30th August 2001, London UK
Antisoma in-licenses DMXAA, a promising tumour blood vessel targeting agent in Phase I trials
Antisoma plc, the UK-based biopharmaceutical company developing novel targeted cancer therapies, today announces that it has in-licensed DMXAA, a vascular targeting agent, from Cancer Research Ventures Limited ("CRV"), a global cancer technology transfer company created by the Cancer Research Campaign ("CRC"). The product, which has already completed two Phase I studies, brings the number of products Antisoma has in clinical development to four.
Vascular targeting agents have significant potential to selectively restrict the blood flow to a tumour that would otherwise feed its growth. Additionally, DMXAA appears to cause the blood vessels to release substances such as tumour necrosis factor and interferons which may make the tumour more sensitive to other chemotherapeutic agents.
DMXAA was discovered by Professors Bruce Baguley and William Denny and their teams at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre ("ACSRC"), University of Auckland, New Zealand. In extensive pre-clinical studies carried out by the ACSRC, DMXAA, when used in combination with a number of other anti-cancer agents, particularly taxanes, was seen to control the growth of tumours in animal models and, in several cases, to eradicate them.
"It is still at an early stage, and we have a long way to go before we know what human tumours it may be most effective in, but the results so far have been very promising," Professor Baguley said. "A single dose of DMXAA in combination with another chemotherapeutic agent caused tumours to disappear at a rate we have not seen before."
Dose-ranging, Phase I clinical trials, sponsored by the CRC in the UK and in New Zealand, have provided safety data and indicate that DMXAA causes a reduction in tumour blood flow when used alone.
Glyn Edwards, Antisoma’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"This fascinating approach to tumour control further broadens our clinical pipeline. DMXAA has tremendous potential to treat established solid tumours, which comprise a major proportion of all diagnosed cancer. As a small molecule it further diversifies our portfolio. We hope to complete Phase I testing of DMXAA alone and start Phase Ib studies using DMXAA in combination with chemotherapy by the end of 2002."
CRV’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Guy Wood-Gush, added: "This deal is an excellent example of how CRV works with partners on a global basis. We have brought together a commercially experienced partner, Antisoma, and an important new drug discovered by scientists in New Zealand, supported by data from Phase I clinical trials run by the CRC. This clearly illustrates CRV's key role in the worldwide market for early stage cancer products and CRV’s strong growth prospects."
Antisoma acquired exclusive worldwide rights to DMXAA in exchange for an upfront consideration of £700,000 inclusive of an equity component, as well as future milestones and royalties.
-ENDS-
Enquiries:
Antisoma plc
Glyn Edwards, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +44 (0)20 8799 8200
Val Tate, Investor Relations
Financial Dynamics
Jonathan Birt/ Fiona Noblet Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
Cancer Research Ventures Ltd
Guy Wood-Gush, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +44 (0)20 7291 3600
Christine Stevens, Senior Business Manager
Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed in this statement are forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties may be associated with product discovery and development, including statements regarding the company's clinical development programmes, the expected timing of clinical trials and regulatory filings. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially.
Notes to Editors
Antisoma
Antisoma is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel products for the treatment of cancer. Using its drug development experience, the Company aims to produce safer and more effective tumour targeting therapies for commercialisation by pharmaceutical partners. Antisoma acquires the rights to promising new product candidates through partnerships with internationally recognised academic or cancer research institutions. These include the lead product candidate, pemtumomab, which was licensed from the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and is currently in a Phase III study as adjuvant treatment for ovarian cancer, with designated Orphan Drug status in the US and EU. There are three additional products in the clinical pipeline, Therex, DMXAA and TheraFab, and several pre-clinical programmes of which two, Angiomab and Thioplatin, are expected to enter clinical studies in 2002.
Visit www.antisoma.com for further information about Antisoma
Cancer Research Ventures (CRV)
CRV is a technology transfer and development company established by The Cancer Research Campaign in the UK to provide technology transfer services to cancer researchers on a worldwide basis. CRV, and its forerunner CRCT, have been providing these services to UK researchers since 1987 and have recently expanded the business into Europe and further afield through the affiliate company Biotech Research Ventures in Singapore. CRV has been instrumental in establishing a number of successful biotech companies in the UK.
The Cancer Research Campaign (CRC)
The Cancer Research Campaign is a leading UK charity, which funds research into all aspects of cancer. Its mission is to attack and defeat the disease of cancer in all its forms, to investigate its causes, distribution, pathology and treatment and to promote its cure. The Campaign aims to the survival and quality of life of cancer patients through the discovery and
development of new therapies and treatments.
Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre (ACSRC)
The Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre is part of the University of Auckland. DMXAA development was funded by the Auckland Division of the Cancer Society of New Zealand and the Health Research Council of New Zealand. Auckland UniServices Ltd (UniServices) is the commercial arm of the University of Auckland, responsible for the protection and commersialisation of technology developed by academic staff . Uniservices commissioned CRV to manage the commercialisation DMXAA.
5 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7EB, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 207 291 3600 Fax: +44 (0) 207 291 3601
www.CancerVentures.co.uk
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