Idera is collaborating with TMA to advance a potential new treatment approach myositis

Idera is collaborating with TMA to advance a potential new treatment approach myositis -

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDRA), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing nucleic acid therapies for patients with cancer and rare diseases, and myositis Association (TMA), the only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to serving all patients with inflammatory myopathies, today announced a cooperation to advance a potential new treatment approach for polymyositis and dermatomyositis known as Toll-like receptor (TLR) antagonism. As part of the collaboration, Idera and TMA will develop educational programs and resources for patients and health care providers, including interactive online chats on TLR antagonism and opportunities to participate in clinical research come. Idera plans to initiate a clinical trial of its investigational drug candidate IMO-8400, a first-in-class antagonist of TLRs 7, 8 and 9, polymyositis and dermatomyositis by the end of 2014.

"We are very excited and pleased to work with TMA, an association of defense of the first myositis plane patients who shares our commitment to advancing new therapies that could improve outcomes for patients living with this rare and painful inflammatory muscle disease "said Kate Haviland, VP of rare diseases Pharmaceuticals Idera." as we prepare to advance our drug candidate survey IMO-8400 in the clinical development of polymyositis and dermatomyositis, we believe that the TMA help increase awareness of patient and physician and excitement with opportunities to participate in clinical research involving TLR antagonism. "

" TMA is very pleased to work with Idera to advance their new TLR antagonist therapeutic approach myositis, "said Bob Goldberg, Executive Director of the Association myositis. "We believe Idera work done will advance the medical field myositis and our understanding of how best to treat patients suffering from this debilitating rare disease."

Myopathies Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are devastating, rare inflammatory that cause inflammation and progressive weakness of muscles. polymyositis and dermatomyositis patients may develop severe disabilities, including loss of mobility, difficulty breathing and swallowing, and have an increased risk of certain cancers. dermatomyositis is also accompanied by a purple rash or red skin. it is estimated that 15,000 polymyositis patients and 25,000 dermatomyositis patients in the US alone. both polymyositis and dermatomyositis have been designated as rare diseases by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).