Progen Presents Data For Anti-Tumour Compounds

Progen Presents Preclinical Data for Second-Generation Anti-Tumour Compounds at AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference

Brisbane, Australia.  October 24 2007: Progen Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX:PGL; NASDAQ:PGLA) today announced preclinical study results evaluating the anti-angiogenic and anti-tumour activity of the Company’s new family of heparan sulfate mimetic compounds, known as the PG500 series. 

Dr. Keith Dredge, Progen’s Preclinical Development Manager, is presenting the data in a poster entitled, “Heparan Sulfate Mimetics-Potent Angiogenesis Inhibitors for Cancer Therapeutics” at the 2007 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, in San Francisco1.

These studies evaluated the compounds’ ability to inhibit new blood vessel formation in several in vitro models of angiogenesis. The investigators reported that multiple PG500 compounds, decreased or prevented human endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferative responses to growth factors including fibroblast growth factors 1 and 2 (FGF-1, FGF-2) and to vascular endothelial cell growth factor  (VEGF). Blocking these interactions inhibits the angiogenesis and metastasis processes critical in tumour growth and progression.

These compounds also prevented new blood vessel formation as determined in the rat aortic assay.  In animal models of melanoma (B16F1 syngeneic mouse model) and human colorectal cancer (HT29 xenograft model), the heparan sulfate mimetic (HSM) compounds inhibited tumour progression.  Progen has recently filed a second provisional patent application to cover these newer, more potent compounds presented at this conference.

Mr. Justus Homburg, Progen’s CEO, commented: “Clinical progress with our lead clinical candidate, PI-88, validates the principle of using HSMs as potent anti-cancer drugs. As we move forward in the clinic with this drug candidate, we continue to develop novel HSMs with properties that may extend and enhance their therapeutic applications.

“The data presented today support the continued development of selected PG500 compounds and the program is on track to file an investigational new drug (IND) application by end 2008.”

Progen’s Drug Discovery Group is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in medicinal chemistry, molecular and cell biology, analytical biochemistry, and molecular modeling.  At the core of their research is an understanding of the role of carbohydrate/protein interactions that are implicated in the initiation and development of cancer. 

1Each year, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), jointly with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), brings together scientists and other professionals from around the world seeking to share the latest information in this field, otherwise known as molecular targets of cancer.

About PG500 Compounds

PG500 compounds comprise a group of proprietary small molecule HSMs.  Heparan sulfate proteoglycans play important roles in the normal physiology of cells, functioning to bind growth factors, extracellular matrix molecules and enzymes to specific sites on their sugar chains.  HSMs act by blocking these interactions, thereby inhibiting processes such as angiogenesis and metastasis critical to tumour development and progression.

About Progen:  Progen Pharmaceuticals Limited is an Australia-based globally focused biotechnology company committed to the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics primarily for the treatment of cancer.

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