Bionovo publishes discoveries in predictable tissue selectivity for selective estrogen receptor modulators platform

Jan 5 2009

Bionovo, Inc. has announced results describing predictable estrogen regulatory elements that can be used to identify estrogenic drugs that are safer.

The data, published in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, showed that the new regulatory elements can distinguish the estrogenic pharmacological activity exerted by different compounds and allow for more accurate prediction of specific tissue effect.

"Selective estrogen modulators (SERMs) are an exciting class of drugs that are used to prevent breast cancer and osteoporosis and differ from estrogens in how they regulate gene transcription," said Dr. Dale Leitman, from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. "This study identified gene elements that are activated by SERMs but not by estrogens used in hormone therapy. The identification of these elements, coupled with the understanding of the differential regulation in various tissues by each estrogen receptor subtype, provides a new platform for the discovery of safer estrogenic drugs with SERM-like profiles to prevent and treat a variety of clinical conditions associated with menopause."

The study was conducted by investigators at The Center for Reproductive Sciences in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco in collaboration with scientists at Bionovo.

"The discovery of these selective estrogen regulatory elements strengthens our SERM discovery engine," said Isaac Cohen, Bionovo's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The advantage of the new array, of specific regulatory elements, is manifest in the pharmacological and toxicological insights gained. We can now acquire higher predictive value and greater specificity from a complex biological system such as the regulation of the estrogen receptor pathways. I believe this puts Bionovo at the forefront of future SERM products which are far more specific and a more favorable safety profile. This is a breakthrough for all future drugs that regulate the vast diverse effects of conditions affected by nuclear receptors. Bionovo is positioned to explore and exploit these pathways for many serious diseases with its expanded scientific collaborations. We are proud to continue pursuing our innovative approaches to drug discovery and development in these challenging times."