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Biotech / Medical : Imclone systems (IMCL) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: 5,17,37,5,101,... who wrote (57)	11/7/1997 8:38:00 PM
From: CPAMarty	Respond to of 2515

WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Advances in molecular biology have allowed drug companies to take dramatic new approaches to treating cancer, the journal Science reported Thursday. Most cancer treatments today involve blunt-instrument approaches such as surgery or the use of poisonous chemicals or radiation that can kill healthy cells. New understanding of the basic cellular processes involved in cancer have encouraged the development of drugs that block cancer at various stages of its development and that should be much gentler on the patient. Scientists also understand that genetic mutations are a basic cause of nearly all cancers and are finding ways to counter their effects. They are all still at experimental stages, but some of the new approaches being taken by drug companies include antibodies that block the effects of proteins that start the uncontrolled cell replication that marks cancer, molecules that block the chemical doorways, or receptors, used by enzymes and genetic approaches aimed at restoring normal gene activity. Cell Pathways Inc's FGN-1 brings on apoptosis, the natural cell 'suicide' process that removes damaged and potentially cancerous cells. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which block tumor growth by stopping the development of blood vessels that feed them, are being developed by Sugen <SUGN.O>, Zeneca <ZEN.L>, Oncogene Science <ONCS.O> and Pfizer <PFE.N>. Janssen, a unit of Johnson & Johnson <JNJ.N>, is working on a farnesyl transferase inhibitor it hopes will prevent activity by ras, believed to be the second-most-common gene involved in cancer. It tells cells whether to divide. Hoechst Marion Roussel, a subsidiary of Germany's Hoechst <HOEG.F>, is pursuing CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase) inhibitors, which should block the out-of-control growth cycle of cancer cells. Genentech <GNE.N> is developing an antibody that blocks the HER2 growth receptor, which is overexpressed in breast cancer patients, while rival ImClone Systems <IMCL.O> is working on one that blocks the EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptor. There are also several genetic approaches. Seattle's targeted Genetics is trying out gene therapy to replace faulty HER2 genes. Introgen Therapeutics <INGN.O>, working with Rhone-Poulenc <RHON.PA> division RPR Gencell, and rival Schering-Plough <SGP.N> subsidiary Canji Inc., have engineered cold viruses to carry the p53 tumor suppressor gene to cells that have lost it. The p53 gene is involved in up to half of all cancers. Onyx Pharmaceuticals <ONYX.O> is taking the opposite approach, with a modified virus that kills cells that lack p53. Antisense therapy, which blocks the effects of genes involved in cancer by interfering with protein production, is also showing promise. Biotech company Genta Inc. is developing BCL-2 antisense to restore apoptosis. REUTERS 00:13 11-07-97

To: 5,17,37,5,101,... who wrote (57)	11/14/1997 6:38:00 AM
From: CPAMarty	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 2515

NEW YORK--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 11, 1997--ImClone Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:IMCL) announced today that the Company has received from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant of $100,000 to support preclinical research on the validation of vascular-specific cadherin (VE-cadherin) as a novel potential drug target to inhibit cancer-associated angiogenesis. VE-cadherin is believed to play an important role in angiogenesis by enabling the assembly of endothelial cells into vascular tubes. Cancer growth is dependent on the formation of a capillary blood vessel network in the tumor, and VE-cadherin antagonists may thus have utility as anti-cancer agents. ImClone will test monoclonal antibodies against VE-cadherin as potential angiogenesis inhibitors and use its high-throughput assays for the identification of small molecule VE-cadherin inhibitors. ImClone announced last week that the Company has acquired exclusive rights to the newly discovered protein VE-cadherin-2. "The SBIR grant from the NCI affirms ImClone's dual commitments to early discovery research and to broadening its cancer-related angiogenesis program," commented Daniel J. Hicklin, Ph.D., Principal Investigator and Director of Immunology at ImClone Systems. "We appreciate the NCI's eagerness to support such novel work as the VE-cadherin program, which complements our ongoing anti-angiogenesis studies and represents a potentially important method of inhibiting tumor vascularization." ImClone Systems' lead anti-angiogenesis compound is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the tyrosine kinase receptor known as KDR/FLK-1, located on tumor-associated capillary blood vessels. The KDR/FLK-1 receptor, when stimulated by tumor-derived vascular growth factor, VEGF, mediates the tumor-associated formation of new blood vessels. ImClone scientists are conducting preclinical research to determine potential clinical utility of the Company's monoclonal-antibody antagonist of KDR/FLK-1 and to obtain regulatory approval for clinical studies. ImClone Systems has two oncology products in late-stage clinical development and is advancing earlier drug candidates to the clinical stage. The Company is currently evaluating C225, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) antagonist, in head and neck cancer patients in three Phase Ib/IIa dose-escalation trials in combination with other anti-cancer therapies. ImClone expects to initiate Phase II/III studies to evaluate the potential of C225 in various tumor types. In addition, ImClone intends to initiate a Phase III multinational trial in small cell lung cancer patients with the Company's anti-cancer vaccine BEC2. ImClone Systems Incorporated, headquartered in New York, is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutic products including interventional therapeutics, cancer vaccines and blood cell growth factors for the treatment of cancer and cancer-related disorders. -0- Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted in such forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties in obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval, market acceptance of and continuing demand for the Company's products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and the Company's ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. CONTACT: ImClone Systems Incorporated, New York Andrea F. Rabney, 212/645-1405 or Burns McClellan, Inc., New York Reagan Codner (Investors) Justin Jackson (Media) 212/213-0006 KEYWORD: NEW YORK BW1167 NOV 11,1997