BioAlliance Pharma's New Entity, AMEP, Shows Anti-angiogenic and Antiproliferative Activity In Vitro and In Vivo
BioAlliance Pharma presents research results for a new cancer therapy agent at the 15th congress of the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, Rotterdam, October 27-30
PARIS, October 29, 2007 - BioAlliance Pharma SA (Euronext Paris - Code Isin: FR0010095596 -BIO), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and marketing of innovative therapeutics targeting cancer, HIV, opportunistic infections and drug resistance, today announced the first promising in vivo and in vitro results for its plasmid AMEP. The anti-angiogenic and antiproliferative properties of this innovative product (BA 015 program) were presented at the 15th congress of the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ESGCT), Rotterdam (Netherlands), October 27-30.
Alongside its drug delivery program, where it already has its first product on the market, BioAlliance Pharma has also invested in a program to identify and develop new therapeutic targets in the field of oncology, especially those involved in resistance and tumoral invasion. Its new drug candidate, AMEP or plasmid AMEP, which codes for an anti-invasive peptide, is the first result of this program.
AMEP binds to cellular receptors, integrins, which are present on the endothelial cells of neovessels and on some tumoral cells. Its targets are two major integrins, anb3 (alpha-v-beta-3) and a5b1 (alpha-5-beta-1), involved in angiogenic and metastatic processes.
The in vitro research results presented at ESCGT show that AMEP inhibits both proliferation and invasion of endothelial cells that cause the formation of neovessels. It also inhibits the proliferation and migration of human melanoma cells.
The in vivo research results were achieved with the AMEP plasmid on an invasive melanoma model using intratumoral electrotransfer. The effect of a single dose gives more than 80 per cent inhibition of tumoral growth. With repeated doses, there is a 97 per cent inhibition of tumoral growth and in 40 per cent of cases complete and lasting (more than 80 days) regression of the tumors.
"These results are extremely promising for the treatment of invasive melanoma, which is today one of the more aggressive and difficult to treat cancers," said Dominique Costantini, CEO at BioAlliance Pharma. "On the basis of these results, the product will now enter an active regulatory study phase prior to clinical trials during 2008."
About BioAlliance Pharma
BioAlliance Pharma SA (Euronext Paris: BIO) is a specialty
pharmaceutical company focused on the development and
commercialization of innovative therapeutics targeting cancer, HIV,
opportunistic infections and drug resistance.
The Company is currently conducting 3 phase III clinical trials on
innovative products. Two products are based on the Lauriad(R)
mucoadhesive technology, which allows an early and prolonged
release of therapeutic agents at the site of the disease: one
authorized product in France and two clinical international phase
III trials ongoing (Loramyc(R) and acyclovir Lauriad(R)). One
product is based on the Transdrug(R) nanoparticle technology
designed specifically for intracellular targeting: one
international phase III trial ongoing on primary liver cancer
(doxorubicin Transdrug(R)). The company develops also a New
Entities program focused on new targets in oncology and HIV.
The company concluded two strategic partnerships in 2007 to sell
its Loramyc(R) product in Europe and in the US. BioAlliance Pharma
has just announced the launch of Loramyc(R) on the French
market.
Disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain
forward-looking statements concerning BioAlliance Pharma SA 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
BioAlliance Pharma SA to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. BioAlliance Pharma SA 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.
For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause
actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of
BioAlliance Pharma SA to differ from those contained in the
forward-looking statements please refer to the Risk Factors
(Facteurs de Risque) section of the reference document approved by
the AMF on 6 April 2007 under the number R. 07-031, which is
available on the AMF website www.amf-france.org or BioAlliance
Pharma S.A.'s website www.bioalliancepharma.com.
For press release and other company information, visit www.bioalliancepharma.com
--
Juliette dos Santos
ANDREW LLOYD & ASSOCIATES
http://www.ala.com
juliette@ala.com
55 rue Boissonade 75014 PARIS
FRANCE
Tel : +33 1 56 54 07 00 Fax : +33 1 56 54 07 01
Brighton Business Centre 95 Ditchling Road Brighton BN 1 4ST
ENGLAND
Tel : +44 1273 675100 Fax : +44 1273 675400
contact:
Andrew Lloyd & Associates
Andrew Lloyd / Neil Hunter
Tel: +44 1273 675100
allo@ala.com /
neil@ala.com
Posted: October 2007
