PALO ALTO, Calif., July 8 CA-Telik-Diabetes
PALO ALTO, Calif., July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Telik, Inc.
(Nasdaq: TELK), today announced the publication of research in Bioorganic &
Medicinal Chemistry Letters describing a novel class of small molecule
compounds that could potentially lead to a new treatment for diabetes. These
unique compounds are the result of an extensive medicinal chemistry effort at
Telik to optimize the original lead structure identified through the
application of Telik's TRAP(R) technology.
The compounds developed activate the insulin receptor and may have the
potential to be an orally administered treatment for diabetes. Such small
molecules have been actively sought after since the discovery of insulin in
the 1920s by Banting and Best, and could represent a completely different
approach to the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Telik's publication,
Robinson, L. et al., "5-Substituted isophthalamides as insulin receptor
sensitizers," Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 18: 3492 (2008), describes a series of
compounds that are capable of activating the insulin receptor and were also
shown to increase glucose transport into adipocytes.
"Telik's drug development focus does not include diabetes and other
metabolic diseases," said Marc Steuer, Senior Vice President, Business
Development. "It is our intention, therefore, to seek a licensee with the
requisite development skills and expertise in this therapeutic area."
About Telik
Telik, Inc. of Palo Alto, CA, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
discovering, developing and commercializing novel small molecule drugs to
treat serious diseases. The company's most advanced investigational drug
candidates in clinical development are TELINTRA(R), a modified glutathione
analog for the treatment of cytopenias due to myelodysplastic syndrome or
chemotherapy, and TELCYTA(R), a tumor-activated prodrug for the treatment of
advanced ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Telik's product
candidates were discovered using its proprietary drug discovery technology,
TRAP, which enables the rapid and efficient discovery of small molecule drug
candidates. Additional information is available at http://www.telik.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including
statements regarding the potential capabilities and qualities of the small
molecules described above. These forward-looking statements are based upon
Telik's current expectations. There are important factors that could cause
Telik's results to differ materially from those indicated by these
forward-looking statements. Detailed information regarding factors that may
cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or
implied by statements in this press release may be found in Telik's periodic
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors
described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in its quarterly report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Telik does not undertake any
obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press
release.
TELIK, the Telik logo, TELINTRA, TELCYTA, and TRAP are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Telik, Inc.
SOURCE Telik, Inc.
