GlycoMimetics, Inc. Awarded NIH Grant to Study Drug Candidate in Diabetes
Proprietary class of compounds to be evaluated for diabetes-related vascular inflammation

GAITHERSBURG, Md. – August 16, 2009 -- GlycoMimetics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is developing a new class of glycobiology-based therapies for a broad range of indications, today announced it has been awarded a grant from The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of The National Institutes of Health (NIH) to evaluate its E-selectin small molecule antagonists in animal models of vascular complications of diabetes.

The grant is based upon substantial data in the scientific literature suggesting an important role for E-selectin in the chronic inflammation associated with diabetes.  The company has developed a family of potent small molecule E-selectin antagonists which it is currently optimizing for oral availability.

“We are excited about the potential for our E-selectin antagonists to treat or prevent vascular complications of diabetes, and we believe GlycoMimetics’ family of small molecule therapeutics could represent a breakthrough in this field,” said John Magnani, Ph.D., GlycoMimetics’ Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.  “It is gratifying to have this important research recognized by the NIH.”

Elevated levels of E-selectin have been shown to correlate with increased risk of complications related to poor microvascular blood flow, such as diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy.  GlycoMimetics has discovered a class of potent E-selectin inhibitors, one of which, in earlier tests, was shown to improve blood flow by inhibiting leukocyte rolling and adhesion in diabetic mice. The company believes that E-selectin antagonists could also be beneficial in treating certain inflammatory skin conditions where E-selectin plays an important role.


About GlycoMimetics’ Selectin Antagonist Program
E-selectin is a cell adhesion molecule implicated in inflammation. GlycoMimetics has designed molecules that mimic the native E-selectin ligand and that have significantly higher affinity for that target than the native ligand.  GlycoMimetics’ molecules have been shown to be potent inhibitors of E-selectin in both in vitro and in vivo assays.    As such, they represent a potential first-in-class set of compounds that could address major markets in chronic inflammation.  Possible targets for the company’s E-selectin antagonist candidates include vascular complications of diabetes such as retinopathy and nephropathy, as well as certain inflammatory skin diseases.


About GlycoMimetics, Inc.
GlycoMimetics is a privately held biotechnology company that capitalizes on advances in the field of glycobiology.  The company uses rational design of small molecule drugs that mimic the functions of bioactive carbohydrates to develop new drug candidates.  The company's initial focus is on therapeutics to treat inflammation, cancer, and infectious diseases.  For additional information, please visit the company's web site: http://www.glycomimetics.com.