Molecular Design International and LeadDiscovery announce strategic partnership to advance treatments of cancer and female sexual dysfunction

Molecular Design International (MDI) and LeadDiscovery are pleased to announce a strategic partnership through which LeadDiscovery will inject their drug development resources into the advancement of MDIs pharmaceutical product portfolio.

Sussex, UK -- February 20th, 2002 -- Molecular Design International (MDI) and LeadDiscovery are pleased to announce a strategic partnership through which LeadDiscovery will inject their drug development resources into the advancement of MDIs pharmaceutical product portfolio.
Memphis based MDI has developed a pharmaceutical pipeline focused on dermatology, obesity, cancer and female sexual dysfunction. Following the successful licensing of its lead anti-obesity drug and the movement of two drugs into advanced stages of development for dermatological indications, MDI is aggressively advancing other promising pipeline products.
To meet this goal, a partnership between MDI and LeadDiscovery has been established to expedite the development of promising pre-clinical candidates, MDI-301 for cancer and HMP-12 for sexual dysfunction, as well as the identification of new drug discovery projects.
According to company CEO, Dr. Jon Goldhill "LeadDiscovery is delighted with this partnership. One of our key aims is to inject our pharmaceutical experience into the drug development activities of biotechs and academic institutions. Our involvement with MDI is particularly exciting since we believe that MDI-301, a novel 9-cis retinoic acid derivative, represents one of the most promising anti-cancer retinoic acid derivatives developed to date".
In the past, retinoic acids have been of limited use for cancer patients due to toxicological and drug resistance issues. Unlike, 9-cis retinoic acid itself, MDI-301 has displayed little toxicity and it slows the growth of retinoic acid-resistant cancer cells suggesting that this therapeutic candidate stands an excellent chance of becoming an additional weapon in the fight against cancer.
"While our agreement will focus on the pre-clinical development of MDI-301" continues Dr Goldhill, "we will be playing a key role in the evolution of MDIs pipeline. This will include efforts to expedite the development of the promising female sexual dysfunction treatment HMP-12 and the identification of new therapeutic targets".
According to Dr. William (Bill) Purcell, President and CEO of MDI "our principal objectives are to develop our pipeline at all stages including the identification of new drug candidates and the development of existing ones such as MDI-301 and HMP-12. LeadDiscovery has built a reputation of being able to identify cutting edge research with commercial potential and where necessary help companies such as ours develop this potential towards the clinic. We are therefore delighted to have a partnership with LeadDiscovery."
MDI has brought together a collaboration of five field-leading cancer research groups from around the world, which will be establishing the therapeutic activity of MDI-301 in prostate, breast, and other forms of cancer. LeadDiscovery will coordinate and guide the research activities of these groups. Entry into clinical trial is anticipated for 2002.
LeadDiscovery is a UK based pharmaceutical consultancy company supported by a web platform (www.leaddiscovery.co.uk) offering three key services. TherapeuticAdvances is a bulletin of cutting edge research with commercial potential circulated to over 4,500 industrial personnel. DiscoveryDossiers represent in depth analyses of drug discovery options selected by LeadDiscovery specialists or produced for institutions wishing to stimulate strategic partnerships. PharmaceuticalSolutions is a client-lead service through which LeadDiscovery is able to offer advice and project management relating to pre-clinical target selection and drug development.
MDI is based in Memphis Tennessee. The company focuses on discovering, patenting, and evaluating new drug candidates. The most promising candidates are developed and out-licensed to larger pharmaceutical companies that continue the development through the regulatory process and ultimately to a successful marketing effort. MDI has demonstrated success with this business model. MDI also operates a successful research service using its experience in medicinal chemistry by conducting drug discovery and custom synthesis under contract. More information about MDI can be found at their website (www.moleculardesign.com).