Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. : Cobiprostone Preclinical Data from NSAID-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury Models Reported at Digestive Disease Week 2012
05/20/2012| 11:10am US/Eastern
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Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCMP) today announced the
presentation of preclinical data at Digestive Disease Week 2012, in San
Diego, which demonstrates the protective effect of cobiprostone (also
known as SPI-8811) against epithelial barrier dysfunction in models of
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastric mucosal
injury.
The poster entitled, "The Protective Effect of ClC-2 Agonist SPI-8811 on
Indomethacin-induced Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction in Human Gastric
Epithelial Cells," was authored by Meghali Nighot and Anthony
Blikslager, of NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and
Ryuji Ueno, of Sucampo.
In the study presented, treatment with the NSAID indomethacin resulted
in increased permeability due to dysregulation of occludin
co-localization. The results of this in vitro study show that
cobiprostone, via ClC-2 activation, can counter act such adverse effects
of NSAID on tight junction proteins. Additionally, cobiprostone was
shown to prevent indomethacin-induced cell death.
"NSAIDs are commonly prescribed drugs for pain, fever and inflammation,
but are not ideal for long-term use because of the risk of ulcer
formation," said Anthony Blikslager, DVM, Ph.D., DACVS, NC State
University, College of Veterinary Medicine. "In this study, we
demonstrated that cobiprostone exerts a protective effect against
epithelial barrier dysfunction in the presence of an NSAID in human
gastric epithelial cells. Based on these data, we believe that
cobiprostone could serve as a treatment option in patients taking
NSAIDs."
About cobiprostone
Cobiprostone is an investigational prostone compound under development
by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. as a potential treatment for
gastrointestinal, liver and respiratory diseases. Sucampo holds
worldwide, exclusive rights to cobiprostone.
About Sucampo Pharmaceuticals
Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an international pharmaceutical company
is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of
proprietary drugs based on prostones. The therapeutic potential of
prostones, which occur naturally in the human body as a result of
enzymatic (15-PGDH) transformation of certain fatty acids, was first
identified by Ryuji Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., Ph.D., Sucampo Pharmaceuticals'
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Ueno founded Sucampo
Pharmaceuticals in 1996 with Sachiko Kuno, Ph.D., founding Chief
Executive Officer and currently Advisor, International Business
Development, and a member of the Board of Directors. For more
information, please visit www.sucampo.com.
Sucampo Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements are based on management's current expectations and involve
risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially
from those set forth in the statements. The forward-looking statements
may include statements regarding product development, product potential,
future financial and operating results, and other statements that are
not historical facts. The following factors, among others, could cause
actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking
statements: the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health
care legislation; Sucampo's ability to accurately predict future market
conditions; dependence on the effectiveness of Sucampo's patents and
other protections for innovative products; the risk of new and changing
regulation and health policies in the US and internationally and the
exposure to litigation and/or regulatory actions.
No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may
differ materially from those projected. Sucampo undertakes no obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of
new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements
in this presentation should be evaluated together with the many
uncertainties that affect Sucampo's business, particularly those
mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary statements in Sucampo's
Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, which the Company
incorporates by reference.
Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kate de Santis, 1-240-223-3834
kdesantis@sucampo.com
© Business Wire 2012
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