Ardea Biosciences Presents Data Demonstrating Favorable Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy for Mitogen-Activated ERK Kinase (MEK) ...( - Lead MEK inhibitor RDEA119 demonst...),Health

- Lead MEK inhibitor, RDEA119, demonstrates potential for once daily oral

dosing in preliminary Phase 1 results - - Next generation MEK inhibitor, RDEA436, to enter Phase 1 trials second

half of 2008 -

SAN DIEGO, April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ardea Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RDEA) today announced that data was presented demonstrating the potent activity and favorable pharmacokinetic profile of the Company's mitogen-activated ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor family of compounds in the treatment of cancerous tumors.

The data were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in San Diego.

The data showed that RDEA119 and RDEA436 are potent inhibitors of MEK1/2, an important step in cell cycle regulation. Both compounds suppress tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo, have significant anti-inflammatory activity, and have limited potential for central nervous system (CNS) toxicity, a problem for other members of this class. RDEA119 is currently in Phase 1 clinical studies in advanced cancer patients and healthy volunteers for assessment of its ability to inhibit inflammatory cytokines. Preliminary Phase 1 data have demonstrated that RDEA119 has a long half-life and favorable pharmacokinetic properties, allowing for once daily oral dosing. In addition, the doses being evaluated in the Phase 1 study have achieved systemic exposure consistent with active doses in animal models of human tumors, without drug-related toxicity. Data from a human micro-dose trial, produced by Vitalea Science, Inc. using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) technology, demonstrated that RDEA436 also has a long half-life and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. '/>"/>