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Biotech / Medical : Oncothyreon -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jibacoa who wrote (1609)	3/29/2001 2:21:44 PM
From: Ian@SI	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2344

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Investigator Presents New Data on Optimal Theratope(R) Vaccine Formulation at International Symposium EDMONTON, Mar 29, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Biomira Inc. (NASD: BIOM) (TSE: BRA) announced that findings from a physician-sponsored clinical trial with its lead product candidate, THERATOPE(R) vaccine, were presented at the 9th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in San Diego, CA. Brenda M. Sandmaier, MD of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, reported that using the optimized formulation of THERATOPE(R) vaccine was well-tolerated in breast and ovarian cancer patients after autologous transplant. In the study, 70 breast and ovarian cancer patients were treated with high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation and THERATOPE(R) vaccine. The study was split into two sequential trials, with 40 patients receiving a total of five doses of the vaccine and 30 patients receiving a total of six doses. In the second study of the 30 patients treated with the optimized formulation, now being used in Biomira's Phase III trial in women with metastatic breast cancer, the antibody response was equivalent to or better than that found in the first 40 patients treated. Dr. Sandmaier published earlier in Bone Marrow Transplantation 2000, that when comparing the results of the first 40 breast and ovarian cancer patients treated with THERATOPE(R) vaccine to those in a retrospective control group who were not vaccinated, patients receiving THERATOPE(R) vaccine were more likely to survive and were less likely to relapse. Totals from the two studies indicate that 45 of 70 patients treated are alive, with 31 of those remaining in remission. The first 40 patients commenced treatment with THERATOPE(R) vaccine in September, 1995 and completed treatment in November 1997. The second group of 30 patients began THERATOPE(R) vaccine treatment in May, 1998 and completed their treatment in November, 2000. "The study concluded that THERATOPE(R) vaccine is very well-tolerated, with minimal side-effects," stated Dr. Sandmaier. "The outcome supports that THERATOPE(R) vaccine may prolong survival." "These findings are consistent with earlier studies indicating an apparent survival benefit," commented Alex McPherson MD, PhD, President and CEO of Biomira. "This data will be beneficial to us as we move forward in the analysis of our Phase III THERATOPE(R) vaccine trial data." The Company is currently testing patients in a Phase III trial for metastatic breast cancer with the optimized formulation of THERATOPE(R) vaccine. The trial will determine whether THERATOPE(R) vaccine can delay disease progression and increase survival in women with metastatic breast cancer. The International Symposium on Recent Advances in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation is an interactive forum among basic researchers and clinical practitioners from academic institutions and the biomedical industry in the field of hematopoietic stem cells. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is an independent, non-profit research institution dedicated to the development and advancement of biomedical technology to eliminate cancer and other potentially fatal diseases. Recognized internationally for its pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation, the Center has four scientific divisions collaborating to form a unique environment for conducting basic and applied science. One of 37 U.S. National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States, it is the only one in the Pacific Northwest. More information is available on the Hutchinson Center web site at fhcrc.org. Biomira is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of innovative therapeutic approaches to cancer management. The commitment to the treatment of cancer currently focuses on the development of synthetic vaccines and novel strategies for cancer immunotherapy. We are The Cancer Vaccine People(TM). This release may contain forward-looking statements. Various factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements, including those predicting the timing of clinical trials, trial reviews and analyses or the efficacy of products. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the Company's expectations are correct. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. SOURCE Biomira Inc.