TargeGen Announces Initiation Of Clinical Trial Of JAK2 Inhibitor TG101348 In Myeloproliferative Disease Patients

TargeGen, Inc. announced that
the Company has started a multi-center Phase I/II clinical trial of
TG101348, an oral, potent, and highly selective inhibitor of JAK2 in
patients with myeloproliferative diseases.


The V617F mutation of JAK2 is implicated in the pathogenesis of certain
myeloproliferative diseases, including polycythemia vera (PV), essential
thrombocytopenia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). In preclinical
models of myeloproliferative diseases, TG101348, administered orally, was
shown to reduce V617F-expressing cell populations in a dose-dependant
manner without adversely impacting normal hematopoeisis. The reduction of
V617F-expressing cell populations correlated with improved survival and
reduced morbidity. There are no currently approved specific therapies for
PV, ET and PMF. These disorders are estimated to affect approximately
200,000 patients in the United States and more than twice that total
worldwide.



The current clinical trial is being conducted at multiple centers in
the USA. The trial is expected to enroll between 40-80 patients. Primary
goals of this open label dose escalating protocol include identification of
a maximum tolerated dose (MTD), accumulation of safety data, measurement of
drug effect on surrogate markers, biomarkers, and presumptive clinical
endpoints.



About TargeGen, Inc.



TargeGen, Inc. is a privately held vascular biology-focused
biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, CA. TargeGen primarily
develops small molecule kinase inhibitors that target vascular leakage
(edema), vascular proliferation (angiogenesis) and inflammation. Edema,
angiogenesis and inflammation are involved in the pathology of many major
human diseases.



TargeGen initiated operations in 2002 and has raised capital from top
tier venture capital sources. Current investors include VantagePoint
Venture Partners, Forward Ventures, Enterprise Partners, Chicago Growth
Partners, BB BIOTECH VENTURES, Innovis Investments, H&Q Capital Management,
Pappas Ventures, CTI Life Sciences and other investors.


TargeGen, Inc.

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