2008.12.08 – Competitor Analysis for Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors

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PRESS RELEASE
Research and Markets: A Competitor Analysis for Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors

Last update: 6:43 a.m. EST Dec. 10, 2008
DUBLIN, Ireland, Dec 10, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/338ec3/competitor_analysi) has announced the addition of the “Competitor Analysis: Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors” report to their offering.
The present Competitive Intelligence Report about new developments in the pipeline of inhibitors of the janus-associated kinase (JAK) provides a competitor evaluation in the field of R&D projects from preclinical stages up to advanced clinical phases of JAK Inhibitors as of December 2008.
As cytokines play pivotal roles in immunity and inflammation, targeting of cytokines and their receptors represents an effective means of treating such diseases. Janus kinases (JAK) are a small family of receptor-associated kinases, that together with signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT), provide a rapid signalling pathway for cytokines. Four JAKs have been identified: JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2). JAK3 has attracted much attention as an anti-inflammatory drug target because of its restricted hematopoietic tissue expression and because of its specific association with the common gamma chain of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor which is shared by the receptors for IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21. Quite a number of companies are developing selective JAK3 inhibitors as JAK3 appears not to have functions outside of hematopoetic cells. Pfizer leads the field with evaluation of JAK3 inhibition in a number of inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis and prevention of transplant rejection. Results from the first phase II study of Pfizer’s JAK3 inhibitor revealed the best reported results so far for a small molecule tested in rheumatoid arthritis. JAK2 gain-of-function mutations (JAK2V617F) underlie a subset of disorders collectively referred to as myeloproliferative disorders. The most advanced JAK2 inhibitors are also being evaluated in phase II trials for myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia.
Key Topics Covered:
The report includes a compilation of current active projects in research and development of selective and multi-kinase inhibitors incl. JAK-2 and JAK-3 inhibitors, for the treatment of myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. In addition, the report lists company-specific pipelines of JAK inhibitors.
Competitor projects are listed in a tabular format providing Information on:
Drug Codes, Target / Mechanism of Action, Class of Compound, Company, Product Category, Indication, R&D Stage and additional comments with a hyperlink leading to the source of information.
Companies Mentioned:
Corporate JAK Inhibitor R&D Pipelines:
Astellas Pharma Astex Therapeutics AstraZeneca Cephalon Cytopia Eli Lilly (SGX Pharmaceuticals) Exelixis Incyte Pharmaceuticals Johnson & Johnson Ligand Pharmaceuticals (Pharmacopeia) Merck Serono Novartis Nova Decision Palau Pharma Pfizer Portola Pharmaceuticals Rigel Pharmaceuticals S*Bio Sai Advantium SuperGen TargeGen Vertex Pharmaceuticals Wyeth
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/338ec3/competitor_analysi
SOURCE: Research and Markets

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