SuperGen Identifies Lead PIM Kinase Inhibitor, SGI-1776, That Causes Tumor Regression in AML Xenogr...( DUBLIN Calif. April 16 /- SuperGe...),Health

DUBLIN, Calif., April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SuperGen Inc. (Nasdaq: SUPG), a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, rapid development and commercialization of therapies for solid tumors and hematological malignancies, today announced as part of a series of presentations at the 2008 AACR Annual Meeting that that it has identified a lead PIM kinase inhibitor, SGI-1776, that causes tumor regression in acute myologenous leukemia (AML) xenograft models (Abstract No. 4083).

In an oral presentation entitled, "A potent small molecule PIM kinase inhibitor with activity in cell lines from hematological and solid malignancies," Dr. Steven Warner detailed how scientists used SuperGen's CLIMB(TM) technology to build a model that allowed for the creation of small molecule PIM kinase inhibitors. SGI-1776 was identified as a potent and selective inhibitor of the PIM kinases, inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, thereby causing a reduction in phospho-BAD levels and enhancement of mTOR inhibition in vitro. Most notably, SGI-1776 induced significant tumor regression in MV-4-11 (prostate cancer) and MOLM-13 (AML) xenograft models.

"We are encouraged by these promising data. Our PIM kinase inhibitor, SGI-1776, may prove to be a treatment for AML, and other malignancies that over express PIM kinase," said Dr. James Manuso, SuperGen's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The data also provide support for the use of our CLIMB(TM) technology to identify and rapidly advance candidates into the clinic. We plan to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials with SGI-1776 in solid tumors and leukemias later this year. SGI-1776 may become the first drug in this class of inhibitors to enter the clinic."

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