Regeneron Growth Factor May Promote Angiogenesis

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has reported that Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), a proprietary growth factor, promotes blood vessel formation in animals and may have therapeutic application in promoting angiogenesis. According to an article in the current issue of Science, Ang1 appears to work in tandem with the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family to help regulate blood vessel growth.

Dr. George D. Yancopoulos, senior vice president of Research and chief scientific officer at Regeneron, said, "Our previous research showed that Ang1, a naturally occurring protein, is required for normal blood vessel formation in the body. Today's article extends this finding by demonstrating that genetically providing additional Ang1 can promote enhanced blood vessel growth in animals. This result suggests the possible therapeutic use of Ang1 in ischemic diseases such as coronary artery disease or peripheral vascular disease that can accompany diabetes."

Regeneron conducted the research in collaboration with Dr. Thomas N. Sato of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and Dr. Gavin Thurston and Dr. Donald M. McDonald of the University of California at San Francisco.

Dr. Sato said, "The Ang1 results are more striking than those seen in previous studies with VEGF and did not show problems of vessel hyperpermeability and edema seen with VEGF. Thus we are excited about the possibility that Ang1, either alone or in combination with VEGF, can be useful in promoting therapeutically beneficial blood vessel formation."

For more information: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 777 Old Saw Mill River Rd., Tarrytown, NY 10591. Telephone: 914-345-7400. Fax: 914-347-2113.