| To: mark calgary who started this subject | 7/11/2000 7:51:14 AM | | From: Claude Robitaille | | | | (Applies to: AVII LORFF)
AVI BioPharma and Lorus Therapeutics Form Dynamic Antisense Research
Collaboration
PORTLAND, Ore., Jul 11, 2000 (BW HealthWire) --
Companies team up to develop novel drug treatments for cancer and
infectious diseases.
AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII)(Nasdaq:AVIIW)(Nasdaq:AVIIZ) announced today
that it has entered into a five-year agreement with Lorus Therapeutics Inc.
(TSE:LOR)(OTCBB:LORFF) of Toronto, Canada, to evaluate and co-develop antisense
drug therapies for cancer and infectious diseases.
Under the terms of the agreement, each company will retain an ownership interest
in any jointly developed compound, and drugs discovered together may also be
developed independently with royalty payments to the other party.
The scientific collaboration will capitalize on the companies' complementary
technologies and allows AVI and Lorus to identify new drug candidates to treat
cancer and infectious diseases through the sharing of intellectual property,
patented technologies and expertise.
AVI will contribute its NEUGENE(R)-based antisense backbone, noted for enhanced
potency, specificity, stability and low toxicity characteristics. For its part,
Lorus will make available a series of its proprietary cancer and infectious
disease targets and will spearhead the collaborative research program by
performing molecular, cell and animal biology experiments.
"We are enthusiastic about this joint initiative as both AVI and Lorus are
recognized leaders in the area of antisense technology," said Denis Burger
Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AVI. "This research collaboration
is exciting because it combines the unique expertise within AVI and Lorus to
provide new opportunities for developing novel drug therapies."
"This alliance between Lorus and AVI combines leading antisense platforms to
generate numerous drug candidates. The collaboration emphasizes Lorus' ongoing
commitment to secure opportunities that strengthen its product pipeline and
create additional value for the shareholders," said Philippe G. Lacaille,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lorus.
AVI entered into this agreement through Lorus' wholly owned subsidiary,
GeneSense Technologies Inc., whose lead antisense compounds include GTI-2040 and
GTI-2501. AVI's lead antisense drugs are Oncomyc-NG(TM) and Resten-NG(TM).
Oncomyc-NG, GTI-2040, and GTI-2501 have demonstrated significant anti-tumor
activity with different cancers in pre-clinical or early clinical testing.
Resten-NG has recently entered Phase II clinical trials for cardiovascular
restenosis.
AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of
life-threatening diseases using two technology platforms: cancer immunotherapy
and gene-targeted drugs. Its lead clinical agent, AVICINE(TM), is in a Phase II
trial in pancreatic cancer and will soon enter a Phase III pivotal trial in
colorectal cancer and a Phase II trial in prostate cancer. AVI has begun
clinical trials of Resten-NG in cardiovascular restenosis, the first application
of its novel third-generation NEUGENE antisense technology. Resten-NG is
designed to treat cancer, cardiovascular restenosis and other cell proliferation
disorders by inhibiting the production of a cellular transcription factor, the
oncogene c-myc. More information about AVI is available on the Company's website
at avibio.com.
Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of
cancer therapies. Lorus' goal is to capitalize on its research, pre-clinical,
clinical and regulatory expertise by developing new drug candidates that can be
used, either alone, or in combination, to successfully manage cancer. Through
its own discovery efforts and an active acquisition and in-licensing program,
Lorus is building a portfolio of promising anti-cancer drugs. Late-stage
clinical developments and marketing will be done in cooperation with strategic
pharmaceutical partners. Founded in 1986, Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is a public
company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LOR, and on the
NASDAQ OTC BB exchange under the symbol LORFF. Lorus Therapeutics Inc.'s press
releases are available on the Company's website at lorusthera.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. The statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but
not limited to, the results of research and development efforts, the results of
pre-clinical and clinical testing, the effect of regulation by the FDA and other
agencies, the impact of competitive products, product development,
commercialization and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in
the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
CONTACT: AVI BioPharma, Inc.
Denis R. Burger or Alan P. Timmins, 503/227-0554
or
Young & Roehr Group
Ellen Berg, 503/222-0626 Ext. 504
eberg@young-roehr.com
URL: businesswire.com
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KEYWORD: OREGON
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY
MEDICAL
PHARMACEUTICAL
MARKETING
AGREEMENTS |
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| To: Claude Robitaille who wrote (79) | 11/15/2000 6:24:46 PM | | From: Claude Robitaille | | | | Lorus receives excellent GTI-2501 results
Lorus Therapeutics Inc LOR
Shares issued 120,945,940 Nov 14 close $2.12
Wed 15 Nov 2000 News Release
Dr. Jim Wright reports
Lorus Therapeutics has reached another major milestone with the excellent
results of its lead anticancer drug GTI-2501 in preclinical toxicology
studies. These results allow the company to file for an investigational new
drug application (IND) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in
preparation to begin a phase I clinical trial in first quarter 2001.
Based on the latest findings, which showed that GTI-2501 was well tolerated
in studies using rodents and primates, researchers believe that GTI-2501
could be used safely in clinical trials with human patients, at
concentrations that exceed potential therapeutic doses.
In earlier announcements, Lorus reported that GTI-2501 exhibited remarkable
antitumour properties when tested in standard mouse models with a variety
of different human cancer lines, such as tumours derived from the colon,
breast, lung, kidney, ovary, skin and pancreas. The most dramatic results
revealed complete tumour regressions in all mouse models with human tumours
derived from kidney and breast cancers. And, following the tumour
regression there was no tumour regrowth even after the treatment was
stopped.
