Adventrx To Develop ANX-188 For Complications Of Arterial Disease

ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals

today announced its plans to develop ANX-188 in complications of arterial disease, initially as an adjunct to thrombolytics in acute limb ischemia (ALI), a complication of peripheral arterial disease. Peripheral arterial disease affects an estimated 8 to 12 million people in the United States. Arterial disease resulting from atherosclerotic and thromboembolic processes is a common circulatory problem in which plaque-obstructed arteries reduce the flow of blood to tissues. Peripheral arterial disease refers to disease affecting arteries outside the brain and heart and often refers to blockage of arteries in the lower extremities. Ischemic cerebrovascular infarction, or stroke, results from blockage of arteries to the brain, while myocardial infarction, or heart attack, results from blockage of arteries to the heart. Thrombolytic agents, such as tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), commonly referred to as "clot busting" drugs, are used to treat acute complications of peripheral arterial disease, heart attack and stroke. R. Martin Emanuele, Senior Vice President, Development, said: "Data from experimental models demonstrate the potential for ANX-188, when used alone or in combination with thrombolytics, to improve outcomes for patients with thrombotic arterial disease, whether manifesting as acute limb ischemia, stroke or some other variant. Studies in animals and humans suggest that ANX-188 can shorten time-to-thrombolysis, improve blood flow, delay re-occlusion and reduce reperfusion injury, each of which may improve the effectiveness of existing thrombolytic agents." Santosh Vetticaden, Chief Medical Officer, said: "We plan to evaluate the potential of ANX-188 in arterial disease initially by evaluating it in acute limb ischemia. Near-term goals include seeking orphan drug designation for ANX-188 in ALI, meeting with FDA to discuss our development plan in ALI and, assuming FDA agrees with the plan, initiating a phase 2, clinical proof-of-concept study in late 2013 or early 2014. Currently, we estimate that third-party costs to conduct this study will be approximately $2 million and that it will take approximately 15 to 18 months to enroll. Ultimately, we plan to leverage the data in ALI to find a partner to develop ANX-188 in larger indications within arterial disease, such as stroke." Conference Call Information The Company will hold a conference call tomorrow, Friday, March 1, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. (ET), 5:30 a.m. (PT) to discuss its development plans in acute limb ischemia. Interested parties may access the conference call by dialing (800) 860-2442 from the U.S. and (412) 858-4600 from outside the U.S. and should request the ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals Update Call. The webcast will be available live via the Internet by accessing the Events & Presentations page of Investors section of ADVENTRX's website at http://www.adventrx.com/investors/events/. Replays of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for 30 days and a phone replay will be available through March 6, 2013 by dialing (877) 344-7529 from the U.S. and (412) 317-0088 from outside the U.S. and entering conference reference number 10025903. About ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Diego, CA. The Company is leveraging the MAST (Molecular Adhesion and Sealant Technology) platform, derived from over two decades of clinical, nonclinical and manufacturing experience with purified and non-purified poloxamers, to develop ANX-188, its lead product candidate, for serious or life-threatening diseases with significant unmet needs. ANX-188 is a cytoprotective, hemorheologic, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic agent that has potential utility in diseases or conditions characterized by microcirculatory insufficiency (endothelial dysfunction and/or impaired blood flow). The Company is recruiting subjects in EPIC, a pivotal phase 3 study of ANX-188 in sickle cell disease. The Company plans to initiate a phase 2 clinical study of ANX-188 in acute limb ischemia, a complication of peripheral arterial disease, in late 2013 or early 2014. More information can be found on the Company's web site at www.adventrx.com.