Antiangiogenic Role Of 2ME2 Demonstrated In Rheumatoid Arthritis Models

EntreMed, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ENMD), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing
therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases,
announced the publication of preclinical results for 2ME2 (Panzem(R) or 2-
methoxyestradiol) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results of the study,
conducted by EntreMed collaborator, Dr. Ernest Brahn, Professor of
Medicine, Rheumatology Program Director, David Geffen School of Medicine at
UCLA, were published in the November 2008 issue of the Journal of
Rheumatology (Brahn E, Banquerigo ML, Lee JK, Park EJ, Fogler WE, and Plum
SM. An angiogenesis inhibitor, 2-methoxyestradiol, involutes rat
collagen-induced arthritis and suppresses synovial VEGF and bFGF gene
expression. J Rheumatol 2008;35:2119- 28).



Results from treatment studies in a preclinical model of established
rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated that daily oral administration of 2ME2
suppressed both clinical and radiographic indicators of joint inflammation
and damage, including soft tissue swelling and bone erosion. The treatment
benefits of 2ME2 were dose-dependent and associated with reduced joint
expression of the prominent angiogenic growth factors, FGF-2 and VEGF, as
well as decreased angiogenesis. The report further demonstrates both a
delay in onset and decrease in severity of arthritis if 2ME2 treatment is
started prior to disease initiation. These results indicate that 2ME2 may
represent a novel agent for treatment of inflammatory autoimmune diseases
such as rheumatoid arthritis and identify 2ME2 as a disease modifying
anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD).



Dr. Brahn commented on the outcome of the study, "These results
demonstrate the beneficial effect of 2ME2 in managing disease progression
in preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, these results
indicate that 2ME2 may represent a novel agent for the treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis through its inhibitory activity on inflammation and
angiogenesis."



Kenneth W. Bair, Ph.D., EntreMed Senior Vice President, Research &
Development, further commented, "These data continue to support the
potential therapeutic benefit of 2ME2 for the treatment of inflammatory
diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. 2ME2 is an oral, small molecule,
disease-modifying anti- rheumatic drug with an excellent safety profile
established through daily dosing in more than 300 cancer patients, some for
over 5 years. The Company has initiated clinical activities to support 2ME2
in RA, including the completion of a healthy volunteer study. Results of
the healthy volunteer study have been submitted to the FDA and, once
feedback has been received, we will determine the appropriate next steps
for continuing the 2ME2 RA clinical program."
















About Rheumatoid Arthritis



Rheumatoid arthritis affects over 2 million American adults, of which
about two-thirds of them are women. The disease, characterized by pain,
stiffness, swelling, and deformity can become debilitating. Within 5 years
of diagnosis, a third of patients are no longer working, and within 10
years, half of the patients have substantial functional disability. RA can
shorten life expectancy by 5-10 years.



Rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most common forms of arthritis, is a
systemic disease characterized by inflammation of the membrane lining of
the joint, which causes pain, stiffness, redness, swelling, and loss of
function in the joint. The inflamed joint lining, called the synovium,
releases enzymes that destroy bone and cartilage, causing the joint to lose
its shape and alignment. This process can result in joint pain, loss of
movement, and deformity. DMARDs are drugs that have the ability to slow
down disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune
diseases.



About EntreMed



EntreMed, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing
therapeutic candidates primarily for the treatment of cancer and
inflammation. MKC-1, an oral cell-cycle regulator with activity against the
mTOR pathway, is currently in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials for cancer.
ENMD-1198, a novel antimitotic agent, and ENMD-2076, a selective kinase
inhibitor, are in Phase 1 studies in advanced cancers. The Company also has
an approved IND application for Panzem(R) in rheumatoid arthritis.
EntreMed's goal is to develop and commercialize new compounds based on the
Company's expertise in angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation, cell signaling
and inflammation - processes vital to the treatment of cancer and other
diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Additional information about
EntreMed is available on the Company's web site at entremed and in
various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Forward Looking Statements



This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act with respect to the outlook
for expectations for future financial or business performance (including
the timing of royalty revenues and future R&D expenditures), strategies,
expectations and goals. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous
assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and no
duty to update forward-looking statements is assumed. Actual results could
differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of
factors, including those set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission
filings under "Risk Factors," including risks relating to the need for
additional capital and the uncertainty of additional funding; variations in
actual sales of Thalomid(R), risks associated with the Company's product
candidates; the early-stage products under development; results in
preclinical models are not necessarily indicative of clinical results,
uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical trials; success in the
clinical development of any products; dependence on third parties; future
capital needs; and risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of the
Company's proposed products (such as marketing, safety, regulatory, patent,
product liability, supply, competition and other risks).


EntreMed, Inc.

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