Compugen Ltd. (Nasdaq: CGEN; TASE: CGEN) reports that its novel peptide antagonist, CGEN-25017, has shown positive therapeutic effects in an animal model of retinopathy, a very serious eye condition characterized by over-growth of blood vessels. The peptide caused a dramatic decrease in the extent of the pathology.
Compugen's share rose 11.4% at the opening on Nasdaq to $2.06, and rose 13.1% on the TASE to NIS 8.17.
The company added that the animal trial provide evidence for the potential use of this novel peptide in the treatment of ocular diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and retinopathy of prematurity. The results also suggest that the peptide may be able to treat pathological angiogenesis (the pathological growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels) such as cancer and inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Retinopathy is a disease of the retina, which can result in severe vision loss or blindness. Often caused by diabetes, it affects 20 million worldwide.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 21, 2009
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