These exceptional findings led to the issue of a key U.S. patent in June,
2000, that specifically protects GTI-2501 technology
"The outstanding antitumour activity of GTI-2501 in preclinical tests and
the positive toxicology results recently obtained have triggered the
decision by Lorus to begin manufacturing the quantities of GTI-2501
required to start the clinical trial program as soon as possible," said Dr.
Jim A. Wright, president and chief scientific officer of Lorus. "GTI-2501
has demonstrated significant progress in a relatively short period of time.
These successful findings further our strategy of achieving a minimum of
five different clinical trials with three different technologies within the
year. This clinical progress adds significant value to our product
pipeline."
Dr. Richard Schilsky of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Centre
will conduct the phase I clinical trial. Dr. Schilsky is internationally
recognized as a leading clinical investigator in oncology and is also the
principle investigator in the successful clinical trial of Lorus's
GTI-2040. Last month Lorus announced that GTI-2040 will advance to the
phase II clinical trial program, and Dr. Wright, presented the excellent
preclinical and interim clinical results of GTI-2040 at the Fifth World
Congress on Advances in Oncology and the Third International Symposium on
Molecular Medicine.
WARNING: The company relies upon litigation protection for
"forward-looking" statements.
(c) Copyright 2000 Canjex Publishing Ltd. stockwatch.com |
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| To: thebeach who wrote (81) | 1/19/2001 10:01:51 AM | | From: Natedog | | | | I love it when the old leave and they bring in fresh meat. This means they are ready to take it to the next level.wiczked!~
Lorus Therapeutics Inc - News Release
Lorus appoints Campbell as interim chairman
Lorus Therapeutics Inc LOR
Shares issued 120,945,940 2001-01-18 close $1.84
Friday Jan 19 2001 News Release
Dr. Jim Wright reports
Peter J. Campbell, former president of Connaught Laboratories Limited and a long-time member of Lorus's board of directors, has been appointed interim chairman of the board. Mr. Campbell replaces Philippe G. Lacaille, who announced his intention to resign his positions as Lorus' chief executive officer, chairman of the board and board member at the company's annual general meeting in November, 2000.
Dr. Jim A. Wright, president of Lorus, will continue to lead the Lorus management team in day-to-day operations while sustaining progress on strategic objectives and milestones. The review process for a new chief executive officer is underway and is progressing well.
Mr. Lacaille's decision to resign from Lorus at this time reflects his confidence in the company and his desire to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Lacaille will continue to contribute to the company in an advisory capacity.
Lorus, with a strong cash position of $52-million, expects to have at least five clinical trials underway in 2001 and will be in a position to take advantage of its exceptional product pipeline in discussions with potential partners and collaborators.
The following is a brief overview of the status of three of the company's lead drugs:
Virulizin:
Virulizin for the treatment of pancreatic cancer will enter phase III clinical trial in midyear 2001.
On Jan. 9, 2001, Lorus announced positive preclinical findings for Virulizin in the treatment of human breast cancer tumours in mouse models.
GTI-2040:
GTI-2040 is presently in a phase I clinical trial and will enter multiple phase II clinical trials in second quarter 2001.
GTI-2501:
Toxicology studies with GTI-2501 have been successful and the drug will enter phase I clinical trial in first quarter 2001.
WARNING: The company relies upon litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements.
(c) Copyright 2001 Canjex Publishing Ltd. canada-stockwatch.com
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| To: Natedog who wrote (82) | 2/19/2001 10:26:59 AM | | From: Claude Robitaille | | | | Lorus adopts benefits from Virulizin orphan status
Lorus Therapeutics Inc LOR
Shares issued 120,945,940 Feb 16 close $2.01
Mon 19 Feb 2001 News Release
Dr. Jim Wright reports
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug status to
Lorus Therapeutics' anti-cancer drug Virulizin in the treatment of
pancreatic cancer.
The FDA awards orphan status to drugs used in the treatment of diseases
that afflict less than 200,000 patients annually in the United States to
encourage research and testing. For Lorus, receiving orphan status for
Virulizin in the treatment of pancreatic cancer means that the FDA will
help to facilitate the drug's development process by providing financial
incentives and granting seven years of market exclusivity in the United
States (independent of patent protection) upon approval of the drug in the
United States.
Virulizin is a non-toxic immunotherapy that recruits killer cells,
monocytes and macrophages, to attack tumor cells. The compound is in
development as second line therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer patients
who are refractory or intolerant to conventional first line therapies.
Based on encouraging findings from a meta-analysis of three phase I/II
studies for Virulizin in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, Lorus is
planning a pivotal phase III clinical trial for Virulizin in North America
this year.
"We are extremely encouraged that the FDA has chosen to grant orphan status
to Virulizin, as this designation represents another significant step
toward the use of this promising drug to treat patients suffering from the
devastating effects of pancreatic cancer," said Dr. Jim A. Wright,
president, Lorus.
Dr. Wright added: "In addition to the benefits of financial incentives and
marketing exclusivity, the FDA appointed orphan status may also help Lorus
accelerate regulatory filings in countries outside the U.S., and will serve
to further our discussions with appropriate pharmaceutical partners."
In preclinical and/or clinical studies, Virulizin has proven to be a safe
and effective drug capable of anti-tumor activity in a range of cancer
types, such as pancreatic cancer, malignant melanoma and breast cancer.
WARNING: The company relies upon litigation protection for
"forward-looking" statements.
(c) Copyright 2001 Canjex Publishing Ltd. stockwatch.com |
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