Oxis Biotech Discusses Its Immunotherapeutic Development Strategy

TAMPA, Fla., April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Oxis Biotech, Inc. (OXIS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxis International, Inc. [OTC: OXIS] discussed during its March 31, 2015 conference call with shareholders, analysts and other interested parties certain aspects of its immunotherapeutic development strategy.  During the teleconference, Anthony J. Cataldo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated that Oxis Biotech is focused on developing immunotherapies for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, and multiple myeloma and associated osteolytic lesions which are significant unmet medical needs. 

Oxis Biotech is pursing the development of targeted immunotherapies with its partner, MultiCell Immunotherapeutics (MCIT).  MCIT's proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform technology is based on unique multivalent, cleavable linkers that allow tethered drugs to be released intracellularly or extracellularly upon binding of the antibody to the target cell.  Additionally, the MCIT linkers are designed to attach multiple drugs per targeting antibody, and to release the drugs in their original form without modification of the drug.  An example of an FDA-approved ADC is Seattle Genetics' ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).

In additional to developing traditional ADCs, Oxis Biotech is also developing bispecific immune cell engagers, a class of monoclonal antibodies that direct a person's immune system to attack cancer cells.  More specifically, bispecific immune cell engagers consist of the part of the monoclonal antibody which recognizes an immune cell such as a cytotoxic T-cell, and the part of a different monoclonal antibody which recognizes the cancer cell.  When administered as a therapeutic, the bispecific immune cell engager brings cytotoxic T-cells in contact with the target cancer cell where the cytotoxic T-cell kills the cancer cell.  An example of a bispecific immune cell engager is Amgen's recent FDA-approved drug BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab) for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

More information about the teleconference can be found on Oxis' web site at:  www.oxis.com.

About Oxis Biotech, Inc.

Oxis Biotech develops innovative drugs focused on the treatment of cancer and other unmet medical needs.  OXIS' lead drug candidate, OXS-2175, is a small molecule therapeutic candidate targeting the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.  In in vitro and in vivo models of TNBC, OXS-2175 demonstrated the ability to inhibit metastasis.  OXIS' lead drug candidate, OXS-4235, also a small molecule therapeutic candidate targets the treatment of multiple myeloma and associated osteolytic lesions.  In in vitro and in vivo models of multiple myeloma and osteoporosis, OXS-4235 demonstrated the ability to kill multiple myeloma cells, and decrease osteolytic lesions in bone.  OXS-2175 and OXS-4235 are also being developed as antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of TNBC and multiple myeloma, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently unreliable and actual results may differ materially.  Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the payment of dividends, marketing and distribution plans, development activities and anticipated operating results.  Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include such factors as the Company's ability to accomplish its business initiatives, significant fluctuations in marketing expenses and ability to achieve and expand significant levels of revenues, or recognize net income, from the sale of its products and services, as well as the introduction of competing products, or management's ability to attract and maintain qualified personnel necessary for the development and commercialization of its planned products, and other information that may be detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact
Jonathon Barkman
Riverview Capital Enterprises
866-845-0105

BLINCYTO® is a registered trademark of Amgen, Inc.  ADCETRIS® is a registered trademark of Seattle Genetics, Inc.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oxis-biotech-discusses-its-immunotherapeutic-development-strategy-300059108.html

SOURCE Oxis International, Inc.