antiquity
12-06-2001, 10:07 AM
Cypress Files IND to Begin Clinical Testing of Drug Candidate For Treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome
SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 6, 2001--Cypress Bioscience Inc. (Nasdaq:CYPB) today announced that it recently filed an investigational new drug application (IND) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase II clinical trial of milnacipran, its drug candidate for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a chronic pain disorder.
Pending normal FDA review, the company will commence clinical studies in the first half of 2002.
"The filing of an IND for milnacipran represents a significant achievement for Cypress in the development of therapies for the treatment for FMS," said Jay D. Kranzler, M.D., Ph.D., chairman and CEO of Cypress. "Milnacipran is a dual action drug that is distinguished in its ability to affect serotonin and norepinephrine -- two neurotransmitters involved in modulating pain within the human body. As increasing evidence suggests that modulation of more than one transmitter is likely to be required for better efficacy in addressing the pain associated with FMS, we believe that milnacipran could significantly improve the treatment of this condition."
FMS is a chronic and debilitating condition characterized by widespread pain and stiffness throughout the body, accompanied by severe fatigue and headache. It affects an estimated 2-4 percent of the population worldwide and is the second most common diagnosis by rheumatologists in the U.S. after osteoarthritis. Despite the high prevalence and severity of this syndrome, today there are no approved treatments for FMS.
"Currently, only about half of FMS patients are prescribed drugs for pain management, since most available treatments have proven largely ineffective," said Dr. Daniel Clauw, chief of the Division of Rheumatology, the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at Georgetown. "There have been few clinical trials performed for FMS -- which is why Cypress' efforts with milnacipran are so important."
In August of this year Cypress licensed the North American rights to develop and market milnacipran for the treatment of FMS and related chronic pain syndromes. The license from Pierre Fabre Medicament (Pierre Fabre), the pharmaceutical division of bioMerieux Pierre Fabre of Paris, France also gives Cypress an option to expand the terms to include other indications.
About Cypress Bioscience Inc.
Cypress is committed to be the innovator and commercial leader in providing products that improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with FMS. In January 2001, the company began a strategic initiative focusing on FMS. For more information about Cypress, please visit the company's Web site at www.cypressbio.com (http://www.cypressbio.com).
This press release, as well as Cypress' SEC filings and Web site at http://www.cypressbio.com, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could vary materially from those described as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth in Cypress Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent SEC filings. In addition, there is the risk that Cypress may not be able to successfully develop or market any products for the treatment of FMS under the Pierre Fabre agreement or at all; that the clinical development plan or timeline for milnacipran may not shortened; that we may not be able to obtain appropriate regulatory approvals to begin Phase II clinical trials of milnacipran in the first half of 2002; that milnacipran may not significantly improve the treatment of FMS, that Cypress will not be successful in identifying or developing products under the Georgetown agreement; that Fresenius may not be able to successfully market the PROSORBA column; that the sales of the PROSORBA column may decrease; and that Cypress may not receive any future royalties under its revised agreement with Fresenius. Cypress undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as required by law.
SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 6, 2001--Cypress Bioscience Inc. (Nasdaq:CYPB) today announced that it recently filed an investigational new drug application (IND) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase II clinical trial of milnacipran, its drug candidate for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a chronic pain disorder.
Pending normal FDA review, the company will commence clinical studies in the first half of 2002.
"The filing of an IND for milnacipran represents a significant achievement for Cypress in the development of therapies for the treatment for FMS," said Jay D. Kranzler, M.D., Ph.D., chairman and CEO of Cypress. "Milnacipran is a dual action drug that is distinguished in its ability to affect serotonin and norepinephrine -- two neurotransmitters involved in modulating pain within the human body. As increasing evidence suggests that modulation of more than one transmitter is likely to be required for better efficacy in addressing the pain associated with FMS, we believe that milnacipran could significantly improve the treatment of this condition."
FMS is a chronic and debilitating condition characterized by widespread pain and stiffness throughout the body, accompanied by severe fatigue and headache. It affects an estimated 2-4 percent of the population worldwide and is the second most common diagnosis by rheumatologists in the U.S. after osteoarthritis. Despite the high prevalence and severity of this syndrome, today there are no approved treatments for FMS.
"Currently, only about half of FMS patients are prescribed drugs for pain management, since most available treatments have proven largely ineffective," said Dr. Daniel Clauw, chief of the Division of Rheumatology, the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at Georgetown. "There have been few clinical trials performed for FMS -- which is why Cypress' efforts with milnacipran are so important."
In August of this year Cypress licensed the North American rights to develop and market milnacipran for the treatment of FMS and related chronic pain syndromes. The license from Pierre Fabre Medicament (Pierre Fabre), the pharmaceutical division of bioMerieux Pierre Fabre of Paris, France also gives Cypress an option to expand the terms to include other indications.
About Cypress Bioscience Inc.
Cypress is committed to be the innovator and commercial leader in providing products that improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with FMS. In January 2001, the company began a strategic initiative focusing on FMS. For more information about Cypress, please visit the company's Web site at www.cypressbio.com (http://www.cypressbio.com).
This press release, as well as Cypress' SEC filings and Web site at http://www.cypressbio.com, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could vary materially from those described as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth in Cypress Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent SEC filings. In addition, there is the risk that Cypress may not be able to successfully develop or market any products for the treatment of FMS under the Pierre Fabre agreement or at all; that the clinical development plan or timeline for milnacipran may not shortened; that we may not be able to obtain appropriate regulatory approvals to begin Phase II clinical trials of milnacipran in the first half of 2002; that milnacipran may not significantly improve the treatment of FMS, that Cypress will not be successful in identifying or developing products under the Georgetown agreement; that Fresenius may not be able to successfully market the PROSORBA column; that the sales of the PROSORBA column may decrease; and that Cypress may not receive any future royalties under its revised agreement with Fresenius. Cypress undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as required by law.