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne is a fatal genetic disorder that slowly robs young men of their muscle strength. Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy is the largest most comprehensive nonprofit organization in the United States focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy--our mission is to end Duchenne.
We invest deeply in treatments for this generation of young men affected by Duchenne and in research that will benefit future generations. We advocate in Washington, DC, and have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. We demand optimal care, and we strengthen, unite, and educate the global Duchenne community.
Everything we do--and everything we have done since our founding in 1994--helps boys with Duchenne live longer, stronger lives. We will not rest until every young man has a treatment to end Duchenne. Go to http://www.ParentProjectMD.org for more information or to learn how you can support our efforts and help families affected by Duchenne.
Tivorsan Pharmaceuticals
Tivorsan Pharmaceuticals is a protein therapeutics company pioneering a unique approach to treating serious neuromuscular disorders, including Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.
This method, using recombinant human biglycan (rhBGN), is based on 24 years of basic science work in the Fallon laboratory at Brown University. Tivorsan was formed by Dr. Justin Fallon in collaboration with colleagues from Old Forge Holdings, LLC of Greenwich, CT and LifeTech Research, Inc, a Baltimore, MD-based technology research and development firm.
SOURCE Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy
-0-
View original post here:
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Awards $500,000 to Tivorsan Pharmaceuticals
- Muscular .Dystrophy -Successful-treatment by acupressure , Ayurveda, Yoga - May 10th, 2011 [May 10th, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy Treatment - Todd Harrison Improving Balance - May 16th, 2011 [May 16th, 2011]
- Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD): Exploring Causes and Treatment - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy Treatment - Todd Harrison holding body weight - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- David G VECTTOR Muscular Dystrophy Treatment double arm strength month 6 - May 22nd, 2011 [May 22nd, 2011]
- David Gould Becker Muscular Dystrophy VECTTOR Treatment - June 2nd, 2011 [June 2nd, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy Halo - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy VECTTOR Treatment Documentary - Todd's 6 Month Journey - June 7th, 2011 [June 7th, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy Treatment Results - David Gould - New Footage - June 8th, 2011 [June 8th, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy - Rewriting History with VECTTOR - June 10th, 2011 [June 10th, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy - David Gould 5 month VECTTOR treatment for BMD - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy Stem Cell Treatment - Reelabs India - June 14th, 2011 [June 14th, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy VECTTOR Treatment - Todd Harrison/Luau Presentation - June 16th, 2011 [June 16th, 2011]
- Dr. William Rader - Muscular Dystrophy Breakthrough - June 16th, 2011 [June 16th, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy patient at Xcell-center - Nabeel Mohamed Abdulhusain, 46 years - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- Charlie's Story: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Part 4 - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy VECTTOR Treatment - David Gould/Luau Presentation - July 19th, 2011 [July 19th, 2011]
- Testimonial 4 of Muscular Dystrophy after Stem Cell Therapy - August 5th, 2011 [August 5th, 2011]
- Drug Combo Dynamic in Muscular Dystrophy - August 9th, 2011 [August 9th, 2011]
- Testimonial for Fetal Stem Cell Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - August 25th, 2011 [August 25th, 2011]
- Improvement seen in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy after Stem Cell Therapy - September 11th, 2011 [September 11th, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy STS/VECTTOR treatment results - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy VECTTOR Treatment Documentary - Todd's One Year Journey - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy Treatment Day 18 - Todd Harrison's Improvement - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Wang Yisheng - Muscular Dystrophy Adult Stem Cell Patient - October 9th, 2011 [October 9th, 2011]
- Becker Muscular Dystrophy Miracle TREATMENT - October 11th, 2011 [October 11th, 2011]
- Muscular dystrophy patient_Kleber_Brazil.wmv - October 12th, 2011 [October 12th, 2011]
- Testimonial 1 of Muscular Dystrophy after Stem Cell Therapy - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Becker Muscular Dystrophy STS Treatment - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Potential Stem Cell treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - Video - October 21st, 2011 [October 21st, 2011]
- Muscular Dystrophy treated by Dr Rajesh Shah at Life Force - Video - October 22nd, 2011 [October 22nd, 2011]
- Defying Muscular Dystrophy - I Made It - Video - October 23rd, 2011 [October 23rd, 2011]
- Becker Muscular Dystrophy AMAZING treatment results - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- First targeted treatment success for Duchenne muscular dystrophy - Video - November 6th, 2011 [November 6th, 2011]
