Compugen Ltd. (Nasdaq: CGEN; TASE:CGEN) today reported that its CGEN-15001 molecule in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis dramatically improves the clinical symptoms of the disease.
These results, together with previous results in an animal model of multiple sclerosis, strongly support the therapeutic potential of CGEN-15001 for multiple autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions.
The recently completed study of CGEN-15001 utilized the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) animal model. This animal model of rheumatoid arthritis shows an autoimmune disease with clinical and pathological similarity to human rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment of mice with rheumatoid arthritis, found impressive therapeutic effects of CGEN-15001.
Dr. Richard Williams from the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Imperial College London UK, a leading scientist in the field of rheumatoid arthritis who supervised the studies, said, “These preliminary results are very impressive. Furthermore, by testing CGEN-15001 in established disease we are setting the bar quite high, as not many compounds are effective in this setting. Therefore, based on the results seen to date, this molecule definitely should be further studied as a potential therapy for multiple autoimmune diseases.”
Compugen’s VP R&D Dr. Zurit Levine said, “We are extremely excited about the pronounced efficacy of CGEN-15001 in an additional autoimmune disease as it substantially broadens the therapeutic potential for this novel molecule and further validates our Protein Family Members Discovery Platform."
Compugen's share rose 3.9% on the TASE today to NIS 14.64, and closed yesterday at $3.90 yesterday, giving a market cap of $130 million.
Published by Globes, Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 14, 2010
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