Northern California Pharmaceutical Discussion Group

We now have a Web Page at www.ncpdg.org with abstracts of our previous programs, and program and background information about the NCPDG.

Eric R. Schuur, Ph.D.
Northern California Pharmaceutical Discussion Group
P.O. Box 71274, Oakland, CA 94612-1274
phone: 919.653.7047
fax: 919.653.7070
ncpdg@aol.com

1998-1999 NCPDG Directories Are Now Available

The directory contains contact information for over 2500 individuals & 1100 organizations and has sections alphabetized by each category.

The 1998-1999 Directories are $20.00 if purchased at the monthly program. The cost of the directory can be added to your payment for the program. The 1998-1999 Directories are $25.00 if purchased by mail. Please send a check for that amount to the mailing address for the NCPDG and a 1998-1999 Directory will be mailed to you. All mail orders must be prepaid. We are unable to accept purchases orders or invoices. You can pay for the directory with a credit card only at the monthly programs.

Upcoming Event:

Date: Wednesday, March 15, 2000

Speaker: Laura K. Shawver, Ph.D.
Senior. Vice President
Preclinical and Pharmaceutical Development
SUGEN, Inc.

Topic: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors as Anti-Angiogenic Agents
Preclinical & Clinical Experiences with SU5416 & SU6668

Location: The Clarion Hotel
401 East Millbrae Avenue
Millbrae, CA 94030
650-692-6363

There is a link on our web page (www.ncpdg.org) that will connect to a site that has a map and directions to the Clarion Hotel

Time: 6:00 PM Cocktails
7:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Presentation

Inhibition of kinases involved in signal transduction as a mechanism to treat cancer was proposed over fifteen years ago, and has been validated by approval of Herceptin®, a monoclonal antibody against the receptor tyrosine kinase, Her2. Small molecule inhibitors of tyrosine kinase have been studied, but their toxicity and lack of specificity limited their promise. However, several specific, ATP-competitive inhibitors are more promising, and have been in clinical trials for the past several years. The role of kinases in angiogenesis has been clearly demonstrated with the demonstration that Flk-1 was the receptor for VEGF. A number of kinase inhibitors are being tested as anti-cancer agents. SU5416 was the first anti-angiogenic kinase inhibitor to enter clinical development in 1997. It is a specific VEGF receptor inhibitor with potent effects on VEGF-stimulated receptor phosphorylation, endothelial cell proliferation, tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth in animals. SU5416 is now in Phase III trials for colorectal cancer and Phase II studies in AIDS related Karposi's sarcoma. It was postulated that a kinase inhibitor with a broader target profile might impact a range of tumor types. Therefore, a kinase inhibitor that had effects on the VEGF, FGF and PDGF receptors was sought. SU6668 inhibits a broad range of tumor types in many in vivo models. Rapid changes in tumor micro vessel density were also evident. Analysis of changes in gene expression has yielded some insights into the consequences of SU6668 treatment.

Dr. Shawver received her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Iowa in 1983. Following a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia Cancer Center, she moved to the Jewish Hospital at Washington University in St. Louis in the Department of Hematology and Oncology with a joint appointment in the Biological Chemistry Department at Washington University. In 1989, Dr. Shawver joined Triton Biosciences and she joined SUGEN in 1992 as Director of Preclinical Development. Currently, Dr. Shawver is Senior Vice President of Preclinical and Pharmaceutical Development. Her research interests for the past 17 years have focused on oncogenes, growth factors, and signal transduction pathways and the development of drugs that target these molecules for the treatment of serious diseases. At SUGEN, Dr. Shawver manages the research and development of lead drug candidates from pre-IND through NDA. Areas of responsibility include preclinical development, pharmacology and toxicology and chemical and pharmaceutical development. SUGEN, Inc., founded in 1991, is a molecular biology-based pharmaceutical company focusing on the development of small molecule drugs targeting tyrosine kinases, tyrosine phosphatases and their signalling pathways.

You can email your reservation for this program or your address change from the response form on the NCPDG web page (www.ncpdg.org). Our email addresses are rsvp@ncpdg.org and ncpdg@aol.com

You may also fax your reservation to 415-381-6994. Please print clearly & include your current email address. We can confirm your reservation status only through email.

The Registration Fee is $40 for Reservations made before 5:00 PM Monday, March 13th.

The Registration Fee is $45 for Reservations made after 5:00 PM on the Monday, March 13th or for walk-ins to the meeting.

All Reservations must be received no later than 5:00 PM Monday, March 13th in order to have a preprinted badge and receipt at the registration desk and to be on the list of attendees available at the evening of the program.

Cancellation: Please notify us by phone or fax no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, March 13th. After this deadline, if you have reserved a space, you will be invoiced for the full amount whether you attend the meeting or not.

Check the web page at www.ncpdg.org for other information.

Registration Fee:
$40 includes dinner & presentation
$45 after 5 PM, Monday, September 13th
$45 at the door
$20 for students (with student ID)
$25 for students after 5 PM, Monday, September 13th
$25 for students at the door
NCPDG now accepts VISA, MC & AMEX as payment at the meeting
NCPDG now accepts VISA, MC & AMEX as payment at the meeting

______ Reservation only
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______ Address Change
______ Address Addition
______ Note to NCPDG

Name : _____________________________________________

Organization : ________________________________________

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City : _______________________________________________

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Fax : _______________________________________________

E Mail : _____________________________________________

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