SAN DIEGO, May 17, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ —ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.(Nasdaq: ACAD), a biopharmaceutical company utilizing innovative technology tofuel drug discovery and clinical development of novel treatments for centralnervous system (CNS) disorders, today reported on the development of assaytechnologies for a major class of drug targets, tyrosine kinase linkedreceptors (RTKs). This important gene family has been demonstrated to play asignificant role in the development of many disease states, including CNSdisorders and cancer.
In a poster presentation at the Molecular Pharmacology Gordon Conferencein Il Ciocco, Italy, May 8-13, ACADIA highlighted a novel application of BRET(Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer) technology used to measure theinteraction of RTKs with several signaling proteins. This assay technologyallowed ACADIA scientists to define the biology of mutant forms of theepidermal growth factor receptor that have been associated with lung cancer.ACADIA scientists have found that these mutations induce constitutivesignaling through several proteins. Iressa and Tarceva, two drugs used totreat cancer, block this constitutive signaling with potencies that aredependent on the signaling protein and the specific mutation.
In an abstract at the ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) AnnualMeeting 2005 in Orlando, Florida, May 13-17, ACADIA described the applicationof its proprietary assay technology known as R-SAT(R) (Receptor Selection andAmplification Technology) to the development of high throughput assays for themajority of known RTKs. While R-SAT has the capability of identifyingactivators and inhibitors of RTKs, a key feature of the assay technology isits ability to identify compounds that block constitutive signaling of RTKs.
"In addition to focusing on G-protein coupled receptors and nuclearreceptors, we have now expanded our technology platform to include RTKs. Thiswill allow us to further strengthen our drug discovery capabilities andsystematically search for novel small molecule therapeutics for thesetargets," said Mark R. Brann, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer ofACADIA. "Importantly, our novel assay technology allows us to more preciselydefine the mechanism of action of drugs targeting the RTKs. Our work withIressa and Tarceva provides a good example, where we have improved theunderstanding of the treatment of lung cancer by studying the signals ofmutant forms of an RTK. We will apply this technology to further our drugdiscovery efforts to treat CNS disorders and other areas of unmet medicalneed."
About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company utilizing innovativetechnology to fuel drug discovery and clinical development of novel treatmentsfor CNS disorders. ACADIA currently has four drug programs in clinicaldevelopment as well as a portfolio of preclinical and discovery assetsdirected at large unmet medical needs, including schizophrenia, Parkinson'sdisease, neuropathic pain, and glaucoma. Using its proprietary drug discoveryplatform, ACADIA has discovered all of the drug candidates in its productpipeline. ACADIA's corporate headquarters is located in San Diego, Californiaand it maintains research and development operations in both San Diego andScandinavia.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical innature are forward-looking statements. These statements include but are notlimited to statements related to the progress and timing of ACADIA's drugdiscovery and development programs, the benefits to be derived from ACADIA'stechnology, and ACADIA's future discoveries, capabilities or results. Thesestatements are only predictions based on current information and expectationsand involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results maydiffer materially from those projected in any of such statements due tovarious factors, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in drugdiscovery, development and commercialization. For a discussion of these andother factors, please refer to ACADIA's annual report on Form 10-K for theyear ended December 31, 2004 filed with the United States Securities andExchange Commission as well as other subsequent filings with the Securitiesand Exchange Commission, including ACADIA's quarterly report on Form 10-Q forthe quarter ended March 31, 2005. You are cautioned not to place unduereliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the datehereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the PrivateSecurities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements arequalified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ACADIA undertakesno obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events orcircumstances after the date hereof.
Contacts:
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Lisa Barthelemy, Director, Investor Relations
Thomas H. Aasen, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(858) 558-2871