Bionovo's Drug Candidate for Menopausal Symptoms Shows Effect on Neural Pathways Related to Temperature ...( - Results Presented at Endocri...),Health

- Results Presented at Endocrine Society 90th Annual Meeting -

SAN FRANCISCO and EMERYVILLE, Calif., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bionovo Inc. (Nasdaq: BNVI) today announced results from in vitro studies in neurons of its drug candidate, MF101. The data were presented at the Endocrine Society 90th Annual Meeting. Bionovo showed that, in neurons differentiated from mouse stem cells and expressing native estrogen receptors, MF101, an estrogen receptor beta selective modulator, regulated calcium levels, which are related to temperature regulation.

"Menopausal hot flashes occur in approximately 80% of menopausal women," said Dr. Dale Leitman, from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. "It has long been known that estrogens reduce hot flashes and non-selective SERMs cause hot flashes. However, there have not been appropriate cell-based models to screen estrogens for effects on neurons. This study demonstrated that changes in calcium levels in neurons, an important biochemical pathway to temperature regulation, are mediated selectively by the activation of estrogen receptor beta. MF101 demonstrated this selective regulation."

The study was conducted by investigators at The Center for Reproductive Sciences in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco in collaboration with scientists at Bionovo.

"Although estrogens are very effective in the treatment of menopausal hot flashes, they have been associated with many serious health risks, such as breast and uterine cancer," said Isaac Cohen, Bionovo's chairman and chief executive officer. "In a Phase 2 clinical trial, M
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