PharmaTelevision - La Jolla Pharmaceutical Offers Fresh Hope for Sufferers of Lupus

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Video title: La Jolla Pharmaceutical Offers Fresh Hope for Sufferers of Lupus

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In this interview, filmed during the recent BIO conference in San Diego, Fintan Walton speaks with Dr. Deirdre Gillespie, President and CEO of nearby La Jolla Pharmaceutical. La Jolla is currently in the latter stage of Phase III testing with their unique product, Riquent, which is designed to treat patients with lupus. Riquent employs novel technology, created by La Jolla, in that it is comprised mostly of DNA and sweeps the antibodies that are attacking patients’ DNA out of their bloodstream. Since the commonest causes of ill health among lupus sufferers is caused by the treatments for it—often high dosages of steroids to fight flares—Riquent is used to prevent exacerbations and is therefore, much safer. Dr. Gillespie reveals how the company had to rebound after failing with Riquent in Phase III clinical trials a few years back when it was discovered the dosages were too low. Since then, they have secured another round of funding and have increased the dosage by several factors in the current stage of testing. Dr.Gillespie anticipates they will be able to launch Riquent at some point between now and the end of 2009, depending on the results of ongoing studies.

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Riquent unsuccessful in getting FDA Approval and taking Product Forward

Fintan Walton :

Hello and welcome to PharmaVentures business review here live in San Diego, California. On this show I haveDeirdre Gillespie , who is CEO of La Jolla Pharmaceutical based here in San Diego.

Deirdre Gillespie :

Hello Fintan Walton .

Fintan Walton :

How are you?

Deirdre Gillespie :

Very well, thank you. Pleasure to be here.

Fintan Walton :

Good. Now Deirdre Gillespie , you joined La Jolla Pharmaceutical back in March 2006?

Full video transcripts are available with PharmaTelevision Premium Content. Click here to buy a subscription or sign up for a 14 day free trial.

Deirdre Y Gillespie

M.D ,President and Chief Executive Officer

Deirdre Gillespie , M.D., joined La Jolla Pharmaceutical in 2006. From 2001 to 2005, she was President and Chief Executive Officer of Oxxon Therapeutics, a privately held pharmaceutical company developing immunotherapies for chronic infectious diseases and cancer. Previously, Dr. Deirdre Gillespie was Chief Operating Officer at Vical Inc, a publicly-traded gene delivery company focusing on immunotherapeutics and cancer vaccines. Prior to joining Vical Inc in 1998, she was Vice President of Business Development at 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals and held senior positions at DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company, in both Europe and the United States, including Vice President, Marketing. Prior to completing five years of clinical practice in London and Oxford, Dr. Deirdre Gillespie spent five years in clinical development with Sandoz Pharma AG Novartis in the UK and Switzerland. Dr. Deirdre Gillespie received her M.B.A. from the London Business School and her M.D. and B.Sc. from London University.

La Jolla Pharmaceutical

La Jolla Pharmaceutical ("La Jolla") is dedicated to improving and preserving human life by developing innovative pharmaceutical products. La Jolla Pharmaceutical's leading product in development isRiquent(abetimus sodium), which is designed to treat patients with lupus. lupus is an antibody-mediated disease caused by abnormal B cell production of antibodies that attack healthy tissues. La Jolla Pharmaceutical has also developed small molecules to treat various other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. The company's common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol LJPC. As of December 31, 2007, La Jolla Pharmaceuticala owned 135 issued patents and had 40 pending patent applications in the United States and in foreign countries covering various technologies and drug candidates, includingRiquent and their SSAO-inhibitor-technology.