Acceleron Pharma Announces Addition of Two Novel Programs to Development Pipeline at the 28th Annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference
San Francisco, Calif. - January 14, 2010 - Acceleron Pharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics that modulate the growth of cells and tissues including red blood cells, bone, muscle, fat, and the vasculature, announced that it has expanded its development pipeline to seven molecules with the advancement of two novel development candidates, which have been designated ACE-435 and ACE-661.
"We are very excited by the discovery of ACE-435, which represents an entirely different approach to treating metabolic disease," said Jas Seehra, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Acceleron Pharma. "In preclinical studies, ACE-435 affects brown fat, resulting in reduced white fat mass and improvements in numerous metabolic parameters. We are proud to be at the leading edge of innovative metabolic drug development by targeting brown fat."
ACE-435 is a novel protein therapeutic that inhibits signaling of members of the TGF-beta protein superfamily. Unlike white fat, which is associated with obesity and stores energy, brown fat is adipose tissue that burns calories to generate heat and regulate body temperature. It was previously believed to exist only in newborn humans and animals that hibernate or inhabit cold climates. However, recent studies have discovered that brown fat also exists in adult humans and is an attractive target for the treatment of various metabolic diseases. In preclinical studies, obese animals treated with ACE-435 increased brown fat, decreased white fat, increased skeletal muscle, and dramatically lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels. ACE-435 is being developed for the treatment of metabolic disease.
The second addition to Acceleron's pipeline, ACE-661, is a novel anabolic bone agent. ACE-661 inhibits members of the TGF-beta protein superfamily and blocks two established pathways involved in bone formation. ACE-661 has demonstrated profound activity in preclinical models and data will be presented at upcoming scientific conferences throughout 2010.
"Acceleron now has seven internally discovered programs in our pipeline that may offer hope to patients with severe and life-threatening illnesses," said John Knopf, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Acceleron Pharma. "We are proud of our highly productive research, development and manufacturing organizations that continue to generate such an unusually high number of novel and promising therapeutics."
About Acceleron
Acceleron is a privately held biopharmaceutical company committed to discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize novel biotherapeutics that modulate the growth of red blood cells, bone, muscle, fat and the vasculature to treat musculoskeletal, metabolic and cancer-related diseases. Acceleron's scientific approach takes advantage of its unique insight into the regenerative powers of the TGF-β superfamily of proteins. ACE-011 is currently being studied in two Phase 2 clinical trials in cancer patients, in collaboration with Celgene Corporation. ACE-031 is currently being studied in a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers and ACE-041 is being studied in a Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with advanced cancer. In addition, the company is developing several other new product candidates, including ACE-536, a novel blood-forming agent, and ALKS-693, a long-acting TNF-inhibitor that has been partnered with Alkermes, Inc. Acceleron utilizes proven biotherapeutic technologies and capitalizes on the company's internal GMP manufacturing capability to rapidly and efficiently advance its therapeutic programs. The investors in Acceleron include Advanced Technology Ventures, Alkermes, Bessemer Ventures, Celgene, Flagship Ventures, MPM BioEquities, OrbiMed Advisors, Polaris Ventures, QVT Financial, Sutter Hill Ventures and Venrock. For more information, visit www.acceleronpharma.com.
CONTACT:
Acceleron Pharma:
Steven Ertel, 617-649-9234
Vice President, Corporate Development
Mariesa Kemble (Media)
Suda Communications LLC, 608-850-4745
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