TSE & VSE: "HBP"
AUGUST 15, 1997
HELIX BIOPHARMA NEWS RELEASE
215 - 7080 RIVER ROAD
RICHMOND, B.C.
CANADA V6X 1X5
PHONE: (604) 270-7468
FAX: (604) 270-8208
TOLL FREE: 1-800-563-4363
U.S. PATENT ISSUED FOR HELIX BIOPHARMA CORP.'S METHOD OF TREATING CANDIDA
ALBICANS
(RICHMOND, B.C.) - Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSE/VSE: HBP) today announced
that the US PATENT OFFICE has issued a patent with respect to the Company's
treatment for Candida albicans, a serious medical condition with an
estimated world-wide market in excess of US $1.4 billion per year. Helix
holds world-wide rights to this treatment, which is based on Anti-Infective
Technology, through its strategic alliance with The Protein Engineering
Network of Centers of Excellence (PENCE).
Candida albicans is a significant human disease-causing organism that
primarily infects immunocompromised or immunosuppressed individuals, such
as AIDS and cancer patients, and is responsible for oral thrush and vaginal
yeast infections.
Helix's Anti-Infective Compounds prevent Candida albicans from attaching to
healthy cells by, in effect, "Teflon-coating" the disease-causing
organisms. Since the organisms cannot bind, they cannot infect healthy cells.
Mr. Jerome F. McElroy, Helix's Chairman, stated that "the issuance of this
patent substantially strengthens Helix's ability to commercialize products
based on the Anti-Infective Technology." Mr. McElroy continued, "Results
from preliminary animal trials are expected very soon, and if these results
prove successful, comprehensive animal trials will commence immediately
thereafter."
The Health Protection Branch in Canada provides a "fast track" approval
process for remedies associated with the alleviation of suffering
associated with certain illnesses including AIDS and cancer. The
Anti-Infective Technology could qualify for priority status, and could
therefore be "fast tracked" through the approval process.
Helix BioPharma Corp. is an emerging health-care company focused on the
development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and other biomedical
technologies. Helix has entered into strategic alliances with PENCE and
PharmaDerm Laboratories through which the Company has obtained a complete
range of diagnostic, therapeutic, and drug delivery technologies.
Headquartered in Richmond, B.C., the Company has offices across Canada and
internationally in Ireland, and is publicly-traded on the Toronto Stock
Exchange.
Dated at Richmond, B.C. this 15th Day of August, 1997.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Terrance G. Owen, Ph.D., M.B.A., President
The Toronto and Vancouver Stock Exchanges have not reviewed and do not
accept responsibility for the adequacy of the content of the information
contained herein.
Helix BioPharma trades on the TSE and VSE under the symbol "HBP"
Investor Contact:
Jason Van Bergen
Helix BioPharma Corp.
Tel: (604) 270-7468
Fax: (604) 270-8208
E-mail: invrelations@helixbiopharma.ca
Web site: helixbio.com
Media Contact:
Sarah Temple
Barr & Wilcox Group
Tel: (604) 488-1100
Fax: (604) 488-1122
E-mail: bwgroup@axionet.com
Web site: newshook.com |
