Antisoma

to cause the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels to release
substances that may sensitise tumours to chemotherapeutic agents. The
product has already completed two Phase I studies where it was given by
itself. It is Antisoma`s intention to develop DMXAA in combination with
chemotherapy for a variety of different solid tumours.
Commenting on the results, Glyn Edwards, Chief Executive Officer of
Antisoma, said: "These highly encouraging results show that DMXAA has the
potential to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment when used in
combination with many of today`s chemotherapy regimes. We believe that
this drug may have a significant market potential in the treatment of a
wide variety of solid tumours."
Enquiries:
Antisoma plc
Glyn Edwards, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +44 (0)20 8799 8200
Financial Dynamics
Melanie Toyne-Sewell Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
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.
DMXAA
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. Phase I human clinical trials have
provided safety data and indicate that DMXAA causes a reduction in tumour
blood flow when used alone. In extensive studies in animal models, DMXAA
used in combination with a number of other anti-cancer agents ?
particularly taxanes ? has been found to control tumour growth. These
results have been submitted for peer reviewed publication. Antisoma intend
to test DMXAA in combination with chemotherapy.
Cancer Research Ventures (CRV)
DMXAA was in-licensed from Cancer Research Ventures Limited (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.