VANCOUVER , Canada — iCo Therapeutics Inc. (TSX-V: ICO) is pleased to announce that an overview of iCo-007, entitled “iCo-007 a VEGF “+” Agent for the Potential Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema and Diabetic Retinopathy” will be presented at the 8th International Symposium on Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (“ISOPT”), a major international ocular conference.
A presentation will be given by Dr. Victor H. Gonzalez, ophthalmologist at the Valley Retina Institute, P.A. in McAllen, Texas. The Valley Retina Institute is one of four U.S. sites conducting iCo’s ongoing Phase 1 iCo-007 clinical trial. Dr. Victor H. Gonzalez is an American Board of Ophthalmology certified retinal specialist with expertise in adult and pediatric diseases and surgery of the eye. Dr. Gonzalez received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School . He pursued his ophthalmology training at the Doheny Eye Institute in Los Angeles , California and his retinal training from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School . He presently serves as Adjunct Clinical Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, where his research focus is on genetic studies of diabetes. A frequent lecturer and instructor, Dr. Gonzalez has been influential in offering educational retinal forums both nationally and internationally. His clinic, Valley Retina Institute, has established a comprehensive retinal fellowship program for training national and international retina specialists.
Dr. Gonzalez is also an investigator participating in the Phase I iCo-007 clinical trial. The primary endpoint of the open label, dose escalating trial is safety, with visual acuity and measures of retinal thickness serving as secondary endpoints.
ISOPT will be held from December 3rd – 6th, 2009 in Rome, Italy. The conference will feature the latest research and clinical development in a wide variety of ophthalmic diseases. Dr. Gonzalez will deliver a presentation at 3:28pm on Saturday, December 5th. For additional information please refer to: http://www.isopt2009.com/images/stories/pdf/program_26.11.09.pdf
About iCo-007
iCo-007 is expected to decrease swelling in the retina and related visual impairment by decreasing the signaling of multiple growth factors, including VEGF, IGF, bFGF, EPO and HGF that signal through the c-Raf kinase / MAP kinase pathway. iCo-007 may also be a potential treatment for certain oncology indications, as c-Raf kinase is the predominant Raf isoform responsible for regulating cellular growth in ovarian cancer. iCo-007 is an antisense drug discovered by Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISIS ) and licensed to iCo Therapeutics for the treatment of various eye diseases.
About iCo Therapeutics
iCo Therapeutics Inc. is a Vancouver-based reprofiling company focused on redosing or reformulating drugs with clinical history for new or expanded indications. iCo has exclusive worldwide rights to three products, iCo-007, in Phase I for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema, iCo-008, a product with Phase II clinical history to be developed for severe ocular allergies, and iCo-009, an oral formulation of Amphotericin B for sight and life – threatening diseases. iCo-009 also represents a new drug delivery technology with the potential to reprofile other parenteral administered drugs to the oral route of administration. iCo Therapeutics trades on the TSX-Venture exchange under the symbol “ICO”. For more information, visit the company website at: icotherapeutics.cdmail.biz
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Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release may be considered forward-looking. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on iCo Therapeutics’ current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to iCo Therapeutics and relate to, among other things, anticipated financial performance, business prospects, strategies, regulatory developments, market acceptance and future commitments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by iCo Therapeutics in its public securities filings; actual events may differ materially from current expectations. iCo Therapeutics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.