| To: Claude Robitaille who wrote (75) | 5/19/2000 12:02:00 AM | | From: Claude Robitaille | | | |
Lorus selects NC 381 for clinical development
Lorus Therapeutics Inc LOR
Shares issued 78,751,668 May 17 close $2.49
Thu 18 May 2000 News Release
Ms. Mimi Choi reports
Lorus Therapeutics, through its 80-per-cent-owned subsidiary, NuChem
Pharmaceuticals Inc., has chosen NC 381 as its lead anticancer drug for
further studies in preparation for clinical trials.
From a library of several hundred compounds investigated at the Harvard
Medical School and in-licensed to Lorus through its subsidiary, three
potential lead anticancer compounds were chosen for further detailed
investigations to determine the most effective anticancer compound in
preclinical studies including animal tumour models.
In studies with more than 300 mice containing different tumours, NC 381
treatment was found to significantly reduce the growth of a variety of
cancers, including tumours derived from human large cell lung carcinoma,
human pancreatic carcinoma, human kidney carcinoma and mouse fibrosarcoma.
NC 381 also significantly inhibited the metastasis of malignant melanoma
cells (that is the spread of tumour cells to other organs in the body).
"Death from cancer is usually due to the spread (metastasis) of cancer
cells from the primary or original site to other organs in the body, so it
is vital that we develop new drugs that have antimetastatic properties like
those found with NC 381," said Philippe G. Lacaille, chairman and chief
executive officer of Lorus Therapeutics Inc. "The finding that NC 381 can
be taken orally, for example, in pill form, is significant because it means
the drug can enter the body in a less invasive way than most
chemotherapeutic drugs and potentially improve the quality of life for
patients."
Preliminary toxicology studies have shown a very good safety profile for NC
381. Formal preclinical toxicology studies will begin in June, 2000, and it
is anticipated that an investigational new drug (IND) application will be
submitted for clinical trial approval by early next year.
NC 381 was originally designed as an analog or chemical variation of a
well-known antifungal agent, clotrimazole. In past studies, the drug
revealed an unique dual mode of antitumour action, stopping cancer cells
from dividing (antiproliferative) as well as preventing the formation of
blood vessels (antiangiogenic) required for tumour development.
WARNING: The company relies on litigation protection for "forward-looking"
statements.
(c) Copyright 2000 Canjex Publishing Ltd. canada-stockwatch.com |
| | Lorus Therapeutics LORFF LOR | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last ReadRead Replies (1) |
|
| To: Claude Robitaille who wrote (76) | 6/13/2000 7:49:00 AM | | From: Claude Robitaille | | | |
Lorus patent allowed by U.S. Patent Office
Lorus Therapeutics Inc LOR
Shares issued 120,945,940 Jun 12 close $3.30
Tue 13 Jun 2000 News Release
Mr. Philippe Lacaille reports
A patent was allowed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to
specifically protect GTI-2501, one of Lorus's lead anticancer drugs.
The patent ("Antitumour Antisense Sequences Directed Against R1 and R2
Components of Ribonucleotide Reductase") was allowed based on the unique
antitumour activity of GTI-2501, which is directly related to the positive
findings of tumour regression in mouse models with human tumours derived
from breast and kidney cancers.
The allowed patent gives Lorus strong protection for the unique composition
of GTI-2501, safeguards Lorus's interests in the anticancer drug GTI-2040,
which is currently in a Phase I/II clinical trial, and insulates Lorus'
technology on the design and use of unique antisense, anticancer drugs that
target the expression of two genes that play critical roles in the
development of cancer.
"This patent acknowledges the outstanding activity of GTI-2501, which
entered into toxicity studies earlier this month. The toxicity studies are
expected to be completed by the end of the year and represent the
achievement of another company milestone," said Philippe G. Lacaille, chair
and chief executive officer. "Upon completion of the toxicity studies, we
expect to file an investigational new drug (IND) submission with the Food
and Drug Administration and then proceed to clinical trials."
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 an active acquisition and in-licensing
program, Lorus is building a portfolio of promising anticancer drugs.
Late-stage clinical developments and marketing will be done in cooperation
with strategic pharmaceutical partners. Founded in 1986, Lorus 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.
