Helix Biopharma Establishes Polish Subsidiary

AURORA, ON--(Marketwired - August 28, 2013) - Helix BioPharma Corp. (“Helix”) (TSX: HBP) (FRANKFURT: HBP), a biopharmaceutical company developing drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of cancer, today announced that it has established a Polish subsidiary (“Helix Polska”). Helix Polska was established to facilitate and support ongoing clinical oncology research at leading research institutions in Poland.

“Establishing Helix Polska further strengthens Canadian-Polish relationships and scientific collaboration, which commenced in 2005 when Polish investors first became shareholders of Helix”, said Robert Verhagen, Chief Executive Officer of Helix. “We recognize that our relationship with the various leading Polish institutions is important to our success, and Helix Polska will allow us to more effectively communicate and interact with these groups”.

Helix is actively developing innovative products for the treatment and prevention of cancer based on its proprietary technologies. Helix’s product development initiatives are focused primarily on its novel L-DOS47 and Topical Interferon Alpha-2b new drug candidates.

Helix is currently conducting a European Phase I/II clinical study in Poland with L-DOS47 in patients with inoperable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic, non-squamous stage non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”). The study is being conducted at four Polish centers, with oversight from Helix’s European medical director, Prof. Kazimierz Roszkowski-Śliża, PhD and under the direction of Prof. Maciej Krzakowski, MD, PhD at The Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre & Institute of Oncology as the overall coordinating investigator, together with three other principal investigators: Prof. Cezary Szczylik, MD, PhD at the Military Medical Institute, Prof. Elzbieta Wiatr, MD, PhD at the National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute and Dr. Aleksandra Szczensa, MD, PhD at the Mazovian Center of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis in Otwock.

Topical Interferon Alpha-2b is a developmental product candidate for the treatment of certain skin/mucosal lesions caused by human papilloma virus (“HPV”), based on the Company’s proprietary Biphasix™ technology. To date, the Company has completed three Phase II clinical studies with Topical Interferon Alpha-2b; two in patients with HPV-positive, low-grade cervical dysplasia and one in patients with HPV-positive ano-genital warts. Of these two therapeutic indications, efficacy was demonstrated only against low-grade cervical dysplasia, for which the Company obtained regulatory approvals to conduct more advanced, pivotal efficacy trials. Helix has now limited ongoing activities of its Topical Interferon Alpha-2b program to sourcing and qualifying alternative interferon alpha-2b raw material samples, and finding suitable strategic partner(s) who would be willing to license or acquire the product and support the remaining development costs through to commercial launch.

This release is being issued to correct information which appeared in a press release issued by Point of View S.p. Z.o.o on August 27, 2013.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risks and Uncertainties
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words including, without limitation, “will” and other similar expressions, are intended to provide information about management’s current plans and expectations regarding future operations.

Although Helix believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated and no assurance can be given that these expectations will be realized, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those described in Helix’s Annual Information Form, including under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”, filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com (together, the “Helix Risk Factors”). Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the Helix Risk Factors will not cause Helix’s actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements and information are based on the beliefs, assumptions and expectations of Helix’s management on the date of this news release, and Helix does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or information should those beliefs, assumptions or expectations, or other circumstances change, except as required by law.