SHREWSBURY, U.K., Nov. 13, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- TranXenoGen, Inc. ("TranXenoGen") announces today the successful results of animal model studies conducted with peptides derived from Antineoplastic Urinary Protein ("ANUP"). The results, which have been described in a paper submitted for publication, demonstrate the ability of the peptides to reduce tumor burden by up to 70% in nude mice implanted with human cervical cancer cells. The data confirms previously published results for ANUP protein in a similar mouse model and its potential as a cancer therapeutic. The ANUP peptides appear to act on blood vessel formation inhibiting both angiogenesis and infiltration. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is critical for tumor growth and a key target for cancer therapeutics.
TranXenoGen obtained the worldwide license for ANUP from Antitumor Research Products Inc. in February 2001. ANUP, originally derived from human urine, is believed to be a normally occurring human protein circulated in the blood, which is excreted via the urine. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of multiple human tumor cell types both in vitro and in vivo as well as inhibit angiogenesis. The successful result of the animal model studies triggered a $50,000 milestone payment and issuance of 10,000 shares of common stock to Antitumor Research Products Inc.
Paul DiTullio, Vice President of Product Development stated: "These experiments are an important first step in our ANUP program. The identification of active peptides will help to accelerate the development timeline by providing an alternative therapeutic that can be chemically synthesized to meet the quality standards required for clinical investigations."
George Uveges, President and CEO commented: "I am pleased with the progress in the ANUP program and the opportunities it presents as a potential cancer therapeutic. TranXenoGen's next step is to identify a partner for this product to accelerate development and support entry into clinical trials. Ongoing research includes developing a recombinant product that could be manufactured utilizing the Company's avian transgenic platform."
About TranXenoGen
TranXenoGen, Inc. (symbol TXN.L) is a publicly traded biotechnology company. Its shares are quoted on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. The Company is developing avian transgenic technologies for the production of high volume therapeutic proteins. TranXenoGen is a development stage company and, as such, investors should be aware that an investment in the Company involves a substantially high degree of risk.
Risk Warning Notice:
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