- 125 Days of VECTTOR Treatment Progress - November 18th, 2011 [November 18th, 2011]
- Becker Muscular Dystrophy WALKING ABILITY IMPROVED - Video - November 25th, 2011 [November 25th, 2011]
- PT Muscular Dystrophy Treatment Results - Video - December 5th, 2011 [December 5th, 2011]
- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Treated by Cellmedicine - Video - January 8th, 2012 [January 8th, 2012]
- muscular DYSTROPHY treatment IN HOMEOPATH.mp4 - Video - January 28th, 2012 [January 28th, 2012]
- Giulio's strategy is to cure dystrophy with stem cell treatment - Video - January 31st, 2012 [January 31st, 2012]
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy is a Featured Nonprofit Selected by Webkinz(TM) Foundation - February 1st, 2012 [February 1st, 2012]
- MDA Awards More Than $12 Million in Grants to Advance Neuromuscular Disease Research - February 1st, 2012 [February 1st, 2012]
- "For treatment we will have in the future" - Video - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- Renowned Pediatric Cardiology Physician-Scientist Linda Cripe Joins Nationwide Children's Hospital - February 3rd, 2012 [February 3rd, 2012]
- JumpStart Invests $250,000 in Milo Biotechnology - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- When nerve meets muscle, biglycan seals the deal - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Medical clinics offer help for Big Island children - February 16th, 2012 [February 16th, 2012]
- Dateline Long Beach: The Aquatic Center brings swim therapy to disabled - February 19th, 2012 [February 19th, 2012]
- Cure Duchenne Announces Three New Funded Research Projects to Help Develop Treatments and Find a Cure for Duchenne ... - February 21st, 2012 [February 21st, 2012]
- Ligand Licenses DARA Program to Retrophin - February 21st, 2012 [February 21st, 2012]
- AVI BioPharma Regains NASDAQ Compliance - February 23rd, 2012 [February 23rd, 2012]
- Scientists create potent molecules aimed at treating muscular dystrophy - February 23rd, 2012 [February 23rd, 2012]
- AVI BioPharma Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Financial Results and Corporate Update Conference Call - February 23rd, 2012 [February 23rd, 2012]
- Pembroke's Christine McSherry is an 'Inspirational Woman' - February 25th, 2012 [February 25th, 2012]
- The Rare Clinical Diseases Research Network - February 25th, 2012 [February 25th, 2012]
- A Solution for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy? - Research Summary - February 28th, 2012 [February 28th, 2012]
- A Solution for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy? -- In Depth Doctor's Interview - February 28th, 2012 [February 28th, 2012]
- Antisense oligonucleotides make sense in myotonic dystrophy - February 28th, 2012 [February 28th, 2012]
- A life of dependence - February 29th, 2012 [February 29th, 2012]
- Nationwide Children's Hospital neuromuscular disorder podcasts now available on iTunes - March 2nd, 2012 [March 2nd, 2012]
- Next-generation DNA sequencing to improve diagnosis for muscular dystrophy - March 6th, 2012 [March 6th, 2012]
- The Dire Limits of Health Care - March 7th, 2012 [March 7th, 2012]
- AVI BioPharma Announces Late-Breaker Oral Presentation of Phase IIb DMD Study at 2012 AAN Annual Meeting in April - March 12th, 2012 [March 12th, 2012]
- Cataracts affect millions of people around the globe, and for many of us they will be a normal part of our aging ... - March 14th, 2012 [March 14th, 2012]
- Your Health: Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy - March 16th, 2012 [March 16th, 2012]
- Newborn Screening for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Shows Promise as an International Model - March 20th, 2012 [March 20th, 2012]
- Newborn screening for DMD shows promise as an international model - March 20th, 2012 [March 20th, 2012]
- Rhenovia launches drug discovery for Huntington's disease - March 20th, 2012 [March 20th, 2012]
- Halo Therapeutics Reports Favorable Independent Review of Lead Drug Candidate HT-100 - March 21st, 2012 [March 21st, 2012]
- Invasive treatment strategy may increase survival for patients with certain neuromuscular disorder - March 28th, 2012 [March 28th, 2012]
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Endorses FAST Act Legislation to Expedite FDA Review of Life-Saving Therapies - March 29th, 2012 [March 29th, 2012]
- AVI BioPharma Announces Conference Call and Webcast on Monday, April 2, 2012, to Discuss Top-Line Data Results From ... - March 31st, 2012 [March 31st, 2012]
- Drug for rare disease may lift AVI BioPharma shares: Barron's - April 2nd, 2012 [April 2nd, 2012]
- AVI BioPharma Announces Eteplirsen Meets Primary Endpoint, Demonstrating a Significant Increase in Dystrophin at 24 ... - April 2nd, 2012 [April 2nd, 2012]
- U.S. Stock Futures Little Changed Before Factory Report - April 2nd, 2012 [April 2nd, 2012]
- Leading experts on congenital muscular dystrophy convene at University of Nevada, Reno - April 20th, 2012 [April 20th, 2012]
- Nature Publishes Work Utilizing N-Gene's Core Technology to Advance the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - April 20th, 2012 [April 20th, 2012]
- Getting the boots filled - April 29th, 2012 [April 29th, 2012]
- Local business, civic leaders 'arrested' for MDA fundraiser - May 3rd, 2012 [May 3rd, 2012]
- New muscular dystrophy treatment approach developed using human stem cells - May 6th, 2012 [May 6th, 2012]