BASEL, SWITZERLAND--(Marketwire - November 06, 2012) - Basilea Pharmaceutica AG / Basilea's novel oncology drug candidate BAL101553: data presented at international conference demonstrate dual mode of action. Processed and transmitted by Thomson Reuters ONE. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) reported today that new research data on its innovative anti-cancer drug BAL101553 are being presented at the 24(th) Symposium on "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics" taking place in Dublin, Ireland, from November 6 to 9, 2012, hosted by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

BAL101553, a highly soluble prodrug of Basilea's BAL27862, is a novel small molecule agent targeting microtubules, the intracellular structural network essential for cell division. BAL27862 has demonstrated broad anti-cancer activity in preclinical models of human cancer resistant to conventional microtubule-targeting drugs such as taxanes or vinca alkaloids. BAL101553 has potential for both intravenous and oral administration. The injectable form is currently being tested in a phase I study in patients with advanced solid tumors.

BAL101553 has a dual mechanism of action (poster/abstract #421) with direct activity against drug-resistant cancer cells and a pronounced effect on eliminating tumor blood supply. In animal models, short-term treatment of tumors led to a dramatic reduction in tumor cell growth and viability, associated with almost complete eradication of functional tumor blood vessels. Importantly, blood vessel function in normal tissue was not affected. Vascular disruption activity was also shown in an in vitro model that mimics capillary formation.

Further data supporting the unique anti-cancer profile and mode of action of this novel agent were generated in collaboration with the group of Diane Braguer of the Aix-Marseille University, France. Details of distinct effects on microtubule biology are presented (poster/abstract #422). These show that BAL27862 blocks tumor cell division by altering microtubule dynamics in a unique way as compared to conventional microtubule-targeting agents.

Dr. Laurenz Kellenberger, Basilea's Chief Scientific Officer, commented: "Resistance against established drugs is a major challenge in cancer therapy and necessitates the development of new oncology drugs with novel mechanisms of action to overcome such resistance. The dual mode of action of BAL101553, attacking tumor cells that are resistant to other agents as well as disrupting blood vessels of the tumor underlines its promising profile as a potential new agent for the treatment of refractory human cancers."

+--------------------------------------------------------------+
|Posters on BAL101553/BAL27862                                 |
|to be presented in poster session "Tubulin-Interacting Agents"|
|on November 8, 2012                                           |
|                                                              |
|Dual mechanism of action of the novel microtubule-targeting   |
|drug BAL27862 (active moiety of the prodrug BAL101553):       |
|targeting tumor and vascular cells - F. Bachmann, H.A. Lane;  |
|poster #421                                                   |
|                                                              |
|Antitumor activity of BAL27862 (active moiety of the prodrug  |
|BAL101553) is associated with the generation of short         |
|non-centrosomal microtubules - A. Rovini, S. Honoré, N.       |
|McKay, F. Bachmann, H.A. Lane, D. Braguer; poster #422        |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+

For further information please visit www.ecco-org.eu/ENA.

About Basilea

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Through the fully integrated research and development operations of its Swiss subsidiary Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. ("Basilea") the company focuses on innovative pharmaceutical products in the therapeutic areas of bacterial infections, fungal infections and oncology, targeting the medical challenge of rising resistance and non-response to current treatment options.

Disclaimer

This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com.

Press release (PDF): http://hugin.info/134390/R/1655161/534808.pdf

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Source: Basilea Pharmaceutica AG via Thomson Reuters ONE

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