Bionovo's Estrogen Receptor Beta Selective Drugs Have Unique Gene Expression and Cell Type S...( ...),Health

EMERYVILLE, Calif., July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bionovo, Inc. (Nasdaq: BNVI) announced today that a study of the gene regulation in multiple cell lines by several of their estrogen receptor beta (ERb) candidates will be published in Public Library of Science One.

"In this study we show that plant-derived ERb compounds are as selective as synthetic compounds, but regulate different genes. Specifically, we have discovered that these compounds do not promote breast or endometrial cancer in animal models, unlike many estrogen therapies. This suggests that these plant-derived ERb-selective compounds could lead to safer, more attractive alternative therapies for menopausal symptoms," said Dr. Dale Leitman, the Principal Investigator of the study.

The publication describes the analyses of three distinct classes of ERb selective drugs. The study determines the relative ER selectivity and pattern of gene expression of the three classes of ERb selective compounds compared to the natural hormone estradiol, which non-selectively regulates both ERa and ERb . The most significant finding in the study was that the ERb-selective compounds regulate a number of genes differently than estradiol, a hormone therapy commonly used to treat women's health issues. This discovery indicates that ERb agonists might be safer than current estrogens used in hormone therapy. The study also demonstrates the cell type selectivity of Menerba (MF101) and Liquiritigenin, two of Bionovo's ERb selective drugs, in different cell types. These compelling findings will serve as a strong impetus for Bionovo, Inc. to continue investigating the unique abilities of their drugs to safely and effectively treat menopausal symptoms.

"It is essential that new drug candidates demonstrate drug selectivity
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