OXiGENE Announces Clinical Trials Data to be Presented At the 2008
Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
WALTHAM, Mass., May 28, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- OXiGENE, Inc.
(Nasdaq:OXGN) (Stockholm:OXGN), a clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical
company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye
diseases, announced today that two abstracts summarizing data from
clinical trials with its vascular disrupting agent (VDA) product
candidates, fosbretabulin (referred to as combretastatin A4-phosphate
/ CA4P) and OXi4503, will be presented in posters at the upcoming
2008 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
(ASCO) in Chicago, IL, May 30-June 3, 2008. Two additional abstracts
containing fosbretabulin clinical trials data are published in the
ASCO meeting program.
ASCO Poster Presentations:
Abstract #3550: A phase I study of combretastatin A4 phosphate
(CA4P) and bevacizumab in subjects with advanced solid tumors.
Poster presentation by Paul Nathan, MBBS, PhD, FRCP, Consultant
Medical Oncologist, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood,
Middlesex, United Kingdom, on Sunday, June 1, 2008,
Developmental Therapeutics: Molecular Therapeutics, S Hall A1,
Poster 22B, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Abstract #3551: Phase I evaluation of vascular disrupting
agent OXi4503. Poster presentation by Daniel M. Patterson, MD,
Department of Medical Oncology, Mount Vernon Hospital,
Northwood, Middlesex, United Kingdom on Sunday, June 1, 2008,
Developmental Therapeutics: Molecular Therapeutics, S Hall A1,
Poster 22F, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Abstracts Published in the ASCO Annual Meeting Program:
Abstract #14584: Volumetric perfusion CT assessment of
concurrent combretastatin-A4-phosphate (CA4P) and
radiotherapy (RT) in non-small cell lung cancer.
H. C. Mandeville, V. Goh, Q. S. Ng, J. Milner,
M. I. Saunders, P. J. Hoskin.
Abstract #14517: A phase I/II trial of radioimmunotherapy
with 131Iodine labeled A5B7 anti-CEA antibody (131I-A5B7) in
combination with Combretastatin-A4-Phosphate (CA4P) in advanced
gastrointestinal carcinomas. A. M. Gaya, J. Violet,
G. Dancey, A. Green, M. Stratford, S. Sharma, K. Owen,
A. Padhani, G. J. Rustin, R. H. Begent, T. Meyer.
About ZYBRESTAT
ZYBRESTAT (fosbretabulin) is currently being evaluated in a pivotal
registration study as a potential treatment for anaplastic thyroid
cancer (ATC) under a Special Protocol Assessment agreement with the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Phase II studies in
platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer are
also ongoing. OXiGENE believes that ZYBRESTAT is poised to become the
first therapeutic product in a novel class of small-molecule drug
candidates called vascular disrupting agents (VDAs). Through
interaction with vascular endothelial cell cytoskeletal proteins,
ZYBRESTAT selectively targets and collapses tumor vasculature,
thereby depriving the tumor of oxygen and causing death of tumor
cells. In clinical studies in solid tumors, ZYBRESTAT has
demonstrated potent and selective activity against tumor vasculature,
as well as clinical activity against ATC, ovarian cancer, and various
other solid tumors. In clinical studies in patients with forms of
macular degeneration, intravenously-administered ZYBRESTAT has
demonstrated clinical activity, and the Company is working to develop
a convenient and patient-friendly topical formulation of ZYBRESTAT
for ophthalmological indications.
About OXi4503
OXi4503 (combretastatin A1 di-phosphate / CA1P) is a dual-mechanism
VDA that is being developed in clinical studies for the treatment of
solid and liquid tumors. Like its structural analog, ZYBRESTAT(TM)
(fosbretabulin / CA4P), OXi4503 has been observed to block and
destroy tumor vasculature, resulting in extensive tumor cell death
and necrosis. In addition, preclinical data indicates that OXi4503 is
metabolized by oxidative enzymes (e.g., tyrosinase and peroxidases),
which are elevated in many solid tumors and tumor white blood cell
infiltrates, to an orthoquinone chemical species that has direct
cytotoxic effects on tumor cells. Preclinical studies have shown that
OXi4503 has (i) single-agent activity against a range of xenograft
tumor models; and (ii) synergistic or additive effects when
incorporated in various combination regimens with chemotherapy,
molecularly-targeted therapies (including tumor-angiogenesis
inhibitors), and radiation therapy. OXi4503 is currently being
evaluated as a monotherapy in a Phase I dose-escalation clinical
trial in patients with advanced solid tumors.
About OXiGENE
OXiGENE is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing
novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases. The company's
major focus is developing VDAs that selectively disrupt abnormal
blood vessels associated with solid tumor progression and visual
impairment. OXiGENE is dedicated to leveraging its intellectual
property and therapeutic development expertise to bring
life-extending and -enhancing medicines to patients.
The OXiGENE, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4969
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any
or all of the forward-looking statements in this press release may
turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking statements can be affected by
inaccurate assumptions OXiGENE might make or by known or unknown
risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, enrollment
rate for patients in the ZYBRESTAT pivotal trial for anaplastic
thyroid cancer, interim analysis of the same, timing of the IND
filing and Phase I trial initiation for topical ZYBRESTAT, timing of
a Phase II clinical trial of ZYBRESTAT and bevacizumab in NSCLC,
timing or execution of a strategic collaboration on any product or
indication, and cash utilization rates for 2008. Additional
information concerning factors that could cause actual results to
materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is
contained in OXiGENE's reports to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including OXiGENE's reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K.
However, OXiGENE undertakes no obligation to publicly update
forward-looking statements, whether because of new information,
future events or otherwise. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
CONTACT: OXiGENE, Inc.
Investor and Media Contact:
Michelle Edwards, Investor Relations
+1 (415) 315-9413
medwards@oxigene.com