The world forgot how to read. OXGN made cancer go to cancer heaven in phase testing!!!! This article was written by Bristol Myers Squibb!
Wednesday November 29, 8:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Clinical
Development Program for Combretastatin A4
Prodrug
Technology Licensed From OXiGENE, Inc.
PRINCETON, N.J., and WATERTOWN, Mass., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY
- news), a world leader in oncology, and OXiGENE, Inc. (Nasdaq: OXGN, SSE: OXGN), a world leader in the field of
vascular targeting, today reported on an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission for the systemic use of Combretastatin A4
Prodrug (CA4P). Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced its intention to initiate a clinical program for the compound, an
anti-tumor vascular targeting agent which is currently being evaluated in three Phase I clinical trials conducted by OXiGENE. It
is currently anticipated that the first patient will be dosed as early as 30 days after an acceptance of this submission.
Bristol-Myers Squibb licensed the technology for the systemic use of CA4P from OXiGENE in December 1999.
``We believe the novel approach made possible by combretastatin shows promise for attacking, in a unique way, the lifeline of
tumors, and we are committed to contributing to the development of this new anticancer compound,'' said Renzo Canetta, MD,
vice president, clinical oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb.
OXiGENE licensed the technology from Arizona State University and has been conducting three Phase I clinical trials in the
U.S. and in England, including more than 80 treated patients to date, over the past two years. Interim results from these studies
have demonstrated significant reduction in blood flow to existing solid tumors including certain instances of total tumor regression.
``OXiGENE is thrilled that Bristol-Myers Squibb has shown such interest in CA4P and we at OXiGENE are confident that this
IND submission will lead to the rapid development of the first effective anti-vascular targeting agent with therapeutic effect in
existing tumor vasculature,'' said Bjorn Nordenvall, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OXiGENE. ``This development is
further validation of the important role that OXiGENE plays bringing promising technologies out of academic institutions and to
the attention of respected pharmaceutical companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb.''
Combretastatin is one of a new class of anti-cancer therapies that act by directly reducing a tumor's blood supply. CA4P is
different from angiogenic inhibitors now in clinical development in that it attacks pre-existent tumor vasculature, as opposed to
anti-angiogenic agents that inhibit the formation of new tumor-associated vasculature.
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a $20 billion diversified global health and personal care company whose mission is to extend and
enhance human life. With an R&D budget of nearly $2 billion in 1999, the Company is a leading maker of innovative therapies
for cardiovascular, metabolic, and infectious diseases, central nervous system and dermatological disorders, and cancer. The
company is also a leading maker in consumer medicines, orthopaedic devices, ostomy care, wound management, nutritional
supplements, infant formulas, and hair and skin care products. In addition, Bristol-Myers Squibb recently announced plans to
divest both the Clairol and Zimmer businesses.
OXiGENE is an international biopharmaceutical company developing a diverse portfolio of innovative products to combat
cancer and other major diseases. The Company's mission is to develop new therapeutics that will enhance the effectiveness of
traditional cancer treatments and to introduce therapies that attack cancer and other disease processes in new ways.
Certain statements made in this press release, including the possible success of the Company's business and its technology
goals, are forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results or outcomes to be materially
different from those anticipated and discussed in this press release. Factors that may cause such a difference include, but are
not limited to, those risks and uncertainties associated with the regulatory approval of the Company's proprietary drugs, and
other risks included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission during the past 12 months.
SOURCE: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company |
