TORONTO, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - ARIUS Research Inc., , a biotechnology company discovering and developing the next wave of antibody therapeutics, today announced that new findings have been presented from its Trop-2 and CD59 antibody programs. ARIUS scientists will discuss the Company's Trop-2 and CD59 abstracts at the AACR press conference today at 9:30 a.m. PT.
"Both our Trop-2 and CD59 antibody programs have demonstrated novel approaches in treating cancer. Our Trop-2 antibody is a novel target and has been linked to aggressive cancers in the scientific literature, while our CD59 program has demonstrated the ability to foil a cancer cell's ability to evade the immune system," said Dr. David Young, President and CEO. "These programs, in addition to our CD44 cancer stem cell program, were generated through our proprietary drug discovery technology, FunctionFIRST(TM), which is inherently designed to produce novel antibodies and identify unique cancer targets."
Trop-2 Proffered Paper Presentation
ARIUS' Trop-2 targeting antibody has demonstrated a significant anti-tumor effect in animal models of human pancreatic cancer, inhibiting tumor growth by up to 100 percent. Subsequent testing showed efficacy in animal models of breast, colon and prostate cancers. The antibody compared favorably with Taxotere in prostate cancer model and has also shown the ability to be highly potent at low-dose concentrations.
Additional information can be found at the AACR-NCI-EORTC 2007 International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in San Francisco at the following location and time: AR47A6.4.2, a functional naked monoclonal antibody targeting Trop-2, demonstrates in vivo efficacy in human pancreatic, colon, breast and prostate cancer models. Proffered Paper Session 3, Thursday, October 25, 2007 from 5:15 - 5:30 p.m. in the Third Floor Ballroom at Moscone Center.
CD59 Poster Presentation
ARIUS has demonstrated that CD59 is commonly used to protect cancer cells from being destroyed. Our CD59 targeting antibody provides a novel approach to "de-cloak" cancers. The CD59 targeting antibody activates complement activity against cancer cells and inhibits tumor growth in animal models of breast, colon, lung and prostate. In animal models of breast cancer, tumor growth was inhibited by up to 100 percent. In particular, the potent effect was observed in breast cancer models that represent a patient population that cannot be treated by Herceptin, the only therapeutic antibody currently approved for breast cancer treatment.
ARIUS' CD59 poster was presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC 2007 International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in San Francisco on Tuesday October 23, 2007 and is entitled "AR36A36.11.1, a monoclonal antibody targeting CD59, enhances complement activity and exhibits potent in vivo efficacy in multiple human cancer models."
ARIUS scientists Dr. Amandine Truong, Ph.D. and Dr. Baldwin Mak, Ph.D. will discuss the Company's findings for the aforementioned two abstracts at the AACR press conference on Thursday, October 25th at 9:30 a.m. PT.
About ARIUS
ARIUS is a biotechnology company discovering and developing the next wave of antibody therapeutics. Established in 1999, ARIUS has built a proprietary technology platform, FunctionFIRST(TM), that rapidly identifies and selects antibodies based on their functional ability to affect disease. This antibody generation engine has enabled ARIUS to assemble a portfolio of more than 400 antibody candidates. In addition to the antibodies it is developing in-house, ARIUS has ongoing partnerships with key biotechnology and drug development companies. ARIUS is listed on the TSX under the symbol "ARI". For further information, visit www.ariusresearch.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, ARIUS successfully advancing its new product programs as well as licensing opportunities. These statements are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. Factors that could cause such actual events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such statements include, but are not limited to: early stage of development; technology and product development; dependence on and management of current and future corporate collaborations; future capital needs; uncertainty of additional funding; no assurance of market acceptance; dependence on proprietary technology and uncertainty of patent protection; intense competition; manufacturing and market uncertainties; and government regulation. These and other factors are described in detail in ARIUS' Annual Report, forthcoming news releases and other filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and ARIUS is not obligated to update such information to reflect later events or developments.
The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this statement.
CONTACT: Warren Whitehead, C.M.A., Chief Financial Officer, ARIUS Research
Inc., (416) 862-2323 ext. 214, wwhitehead@ariusresearch.com,
contact@ariusresearch.com; James Smith, Investor Relations, (416) 815-0700
ext. 229, jsmith@equicomgroup.com
