SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.– January 13, 2009 – Acceleron Pharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics that modulate the growth of cells and tissues including bone, muscle and red blood cells, today announced that it has designated a new development candidate, ACE-536, which selectively increases red blood cells and hemoglobin, as a potential treatment for anemia. ACE-536, like the Company’s lead development candidate ACE-011, utilizes a mechanism fundamentally different from existing therapies to increase hemoglobin levels.
“We are extremely excited about ACE-536 because it represents an entirely new method of increasing hemoglobin and also demonstrates the tremendous potential of the GDF family of proteins in which Acceleron is the recognized leader in discovering and developing therapeutics based on this family of proteins,” said John Knopf, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. “With our bone, muscle, fat, vasculature and now, red blood cell programs, we are only beginning to tap into the potential of this family and we are proud of our unique strength in this field.”
Acceleron now has two distinct development programs that increase red blood cells and hemoglobin – ACE-011 and ACE-536. Results from the ACE-011 Phase 1b clinical trial demonstrated an increase hemoglobin and bone mineral density. ACE-011 is currently being studied in a Phase 2 trial in multiple myeloma patients with osteolytic bone disease and is being jointly developed by Acceleron and Celgene Corporation. The second and newest program, ACE-536, also increases red blood cells and hemoglobin but with no effects on bone. Both of these programs are based on Acceleron’s knowledge of the Growth and Differentiation Factor (GDF) family of proteins. Acceleron’s GDF-based approach is distinct from approved anemia therapies and those in development, which generally target one of two pathways to increase red blood cells and hemoglobin: the vast majority of anemia treatments take a variety of approaches to target the erythropoietin pathway (EPO), while other development stage programs target the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1 alpha) pathway.
By modulating GDF ligands and receptors, Acceleron’s product candidates address multiple indications including anemia, cancer, bone loss, and muscle diseases providing benefit to patients with unmet medical needs.
About Acceleron
Acceleron is a privately held biopharmaceutical company committed to discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize novel biotherapeutics that modulate the growth of bone, muscle, red blood cells, fat and the vasculature to treat musculoskeletal, metabolic and cancer-related diseases. Acceleron’s scientific approach takes advantage of its unique insight into the regenerative powers of the Growth and Differentiation Factor (GDF) family of proteins. ACE-011 is currently being studied in a Phase 2 clinical trial in multiple myeloma patients with osteolytic bone disease. ACE-031 is currently being studied in a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers. In addition, the company is advancing new product candidates that increase muscle mass, control angiogenesis, inhibit fat accumulation and increase hemoglobin. Acceleron utilizes proven biotherapeutic technologies and capitalizes on the company’s internal GMP manufacturing capability to rapidly and efficiently advance its therapeutic programs. The investors in Acceleron are Advanced Technology Ventures, Bessemer Ventures, Flagship Ventures, MPM BioEquities, OrbiMed Advisors, Polaris Ventures, QVT Financial, Sutter Hill Ventures and Venrock. For more information, visit www.acceleronpharma.com.
CONTACT:
Acceleron Pharma:
Steven Ertel, 617-649-9234
Vice President, Corporate Development
Paul Kidwell (Media)
Suda Communications LLC, tel: 617-296-3854