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PolyMedix, Inc.’s (PYMX) Lead Antibiotic Compound Demonstrates Positive Results against Cancer Treatment Complications

May 20, 2011 12:00 PM ETIPIX
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PolyMedix Inc., a biotech company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat patients with acute infectious diseases and cardiovascular disorders, today announced that its lead antibiotic compound PMX-30063 has shown activity against oral mucositis, which is debilitating inflammation and ulceration in the mouth associated with complications of cancer treatment.

The results were demonstrated when PMX-30063 was orally administered in an animal study.

Stephen T. Sonis, DMD, DMSc, is chief medical officer at Biomodes, the facility where the studies were performed. Sonis said the results were “exciting” and emphasized the importance of PMX-30063’s performance in the study.

“Radiation and chemotherapy are life-saving treatments for cancer patients, but the development of extensive painful lesions in the mouth, tongue and throat renders many patients unable to eat, speak or tolerate therapy. The results seen with PMX-30063 are extremely promising and support further testing as a new therapeutic agent to address this substantial unmet medical need,” Sonis stated in the press release.

Nicholas Landekic, president and CEO of Polymedix, noted the importance of treatment options for afflictions caused by cancer treatment, and detailed the lengthy costs associated with mucositis.

“There is a major need for effective treatment options for the hundreds of thousands of patients per year who develop ulcerative lesions as a result of their cancer treatment,” Landekic stated. “A recent study from Northwestern University quantified the cost of additional resource use attributable to the management of patients with mucositis at over $17,000 as well as lengthening hospital stays, making this an expensive and serious medical problem. Having the ability to potentially administer PMX-30063 topically may also provide advantages over systemic approaches.”

Polymedix conducted studies of PMX-30063 along with other PolyMedix defensin-mimetic antibiotic compounds in animal models of radiation-induced oral mucositis. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in ulcerations when administered three times a day for 20 days. No adverse events were reported.

PMX-30063 is currently in a phase II clinical trial to treat patients with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by Staph bacteria.

For more information visit polymedix.com

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