(c) Copyright 2000 Canjex Publishing Ltd. canada-stockwatch.com |
| | Lorus Therapeutics LORFF LOR | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last ReadRead Replies (1) |
|
| To: Claude Robitaille who wrote (77) | 6/26/2000 9:20:00 AM | | From: Claude Robitaille | | | |
Lorus moving into pivotal phase three trials
Lorus Therapeutics Inc LOR
Shares issued 120,945,940 Jun 23 close $3.15
Mon 26 Jun 2000 News Release
Ms. Jody Bullen reports
Lorus Therapeutics has completed meta-analysis of three phase one and two
studies of Virulizin. The studies showed that the drug demonstrated
clinical activity (such as increasing survival rate and preserving quality
of life) and was well tolerated by patients. Based on these encouraging
findings, Lorus plans to file an investigational new drug application (IND)
later in the year in preparation for a pivotal phase three clinical trial.
Dr. Benny Zee, senior biostatistician at the National Cancer Institute of
Canada, conducted the meta-analysis of results obtained with patients with
advanced pancreatic cancer and found that the number of adverse effects of
Virulizin were low for all three studies. He also found that the survival
results of Virulizin were superior to those found in a comparable study
using gemcitabine, the standard anticancer treatment for pancreatic cancer,
and as well as other benchmark findings.
"In the most conservative estimate of survival, the results of the
Virulizin study were better than a similar patient population receiving
gemcitabine in a phase two study setting as reported by Rothenberg in
1996," said Mr. Zee. "The survival experience of the Virulizin patients was
also significantly better than that of the 5-FU arm of the Burris phase
three study (1997) with respect to nine-month survival rates."
"By pursuing phase three trials independently for Virulizin, Lorus will
provide shareholders with the greatest value as the product is moved closer
to market. Lorus is well positioned to move forward with Virulizin, we have
the results, resources, knowledge and infrastructure to proceed," said
Philippe G. Lacaille, chairman and chief executive officer of Lorus. "
Virulizin's meta-analysis results combined with the evidence obtained from
previous studies have led to our decision to begin a phase three clinical
trial for Virulizin, confirming our belief that it will be an effective
therapy and important treatment of pancreatic cancer in the future."
Sixty-one patients were included in this analysis, with 49 classified as
evaluable. The majority of these patients (87 per cent) had received some
form of treatment prior to entering these studies: 46 per cent receiving
gemcitabine, 5-FU or other chemotherapeutic agents and 84 per cent had
prior surgery. There was no difference in survival between patients who had
or had no prior chemotherapy, but those who did not receive prior surgery
had worse prognosis as compared to those who had prior surgery.
Among the 61 eligible patients treated with Virulizin, the median survival
rate was 4.6 months. The six-month survival rate was 38 per cent and the
nine-month survival rate was 25 per cent. In terms of evaluable patients
(49 patients) the median survival rate was 5.7 months (95 per cent C.I.
from 4.6 months to 8.0 months) with six-month and nine-month survival rates
of 48 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively.
This result is better when compared with that of 63 patients who received
gemcitabine as second line therapy after they had failed 5-FU as
chemotherapy (Rothenberg et al.). The median survival in the Rothenberg
study was approximately 3.8 months, with a six-month survival rate of 31
per cent and a nine-month survival of 15 per cent.
(c) Copyright 2000 Canjex Publishing Ltd. canada-stockwatch.com |
| | Lorus Therapeutics LORFF LOR | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last Read |
|
| 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
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
Copyright (C) 2000 Business Wire. All rights reserved.
Distributed via COMTEX.
-0-
KEYWORD: OREGON
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY
MEDICAL
PHARMACEUTICAL
MARKETING
AGREEMENTS |
| | Lorus Therapeutics LORFF LOR | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last ReadRead Replies (1) |
|
| 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 |
| | Lorus Therapeutics LORFF LOR | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last ReadRead Replies (1) |
|
| 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
old url (better for printing) |
| | Lorus Therapeutics LORFF LOR | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last ReadRead Replies (1) |
|
| 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 |
| | Lorus Therapeutics LORFF LOR | Stock Discussion ForumsShare | RecommendKeepReplyMark as Last ReadRead Replies (1) |
|
| |
