Exhibit
99.1
 |
NEWS
RELEASE
|
Lorus
Therapeutics Announces a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the
U.S. National Cancer Institute
-
Preclinical evaluation of Lorus’ RNA-targeted drugs as part of a novel
therapeutic strategy for Renal Cell Carcinomas -
TORONTO, CANADA - May 19, 2009
- - Lorus Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: LOR) (“Lorus”), a biopharmaceutical company
specializing in the research and development of pharmaceutical products and
technologies for the management of cancer, today announced extension of a
cooperative research program with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI),
National Institutes of Health (NIH), which includes its Ribonucleotide Reductase
(RNR) targeted RNA-targeted drugs.
Under
a Materials Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (MCRADA), the
Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Genetics (LCBG) of the NCI will use Lorus’
LOR-2501 and LOR-2040 (formerly known as GTI-2501 and GTI-2040, respectively),
and LOR-1284 (a lead small interfering RNA (siRNA) candidate, formerly known as
siRNA-1284), in combination with commercially-available drugs, to develop a drug
cocktail(s) that is more effective for the treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma
tumors than for normal regenerating kidney. Of specific
interest in this regard is the potential usage of this anti-tumor treatment
approach in targeting the tumor and not the normal regenerating
tissue.
The
title of the MCRADA is “Renal Cell Carcinoma as Wounds that do not heal: Drug
Combinational Therapy using Lorus Therapeutics’ Antisense Oligonucleotides to
Ribonucleotide Reductase M1 Polypeptide (RRM1) & RRM2, and siRNA to RRM2”.
The studies are being conducted at the NCI by Dr. Joseph Riss and the NIH
Principal Investigator Dr. Glenn Merlino.
All
three drugs that are being evaluated in this cooperative research program have
emerged from Lorus’ oncology drug discovery program and have been extensively
tested in many preclinical models. LOR-1284 is currently in preclinical
development as the Lorus’ lead siRNA drug targeting RRM2 (also known as R2).
LOR-2501 and LOR-2040, the Lorus’ lead antisense drugs targeting RRM1 and RRM2
respectively, are each in clinical development stage with the primary focus at
present on the LOR-2040 Phase II program in Acute Myeloid Leukemia, among
several cancer indications studied.
“This
MCRADA is an example of the ongoing collaborative research that Lorus strives to
undertake in parallel with each of its developmental programs”, said Dr. Aiping
Young, Lorus’ President and CEO. “Such partnership accelerates the knowledge
generated by research activities into practical applications and provides a
basis for future development opportunities over and above our core development
program”.
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. Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol LOR.
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 continue as a going concern, our ability to repay or
refinance the convertible debentures by October 2009; 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