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SP-SAP is a single-dose, nonopioid, substance P receptor-targetedtreatment designed to specifically bind to and eliminate a subset of neuronsthat send the chronic pain signal to the brain. Preclinical studies in animalmodels have shown that SP-SAP eliminates chronic pain without disrupting othersensory modalities or motor function and is well tolerated.
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"When we partner early, as we have here, we can make a major difference inthe overall development of promising drug candidates such as SP-SAP," saidLynda Sutton, COO of Cato Research and CEO of Advanced Pain Therapeutics."The flexible, broad-based relationships among APT, ATS, and Cato Researchposition us well to execute our innovative drug development model."
Denise Higgins, Vice President of ATS, affirms that this arrangementallows for a unique synergy between the companies. "We are enthusiastic aboutworking with APT and Cato Research to help address the under-served chronicpain population. Our preclinical work with SP-SAP makes us very optimisticabout the impact this innovative treatment can have for those who aresuffering."
Chronic disease states and tissue damage can lead to chronic pain. Inparticular, terminally ill patients often experience severe, chronic pain dueto advancement of disease or unwanted side effects of treatment. Although inmany cases, standard treatments, such as opioids, can control pain, there is asignificant subset of patients who cannot find relief through standard care.Use of opioids can also be associated with unwanted, severe side-effects. Inthese cases, sedation or cordotomy may be a patient's only option for painrelief. Hence, severe chronic pain represents a serious, poorly met medicalneed. SP-SAP offers a novel approach to target a specific set of neuronsinvolved in chronic pain and as such, has the potential to revolutionize theway severe chronic pain is treated.
About Advanced Pain Therapeutics
Headquartered near Research Triangle Park, privately held APT will workwith Cato Research and Cato BioVentures to develop and commercialize SP-SAP asa novel, nonopioid treatment for severe chronic pain, with minimal adverseside effects.
About Cato Research
Founded in 1988 by Allen Cato, M.D., Ph.D., and Lynda Sutton andheadquartered near Research Triangle Park, Cato Research is a global,full-service contract research and development organization providingstrategic and tactical support for clients in the pharmaceutical,biotechnology, medical device, and medical diagnostic industries. With astaff of more than 300 employees located in the United States, Europe, Canada,Israel, and South Africa, Cato Research's services range from design andmanagement of preclinical and clinical studies to submission of regulatorydocuments required for marketing approval.
About Advanced Targeting Systems
A San Diego-based biotechnology company, ATS is a pioneer in the use oftoxin conjugates targeted to eliminate specific cells through a powerfultechnique called Molecular Neurosurgery. Since 1994, Dr. Douglas Lappi, theleading expert in the manufacture and use of targeted toxins, and his team atATS have been developing and selling reagent
