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Biotech / Medical : CLTR COULTER PHARMACEUTICAL -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: WTDEC who wrote (493)	2/2/2000 8:52:00 AM
From: Russian Bear	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 666

Wednesday February 2, 7:31 am Eastern Time Company Press Release Coulter Pharmaceutical and SmithKline Beecham Announce U.S. Patent on Radioimmunotherapy for B-Cell Lymphomas SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 2, 2000--Coulter Pharmaceutical(Nasdaq:CLTR - news) and SmithKline Beecham (NYSE:SBH - news) today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a composition patent relating to radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas. The patent arises from work on Bexxar(TM) (tositumomab, iodine I-131 tositumomab), a radioimmunotherapy being jointly developed by Coulter and SmithKline Beecham and not yet approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory, low-grade or transformed low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. ``This patent significantly strengthens our growing proprietary position in the field of radioimmunotherapy,' said Michael F. Bigham, Coulter's president and chief executive officer. ``Bexxar is a leader in the field of radioimmunotherapies. Our method-of-use patents combined with this newly issued patent provide extensive protection for our scientific innovations and know-how in the field of radioimmunotherapy.' The newly issued patent builds on the companies' proprietary position by focusing on compositions comprising a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody targeting the CD20 antigen found on the surface of B-cells. In December 1998, Coulter was awarded a patent for methods for administering and dosing radioimmunotherapy for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas. That patent relates to methods for blocking non-tumor binding sites as well as methods for determining appropriate dosing based on antibody distribution and metabolism of each individual patient. The companies believe both these elements are critical for safe and effective treatment. Bexxar is a radioimmunotherapy involving an antibody conjugated to iodine 131 that attaches to a protein found only on the surface of B-cells, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma B-cells. Bexxar is believed to work through multiple mechanisms of action resulting in immune system activity of the monoclonal antibody and the therapeutic effects of the iodine (I-131) radioisotope. Through the targeted approach of Bexxar, the tumor cells receive a greater concentration of the therapeutic radiation whereas the radiation to normal tissues is minimized. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the blood and lymphatic tissues. NHL currently is the sixth leading cause of death among cancers in the United States and has the second fastest growing mortality rate. According to statistics from the National Cancer Institute, approximately 300,000 people are afflicted with NHL in the United States alone. It is estimated that approximately 140,000 people have low-grade or transformed low-grade disease. Coulter Pharmaceutical, Inc. is engaged in the development of novel drugs and therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company currently is developing a family of therapeutics based upon three drug development programs: radioimmunotherapy, therapeutic antibodies and targeted oncologics. The company's most advanced product candidate is Bexxar(TM), a monoclonal antibody conjugated to a radioisotope. The company's therapeutic antibody program includes an antibody-based approach to block the Type I interferon receptor for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. Initial efforts in the targeted oncologics program are focused on the development of a tumor-activated peptide pro-drug version of doxorubicin to potentially treat certain solid tumor cancers. For company information, visit Coulter Pharmaceutical's web site at coulterpharm.com. SmithKline Beecham -- one of the world's leading healthcare companies -- discovers, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines and health-related consumer products. For company information, visit SmithKline Beecham on the World Wide Web at sb.com. SmithKline Beecham Oncology is committed to the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of therapeutic and supportive care products in oncology. Currently, SB Oncology markets Hycamtin© (topotecan hydrochloride), Kytril© (granisetron hydrochloride) and Compazine© prochlorperazine), and has novel agents in development. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements for Coulter Pharmaceutical, Inc. that involve risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties related to product development, uncertainties related to the need for regulatory and other government approvals, dependence on proprietary technology, uncertainty of market acceptance of Bexxar(TM) or the company's other product candidates and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In particular, see ``Risk Factors' in the company's filed Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. Under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, SmithKline Beecham cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by the company, including those made in this news release, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may affect the company's operations are discussed in Exhibit 99 to the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 1998, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.