Medtronic and Neurocrine Biosciences to Collaborate on Therapy to Treat
Malignant Brain Tumors Drug and Delivery System May Offer Solution to
Deadly Cancer
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ via NewsEdge Corporation -- Medtronic,
Inc. (NYSE: MDT) and Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBIX) announced
today that they have entered a collaborative agreement to clinically
evaluate a drug and delivery system for treating malignant brain tumors.
Each year, nearly 15,000 people are diagnosed with malignant brain tumors
in the United States. There are currently no effective treatments for this
form of cancer, which represents the third highest cancer death rate among
people between the ages of 15 and 34.
The drug, IL4-Pseudomonas Exotoxin Fusion Protein (IL4-PE), is a
combination of a blood-cell-derived growth factor and a potent substance
that may destroy cancer cells. The IL-4 portion of the compound binds to
the IL-4 receptors on the surface of cancer cells, thereby delivering the
toxin directly into the cell.
In pre-clinical animal trials, the Food and Drug Administration and the
National Institutes of Health research team found that various dose levels
of IL-4 resulted in complete tumor remission after direct injection into
the tumor. The drug was well tolerated, with no apparent signs of toxicity
or death.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will collaborate to
clinically evaluate the drug for direct delivery to the brain using
Medtronic's SynchroMed(R) Infusion System. This system consists of a
programmable, implantable drug pump and catheter that delivers medication
directly to the site where the drug can be most effective. Current plans
are for joint clinical studies to begin in the later half of 1999.
"This collaboration illustrates Medtronic's continued commitment to
treating unmet medical needs in the areas of neurodegenerative disorders
and pain," said John A. Meslow, president of Medtronic's Neurological
business. "As the leader in drug delivery systems, Medtronic is uniquely
positioned to partner with biotechnology companies like Neurocrine
Biosciences to develop innovative solutions that deliver drugs directly to
targeted sites in the central nervous system."
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, is a
biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics to treat
diseases of the central nervous system and immune system, including
anxiety, depression, stroke, multiple sclerosis and glioblastoma.
Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading
medical technology company specializing in implantable and interventional
therapies. Its Internet address is www.medtronic.com
This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. A full discussion of the companies' operations and
financial condition, including factors that may affect the companies'
business and future prospects, is contained in documents the companies file
with the SEC, such as form 10-Q and 10-K reports. These documents identify
important factors that could cause the two companies' actual performance to
differ from current expectations.
SynchroMed is a registered trademark of Medtronic, Inc.
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