Acadesine is an
adenosine receptor agonist (ARA) in development for the treatment of ischaemia-
reperfusion injury and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Schering-Plough is developing the compound as a
cardioprotective agent in ischaemia-
reperfusion injury. Avancell and Protherics are co-developing
acadesine for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL). Clinical development is underway for both indications. In January 2005, PeriCor
Therapeutics obtained a sublicense for the worldwide rights to
acadesine and three additional ARA compounds from Dr Mangano who was a founder of the company. Dr Mangano acquired the license of worldwide rights for
acadesine from Metabasis in November 2000.Previously, in December 1997, all intellectual property rights and data covering
acadesine and related ARAs for cardiovascular and
cerebrovascular disorders were transferred from the original developer, Gensia Sicor (SICOR), to Metabasis
Therapeutics in an asset-liability transfer agreement.Schering-Plough intends to conduct a randomized, placebo-controlled phase III trial, which is required for regulatory approval. The trial will further evaluate
acadesine in patients deemed to be at high risk of ischaemic
heart disorders. Patients will have either undergone
coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or have a history of cardiovascular events (
heart attack or
stroke). Protherics presented 2-year mortality results from a study of
acadesine, investigating long-term mortality after perioperative
myocardial infarction, at the 55th Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology in 2006.Previously, Gensia Sicor conducted clinical trials of
acadesine in Canada, the EU and the US; results of these trials were inconclusive.
Acadesine has been shown to selectively cause the death of B-cells, whilst sparing T-cells when administered to blood samples taken from patients with B-CLL. Orphan drug status has been granted for
acadesine in the EU for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.