GLEN ALLEN, Va., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Star Scientific, Inc.
(NASDAQ: CIGX) through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rock Creek
Pharmaceuticals Inc., announces that it has received important new
research findings from its research partner, The Roskamp Institute
of Sarasota, Florida. The
Institute has completed a successful animal study of nutritional
supplementation with Rock Creek's specially formulated anatabine
(patent pending), in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. The
Roskamp Institute has previously reported on a successful study in
a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease using nutritional
supplementation with a specially formulated version of Anatabloc®
(patent pending).
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In this report, entitled "Preliminary results of the
treatment of a mouse model of Multiple Sclerosis with
anatabine," the researchers at Roskamp describe how they
assessed the effects of nutritional supplementation of the animal's
diet with an animal formulation of anatabine in EAE (experimental
autoimmune encephalomyelitis). This condition is induced by
vaccinating mice with myelin which induces an autoimmune reaction.
As a consequence, there is a severe inflammatory process in the
brain, which has the effect of destroying neurons and causing
progressive paralysis. In this regard, the disease model looks very
similar to that which occurs in human multiple sclerosis. Dietary
supplementation with anatabine resulted in a dramatic reduction in
the rate of paralysis of hind limbs [see figure 1].
In addition to the better motor performance of the mice, there
was evidence of suppression of the normal inflammatory response
that accompanies neuronal destruction in this model. In the
affected animals that did not receive supplementation with an
anatabine formulation, the spleen pro-inflammatory molecules, such
as IFN-gamma, IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha (which are all significantly
raised by the induction of inflammation), were markedly elevated
relative to control animals. In the mice that received the
anatabine supplement, these inflammatory molecules were all reduced
to normal levels [see figure 2]. These preliminary data all suggest
the company's specially formulated anatabine supplement has a
highly beneficial effect in this model of MS.
The report is available on the Roskamp Institute website at
http://www.rfdn.org/ms_anatabine.html.
"These are encouraging results that show biological activity in
a relevant animal model," said Dr. Curtis
Wright, Senior Vice President and Medical Director of Rock
Creek Pharmaceuticals. "Roskamp has shown that supplementing the
diet of the test mice with an animal version of our specially
formulated human anatabine product interfered with the myelin
injections triggering the autoimmunity and inflammation that cause
the paralysis. Not only did they show a reduction, prevention or
delay in paralysis, but they showed a reduction in pro-inflammatory
markers as well. The placebo mice rapidly developed inflammation
and paralysis; the mice receiving anatabine dietary supplementation
were less severely affected."
Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals and the Roskamp Institute have worked
collaboratively on research relating to the company's anatabine
compound for a number of years, occasioned by the Institute's
interest in the effect of the compound on immune system support and
inflammation in the nervous system. Inflammation and the proper or
aberrant functioning of the immune system is a critical factor in a
number of neurological disorders studied by the Institute, and
using nutritional means in helping the immune system regain its
natural balance is one path toward supporting current medical
treatments for such conditions.
Paul L. Perito, Rock Creek's
Chairman and CEO stated, "We continue to be impressed by the
creative scientific insights and progress of the research team
headed by Michael Mullan MD, PhD,
along with his colleagues Drs. Crawford and Paris at the Roskamp Institute. We look
forward to the development of this encouraging hypothesis and the
initiation of human clinical trials when appropriate."
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Certain statements contained in this release constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include,
but are not limited to statements identified by words such as
"believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends,"
"plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions. The
statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of our company's management and are subject to
significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from
those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors
could cause or contribute to such differences, including, but not
limited to, results of clinical trials, the challenges inherent in
new product development initiatives, including the continued
development and market acceptance of our nutraceutical and low-TSNA
tobacco products, our ability to license and protect our
intellectual property, our ability to raise additional capital in
the future that is necessary to maintain our business, changes in
government policy and/or regulation, including with respect to our
nutraceutical and low-TSNA tobacco products, as well as other risks
discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. We undertake no duty to update
any forward-looking statement or any information contained in this
press release or in other public disclosures at any time.
About Star Scientific
Star Scientific is a technology-oriented company with a mission to
reduce the harm associated with tobacco at every level. It is
engaged in the development of dissolvable smokeless tobacco
products that deliver fewer carcinogenic toxins, principally
through the utilization of the innovative StarCured® tobacco curing
technology. Its subsidiary, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is
involved in the development of nutraceuticals as well as products
to address neurological and mood disorders. Rock Creek
Pharmaceuticals has scientific and research offices in Gloucester, MA, and a regulatory office in
Washington, DC. Star Scientific
has a Corporate and Sales Office in Glen
Allen, VA, an Executive, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs
office in Bethesda, MD, and a
manufacturing facility in Chase City,
VA.
Contact:
Talhia T. Tuck
Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations
Star Scientific, Inc.
(301) 654-8300
ttuck@starscientific.com
or
Curtis Wright, IV, MD/MPH
Medical/Clinical Director and
Sr. Vice President of Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(978) 283-1372
SOURCE Star Scientific, Inc.