HOPE for Hedgehog Protein/Curis update-news

October 22, 2003

(These results clearly make Hedgehog Protein a frontrunner in

therapy/and or arrestment for neurological diseases, which include our

CMT. ~ Gretchen)

Cells Improves Function in a Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Preclinical study wins " Outstanding Paper " Award at annual meeting of

the North American Spine Society

CAMBRIDGE, MA, October 22, 2003 - Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRIS) today

announced that there will be a presentation of a paper on Friday,

October 24, 2003 at the annual meeting of the North American Spine

Society which demonstrates that administration of Hedgehog protein and

certain brain precursor cells results in improved function in a model of

spinal cord injury. This study has been distinguished with an

" Outstanding Paper " award given by the society.

The paper is entitled " Transplantation of Oligodendryocyte Precursors

and Sonic Hedgehog Results in Improved Function and White Matter Sparing

in the Spinal Cords of Adult Rats after Contusion " . The authors of the

study, Drs. Bambikidis and of the Departments of

Neurosurgery and Neurosciences at Case Western Reserve University,

suggest that Hedgehog may be acting by increasing the replication of

spinal cord precursor cells and by increasing nerve function.

Curis supplied the Hedgehog protein that was used in the study. Curis is

developing drug candidates that activate the Hedgehog signaling pathway

for the treatment of spinal cord injuries and other neurological

disorders.

Dr. Lee Rubin, Curis' Chief Scientific Officer, said, " This report adds

to the growing

body of evidence that suggests a major role for the Hedgehog pathway in

controlling the number and type of cells in the spinal cord after it has

been damaged, thereby promoting repair and regeneration. "

Passeri, Curis' President and Chief Executive Officer stated,

" Spinal cord injury is a devastating condition that often results in

lifelong disability for which there is no adequate treatment. Spinal

cord injuries occur in approximately 12,000 to 15,000 people per year in

the U.S. with about about 10,000 of these people permanently paralyzed.

These new results point to another possible therapeutic indication for

Curis' Hedgehog technologies in the neurobiology field. "

Recommended Posts