Antipodean Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. announced 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
antipodeanpharma
Antipodean Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
antipodeanpharma