S1P1 Lead Compounds, Assets Generated by Epix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Amgen, Will Be Offered for Sale at a December 8, 2011 Sealed Bid Sale. Target Rationale for S1P1 Agonists Explained.

WELLESLEY HILLS, Massachusetts, November 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Joseph F. Finn, Jr., C.P.A. ("Finn") Assignee for the Benefit of Creditors of Epix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Epix") announced today that the S1P1 lead compounds, assets generated by Epix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Amgen, will be offered December 8, 2011 in a sealed bid sale.  Target rationale for S1P1 agonists explained.

The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) is one of a family of five G-protein-coupled receptors and is expressed ubiquitously.  Its ligand, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is present at high levels in the blood and lymph but at much lower levels in secondary lymph organs: movement in response to this gradient is believed to be a critical factor in the egress of activated lymphocytes from the lymph node and spleen.  Therefore, the receptor has received considerable attention as a potentially important target for therapeutic intervention.  Seminal studies with fingolimod have provided much of the validation of S1P1 as a therapeutic target in autoimmunity and inflammation.  

Assets included in the sale include preclinical and toxicology data related to AMG 277, AMG 369 and six backup compounds, existing inventory of these compounds (API), and related patent portfolio.

Persons interested in bidding must sign a Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement ("CDA") obtained from Finn's office - jffinnjr@finnwarnkegayton.com or +1-781-237-8840; upon receipt of the executed CDA, applicants will receive a bid package, to be completed and returned by December 8, 2011.

About Joseph F. Finn, Jr., C.P.A.

Joseph F. Finn, Jr., C.P.A. is the founding partner of the firm, Finn, Warnke & Gayton, Certified Public Accountants of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts.  He works primarily in the area of management consulting for distressed enterprises, bankruptcy accounting and related matters, such as assignee for the benefit of creditors and liquidating agent for a corporation.  His most recent Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors in the biotech filed include Spherics, Inc., ActivBiotics, Inc., Prospect Therapeutics, Inc. and Source MDx.

For further information, please contact Joseph F. Finn, Jr., C.P.A. at +1-781-237-8840 or jffinnjr@finnwarnkegayton.com