June 6, 2007
Ascenta Therapeutics is "Fierce", on Leading Edge of Biotech
SAN DIEGO, CA � June 6, 2007
Ascenta Therapeutics announced today that it has been named to the annual FierceBiotech �Fierce 15� list, designating it as one of the top biotech companies of 2007. The editors of FierceBiotech evaluated hundreds of privately-held firms based on company vision, revenue potential, quality of deals, strength of technology, partnerships, and competitive market position. Ascenta Therapeutics was determined to be one of the "fiercest," proven by their creativity and innovations in the industry.
An internationally recognized daily newsletter reaching more than 56,000 biotech and pharma industry professionals, FierceBiotech provides subscribers with a quick authoritative briefing on the day�s top stories, with a special focus on drug discovery and clinical trials.
"Ascenta is gaining serious ground in the field of apoptosis and has a clearly thought-out strategy for a full range of pipeline candidates," said John Carroll, Editor of FierceBiotech.
In early April, Ascenta announced the close of a $50 million Series C round of financing. With AT-101, an oral, pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor compound in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials in both solid and heme tumors and a preclinical pipeline of compounds directed against MDM2 and XIAP, two key apoptosis targets, Ascenta is focused on developing a broad portfolio of apoptotic therapeutics for the treatment of cancer.
"FierceBiotech is renowned for its advanced understanding of biotechnology companies and the industry as a whole," said Mark Benedyk, Ph.D., Vice President, Business Development of Ascenta. "Being selected as a member of the 'Fierce 15' is an honor that highlights Ascenta�s potential to make a significant impact in both the biotech market and the field of oncology. We are extremely pleased to be part of the 2007 'Fierce 15' group of biotechnology companies."
The Fierce 15 celebrates the spirit of being "fierce" � championing innovation and creativity, even in the face of intense competition. The complete list of 'Fierce 15' companies is available in today�s issue of FierceBiotech and on the FierceBiotech Web site at www.fiercebiotech.com.
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About Ascenta Therapeutics, Inc.
Founded in 2003, Ascenta Therapeutics is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops targeted new medicines for the treatment of cancer. The company has offices in San Diego, California and Malvern, Pennsylvania, and has a preclinical research facility in Shanghai, China. Its technology, licensed from both the National Institutes of Health and the laboratory of Dr. Shaomeng Wang at the University of Michigan, is focused on molecules that hit vulnerable targets in endogenous apoptosis pathways to shut down cell growth and proliferation in cancer cells.