VANCOUVER, Aug. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - iCo
Therapeutics Inc. ("iCo" or "the Company") (TSX-V: ICO) (OTCQX:
ICOTF), today reported results of its Oral Amphotericin B (Oral Amp
B) drug candidate targeting latent HIV reservoirs. The study,
conducted by ImmuneCarta®, the immune monitoring business unit of
Caprion, evaluated in vitro effectiveness of Oral Amp B in
reactivating latent HIV viral reservoirs which remain present in
individuals despite intensive treatment with antiretroviral
therapy.
Memory cells, or white blood cells, from eight HIV-infected
subjects with a durable viral suppression using antiretroviral
therapy (HAART) were obtained and exposed in vitro to
various concentrations of Oral Amp B. Samples from one
patient were determined not to be susceptible to
reactivation. In the remaining subjects, Oral Amp B
demonstrated a reactivation response of HIV viral production in six
out of seven in vitro cultures with detectable HIV
reservoir. Some HIV reservoirs are not possible to reactivate
and this may explain why one culture did not show reactivation
response.
"There are a number of HIV latent reservoirs that are not
inducible and our partners at ImmuneCarta were pleasantly surprised
that six of the seven samples had inducible latent reservoirs in
our study," said Dr. Peter Hnik,
Chief Medical Officer of iCo Therapeutics. "By turning on
expression of latent HIV proviruses, reactivation strategies such
as Oral Amp B, could contribute to a reduction of HIV
infection. Given these promising results, we are now
evaluating the next steps in the developmental path for Oral Amp
B."
About iCo Therapeutics
iCo Therapeutics in-licenses
and redefines existing drug candidates or generics by employing
reformulation and delivery technologies for new or expanded use
indications. The Company has exclusive worldwide rights to two drug
candidates - iCo-007 for Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and iCo-008
for other sight-threatening diseases. iCo-007 is in Phase 2
clinical studies for DME. With Phase 2 clinical history, iCo-008 is
targeted for the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis and wet
age-related macular degeneration. In addition, iCo holds worldwide
rights to an oral drug delivery platform. The first platform
candidate is the Oral Amp B Delivery system, utilizing a known
anti-fungal drug to treat life-threatening infectious diseases. iCo
trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ICO" and the
OTCQX under the symbol "ICOTF". For more information, visit the
Company website at: www.icotherapeutics.com.
No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the
content of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor
its Regulatory Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements
included in this press release may be considered forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as:
"anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe,"
"project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely,"
"may," "should," "will," and similar references to future periods
and includes, but is not limited to, statements about the intended
use of proceeds of the Offering. Such statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results, performance or achievements to be materially
different from those implied by such statements, and therefore
these statements should not be read as guarantees of future
performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on
iCo's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and
information currently available to iCo and relate to, among other
things, anticipated financial performance, business prospects,
strategies, regulatory developments, market acceptance and future
commitments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which are based only on
information currently available to iCo and speak only as of the
date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties,
including the risks and uncertainties identified by iCo in its
public securities filings and on its website, actual events may
differ materially from current expectations. iCo disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as required by law.
SOURCE iCo Therapeutics Inc.