GAITHERSBURG, Md.- GlycoMimetics Inc. announced today that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued a composition of matter patent (No. 9,109,002), entitled "E-Selectin Antagonist Compounds, Compositions and Methods of Use," which provides coverage for the chemical structure of GlycoMimetics' clinical product candidate GMI-1271. Based upon data from preclinical studies, GMI-1271, which is a novel and proprietary E-selectin antagonist, has the potential to synergize with chemotherapy to improve cancer cell killing. It may also address both metastasis (cancer's spread) and complications of chemotherapy including neutropenia and mucositis. Applications are pending for patents outside of the United States.
"This patent issuance represents an important step for GlycoMimetics and our clinical product candidate, GMI-1271, as it provides key intellectual property protection," saidRachel King, Chief Executive Officer, GlycoMimetics. "We are initially exploring the clinical use of GMI-1271 in hematologic malignancies following the successful completion of a Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers late last year."
GlycoMimetics began dosing patients in May 2015 in a Phase 1/2, open-label multicenter study designed to determine safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of GMI-1271 in combination with chemotherapy in male and female adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Data from preclinical studies describing the activity of GMI-1271 were selected for oral presentations at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in both 2013 and 2014.
GlycoMimetics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel glycomimetic drugs to address unmet medical needs resulting from diseases in which carbohydrate biology plays a key role. GlycoMimetics entered into an exclusive license agreement with Pfizer for rivipansel in October 2011. Under the license agreement, Pfizer is responsible for the clinical development, regulatory approval and potential commercialization of rivipansel.
GlycoMimetics's wholly-owned drug candidate (GMI-1271) for AML and other blood disorders is also in clinical trials. Glycomimetics are molecules that mimic the structure of carbohydrates involved in important biological processes. Using its expertise in carbohydrate chemistry and knowledge of carbohydrate biology, GlycoMimetics is developing a pipeline of glycomimetic drug candidates that inhibit disease-related functions of carbohydrates, such as the roles they play in inflammation, cancer and infection. Learn more at www.glycomimetics.com.