Incara Begins Transition to Clinical Development Phase of Lead Molecule For ALS and Ushers in New Board of Directors to Manage T
30 Avril 2004 - 6:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Incara Begins Transition to Clinical Development Phase of Lead
Molecule For ALS and Ushers in New Board of Directors to Manage
Transition NEW YORK, April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Goodnow
Capital, L.L.C., a majority shareholder in Incara Pharmaceuticals
Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: INCR.OB; "Incara"), announced
today that is has elected a new board of directors of Incara. David
C. Cavalier, President of Goodnow, will serve as the chairman of
the board. Richard P. Burgoon, Jr. and Alan J. Tuchman, MD, who,
together with Mr. Cavalier, are members of Xmark Asset Management,
LLC which is the manager of Goodnow and the Xmark Funds, will also
join the Incara board. "Incara has made substantial pre-clinical
progress in the development of its lead compound, AEOL-10150, for
the potential treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),
commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease" Cavalier said. "It is
time to position the company for future clinical development. Over
the coming months, we expect to bring on additional Board members
whose expertise and experience will support Incara's clinical focus
for AEOL-10150. In addition, we will evaluate strategic initiatives
to augment the current value of Incara's technology. The new board
will consider the possible acquisition or licensing of novel
products in pre-clinical and clinical development." Mr. Cavalier
further stated that, "We appreciate the time, energy and service of
the prior members of the Incara board of directors as they helped
to shepherd Incara to this point." The changes to the board are
effective immediately. ALS, the most common motor neuron disease,
results from progressive degeneration of both upper and lower motor
neurons and is usually fatal within 5 years. Incara is in final
preparation stages of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application
to be filed with the FDA for treatment of ALS. An IND is the first
stage necessary to begin human clinical studies of compounds such
as AEOL-10150. The first human clinical evaluation of AEOL-10150,
referred to as a Phase 1 clinical study, would be expected to begin
within 30-60 days after the IND is submitted to the FDA by Incara.
If the results of Phase 1 clinical trials are satisfactory,
Incara's clinical plan calls for initiating a Phase 2/3 clinical
trial of AEOL-10150 for treatment of ALS as early as the first half
of 2005. Incara Pharmaceuticals Corporation is developing a new
class of small molecule catalytic antioxidants that destroy
oxygen-derived free radicals, believed to be an important
contributor to the pathogenesis of many diseases. Incara's
catalytic antioxidants have been shown to reduce damage to tissue
in animal studies of neurological disorders such as ALS and stroke,
and in other non-neurological indications such as cancer radiation
therapy, chronic bronchitis and asthma. The statements in this
press release that are not purely statements of historical fact are
forward-looking statements, and actual results might differ
materially from those anticipated. These statements and other
statements made elsewhere by Incara or its representatives, which
are identified or qualified by words such as "intends," "likely,"
"will," "suggests," "expects," "might," "may," "believe," "could,"
"should," "would," "anticipates," "plans," or the negative of those
terms or similar expressions, are based on a number of assumptions
that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Important factors that
could cause results to differ include risks associated with the
uncertainties of scientific research, clinical trials and product
development activities and the need to obtain funds for clinical
trials and operations. These and other important risks are
described in Incara's reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K
and its registration statements filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date hereof. Incara assumes no obligation to update the
information in this release. DATASOURCE: Incara Pharmaceuticals
Corporation CONTACT: David C. Cavalier, Chairman of the Board,
+1-212-247-8200
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