Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or heart attack, is the number one disease-related cause of death in the developed world with approximately 2.1 million new cases per year in the US, Western Europe and Japan.
Following a heart attack, the condition of hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) activates kinase signaling cascades which cause biochemical changes to blood vessels that permit leakage and inflammation. The leakage out of the vasculature contributes to microcirculatory collapse, heart tissue damage and ultimate infarct size.
TG100-115, when administered intravenously, has been designed to block vascular leakage and inflammation following an ischemic event. By preventing vascular leakage and reducing inflammation related reperfusion injury, heart muscle tissue is preserved.
“The initiation of this trial is an important milestone for TargeGen,” stated Peter Ulrich, president, CEO and co-founder of TargeGen. “TG100-115 is an important new first in class drug candidate that potentially addresses a leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide.”
In addition to TG100-115, TargeGen is developing TG 100-435, an orally available compound for oncology and edema indications and TG 100-344 for eye diseases (macular edema).