ChemoCentryx Reports Novel CCR2 Antagonist Significantly Improves Kidney Function and Hyperglycemia in Models of Type 2 Diabetes

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ChemoCentryx, Inc. today announced that the Company's novel CCR2 antagonist significantly improves kidney function and hyperglycemia in experimental models.  These data implicate CCR2-driven processes in the pathology of type 2 diabetes and associated complications such as diabetic nephropathy.  Results were highlighted in a poster presentation entitled "CCR2 Antagonism Improves Renal Function and Hyperglycemia in Preclinical Models of Type 2 Diabetes" at the 71st Scientific Session of the American Diabetes Association held in San Diego.  CCX140, the Company's lead novel, orally available CCR2 antagonist, successfully met its primary endpoint of safety and tolerability in a Phase II clinical trial in type 2 diabetes, while demonstrating clinical activity on glycemic indices following only 28 days of treatment.  CCX140 is currently poised to enter Phase II clinical development for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

"In the United States there are more than 31 million patients living with chronic kidney disease, 37% as a result of having diabetes," stated Thomas J. Schall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of ChemoCentryx.  "Complicating matters further is the fact that the current standard of care does not stop or reverse progression and with the increasing number of patients who progress to end-stage renal disease each year -- there is a clear demand for better treatment options.  We believe these data demonstrate compelling rationale to move forward CCX140, our most advanced CCR2 antagonist, in a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy."

CCR2 inhibition was studied in two models of type 2 diabetes:  diet-induced obese mice and db/db mice. Treatment with the CCR2 antagonist significantly improved multiple metabolic/renal parameters in obese, diabetic mice, including hyperglycemia, insulin sensitivity, serum adiponectin, glucosuria, albuminuria and serum markers (creatinine and BUN) of renal function.  The metabolic improvements correlated with a significant reduction in adipose tissue macrophage numbers.

About ChemoCentryx

ChemoCentryx, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing orally-administered therapeutics that target the chemokine and chemoattractant systems in order to treat autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer. The chemokine system is a biological network that regulates inflammation via a collection of secreted chemokine molecules, or ligands, and their specific cell surface receptors.

Based on its proprietary drug discovery and drug development platform, ChemoCentryx has generated multiple clinical and preclinical-stage programs, each targeting distinct chemokine and chemoattractant receptors with different small molecule compounds. ChemoCentryx's lead compound, CCX282 (Traficet-EN, now designated GSK1605786, also known as GSK'786), a specific CCR9 antagonist, completed a multi-national clinical trial, called PROTECT-1, in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease, where it demonstrated the ability to induce a clinical response and to maintain clinical remission, and is now in Phase III clinical development.  CCX140, a CCR2 antagonist, has been shown to be safe and well tolerated while demonstrating clinical activity on glycemic indices in a Phase II clinical trial in type 2 diabetes.  CCX140 is poised to enter Phase II clinical development for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.  Other clinical programs include CCX354, a CCR1 antagonist in a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; CCX168, a C5aR antagonist, that completed Phase I clinical development and is anticipated to enter Phase II clinical trials in 2011; and CCX832, a ChemR23 antagonist in Phase I clinical development. ChemoCentryx also has several programs in advanced preclinical development.  ChemoCentryx is privately held. For more information, please refer to www.chemocentryx.com.

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements". These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE ChemoCentryx, Inc.