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Redwood City, Calif. – June 22, 2005 – Genelabs Technologies,
Inc. (Nasdaq:GNLB) today provided an update on the development of
Prestara™, its investigational drug for lupus. The United States Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed to the company that the
indication “prevention of loss of bone mineral density in systemic
lupus erythematosus patients on glucocorticoids” qualifies for orphan
drug exclusivity under the original orphan drug designation previously
received by the company.
In October 2004, Genelabs announced that preliminary results of
clinical trial GL02-01 in women with lupus did not show statistical
significance for the primary endpoint, absolute change in bone mineral
density (BMD) at the lumbar spine after six months of treatment.
Genelabs subsequently completed its analysis of the clinical trial and
provided the data to outside consultants for a separate analysis and
report on the outcome. Results of Study GL02-01 at the primary
endpoint showed that patients on Prestara experienced a mean increase
of 0.003 gm/cm² in BMD at the lumbar spine compared to a decrease of
0.005 gm/cm² for the patients on placebo. Although these changes were
in the desired direction, the magnitude of the difference was not
large enough to reach statistical significance between groups
(p=0.293). This compared with the results from the company’s 12 month
trial GL95-02, in which, using the same units of measurement, patients
on Prestara experienced a mean increase of 0.015 gm/cm² in BMD at the
lumbar spine compared to a decrease of 0.010 gm/cm² for the patients
on placebo, and the difference was statistically significant
(p=0.002). The analyses of the trial results conducted by Genelabs and
its consultants both indicated that several factors likely contributed
to the failure of Study GL02-01 to demonstrate statistical
significance. These analyses suggest that the shorter treatment
duration of the study combined with higher BMD measurements of the
patients at baseline and the concurrent use of calcium and vitamin D
supplements were the most likely causes for the different outcome of
Study GL02-01.
To obtain further information about the effect of Prestara on the bone
mineral density of lupus patients, Genelabs currently is conducting an
open label 12 month extension of the GL02-01 BMD study, which is
designated Study GL03-01. This study is expected to be completed in
August 2005, and some patients will have as much as 18 months of
exposure to Prestara, comprised of six months under GL02-01 plus
twelve months under GL03-01, with BMD measurements at six-month
intervals. While Study GL03-01 may provide useful data on the effect
of Prestara on bone mineral density of women with lupus over a longer
period of time, the FDA normally does not consider such open label
studies to be sufficient to support approval of a new drug.
Genelabs and the FDA have scheduled a meeting to discuss the company’s
options with regard to the development of Prestara for lupus. Genelabs
expects to determine its future development plans for Prestara after
completing Study GL03-01 and meeting with the FDA.
About Genelabs
Genelabs Technologies, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
the discovery and development of pharmaceutical products to improve
human health. We have built drug discovery and clinical development
capabilities that can support various research and development
projects. Genelabs is currently concentrating its capabilities on
developing a late-stage product for lupus, discovering novel compounds
that selectively inhibit replication of the hepatitis C virus and
advancing preclinical development of compounds from this hepatitis C
virus drug discovery program. We believe that these high-risk,
potentially high reward programs focus our research and development
expertise in areas where we have the opportunity to generate either
first-in-class or best-in-class products that will address diseases
for which current therapies are inadequate.
Genelabs® and the Genelabs logo are registered trademarks and
Prestara™ is a trademark of Genelabs Technologies, Inc.
NOTE ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISKS: This press release
contains forward-looking statements including statements regarding the
future development of Prestara™, continuation and conclusion of the
open label study, potential meetings with the FDA, possible factors
that could affect a future clinical trial, future orphan drug status
and prospects for our HCV program. These forward-looking statements
are based on Genelabs’ current expectations and are subject to
uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the statements made. Uncertainties and risks include,
without limitation, further analysis of the data; adverse results from
the open label study or Taiwan study; fluctuations in Genelabs’ stock
price; regulatory problems or delays regarding Prestara; de-listing
from the Nasdaq National Market; factors affecting our HCV drug
discovery program; increases in expenses and Genelabs’ capital
requirements and history of operating losses. Please see the
information appearing in the Genelabs’ filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form
10-K, under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking
Statements” for more discussion regarding these uncertainties and
risks and others associated with the company's research programs,
early stage of development and other risks which may affect the
company or cause actual results to differ from those included in the
forward-looking statements. Genelabs does not undertake any obligation
to update these forward-looking statements or risks to reflect events
or circumstances after the date of this release.
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