Lorus
Therapeutics Announces Allowance of New United States
Patent
for its Anticancer Drug LOR-2040
TORONTO, CANADA, JULY 29, 2008 -
Lorus Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: LOR, AMEX: LRP) (“Lorus”), a
biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of
pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of cancer, today
announced the allowance of a new patent from the United States Patent and
Trademark Office for its clinical-stage anticancer drug LOR-2040.
The
patent, which was issued this month as U.S. Patent No. 7,405,205, protects
methods of treating leukemia with LOR-2040, both alone and in combination with
chemotherapy drugs. The patent also covers methods of treating specific solid
cancers with LOR-2040, including colon, lung, breast, and bladder cancers.
LOR-2040 composition as well as its design and use as a unique anticancer drug
is currently protected in the U.S. under a separate patent issued in
1999.
LOR-2040
is being tested in two separate clinical studies in leukemia
indications. In 2008, Lorus initiated an advanced Phase II clinical
study with LOR-2040 in combination with high dose cytarabine (HiDAC) in patients
less than 60 years of age with relapsed or refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia
(AML). LOR-2040 is also under study as a single agent in a Phase I clinical
trial in acute leukemias and high-grade myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which is
sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Therapy Evaluation
Program (CTEP) under a Clinical Trials Agreement with Lorus.
LOR-2040
has shown significant anticancer activity and low toxicity in a variety of human
tumor types in preclinical studies. In a recently completed proof-of-concept
clinical trial, patients with relapsed or refractory AML showed a 35% complete
response rate, accumulation of LOR-2040 in tumor cells, and down regulation of
its biochemical target following treatment with LOR-2040 in combination with
HiDAC.
“Leukemia
remains a primary focus for LOR-2040 development and future commercialization,”
said Dr. Aiping Young, Lorus’ President and CEO. “This newly issued U.S. patent
adds additional strength to our global IP position for this drug, and supports
the potential development in other cancers in a major market”.
About
LOR-2040
LOR-2040
(formerly GTI-2040) is an RNA-targeted drug that specifically targets the R2
component of ribonucleotide reductase, which is required for DNA synthesis and
cell proliferation. Through downregulation of R2, LOR-2040 has demonstrated
strong antitumor and antimetastatic activity in a variety of tumor types in both
in vivo and in vitro models and is under
study in a multiple Phase I/II clinical program, including an advanced Phase II
clinical trial with LOR-2040 and high dose Ara-C (HiDAC) in refractory and
relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The R2 target has been described as a
malignant determinant that is elevated in a wide range of tumors, which can
cooperate with a variety of cellular cancer causing genes known as oncogenes to
enhance tumor growth and metastatic potential.
About
Lorus
Lorus
is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of novel
therapeutics in cancer. Lorus’ goal is to capitalize on its research,
preclinical, clinical and regulatory expertise by developing new drug candidates
that can be used, either alone, or in combination with other drugs, to
successfully manage cancer. Through its own discovery efforts and an acquisition
and in-licensing program, Lorus is building a portfolio of promising anticancer
drugs. Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol LOR, and on the American Stock Exchange under the
symbol LRP.
Forward
Looking Statements
This
press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Such statements include, but are not limited
to, statements relating to: our research program plans, our plans to conduct
clinical trials, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies and
the regulatory approval process, our ability to fund future research, our plans
to obtain partners to assist in the further development of our product
candidates, the establishment of corporate alliances, the Company’s plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements including words
such as “continue”, “believe”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “should”,
“may”, and other similar expressions. Such statements reflect our current views
with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are
necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while
considered reasonable by us are inherently subject to significant business,
economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies.
Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that
may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among
others: our ability to obtain the capital required for research and operations,
the inherent risks in early stage drug development including demonstrating
efficacy, development time/cost and the regulatory approval process; the
progress of our clinical trials; our ability to find and enter into agreements
with potential partners; our ability to attract and retain key personnel;
changing market conditions; and other risks detailed from time-to-time in our
ongoing quarterly filings, annual information forms, annual reports and annual
filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Should
one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the
assumptions set out in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual
Information Form underlying those forward-looking statements prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These
forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and we
do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking
statements, except as required by law. We cannot assure you that such statements
will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned
that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking
statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Lorus
Therapeutics Inc.’s recent press releases are available through the Company’s
website at www.lorusthera.com. For Lorus' regulatory filings on SEDAR, please go
to www.Sedar.com. For SEDAR filings prior to July 10, 2007 you will
find these under the company profile for Global Summit Real Estate Inc. (Old
Lorus).
Enquiries:
For
further information, please contact:
Lorus
Therapeutics Inc.
Dr.
Saeid Babaei, 416-798-1200 ext. 490; ir@lorusthera.com
