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Biotech / Medical : EntreMed (ENMD) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: MIKE DUBIS who wrote (1053)	5/19/1998 10:05:00 PM
From: Leman	Respond to of 2135

CLEVELAND--Feb. 3, 1998--Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ SmallCap: ATLC - news) announced today that its 2-5A antisense compound has demonstrated an ability to inhibit the growth and survival of human cancer cells, according to findings that will be reported today at the International Business Communications Sixth Annual Antisense Conference in Coronado, California. The 2-5A antisense technology is licensed to Atlantic's subsidiary Gemini Technologies, Inc., which has its offices in Cleveland. Compound Shows Potential To Selectively Inhibit Cancers The compound acts by selectively incapacitating telomerase, an RNA protein complex that helps keep cancer cells from aging and dying. The findings, based on human cancer cells that had been transplanted into laboratory mice, will be presented by Robert H. Silverman, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Cancer Biology, The Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Dr. Silverman is also Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of Gemini Technologies, Inc. The findings are based on research conducted by Dr. Silverman and two Cleveland Clinic colleagues: Seiji Kondo, M.D., a specialist in neurosurgical research, and John K. Cowell, Ph.D., a specialist in neuro-oncology and neuroscience research. The chemical synthesis of 2-5A antisense was pioneered at the National Institutes of Health by Paul F. Torrence, Ph.D., Section Chief, Biomedical Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Telomerase has been the focus of recent press coverage because of its potential use in lengthening the life span of human cells. When certain cells last too long, however, the result is cancer - an illness caused by cells multiplying endlessly and never dying off. "Our antisense-enhancing technology was effective against human malignant gliomas that had been transplanted into mice, and it showed promise against other types of cancers,'' stated Dr. Silverman. "While this technology is in the early stages of development, the results obtained thus far are very exciting, especially in light of the intractable problem of treating malignant glioma. With continued development, targeting telomerase with 2-5A antisense may present an effective therapy for a broad range of cancers.'' Atlantic's 2-5A Shows Potential as a Platform Technology Atlantic has previously announced in vitro proof of principle data demonstrating that enhancing antisense compounds with its proprietary 2-5A technology results in substantially increased efficacy. Potential implications include better clinical outcome, more convenient dosing and reduced cost of goods. "The telomerase study findings are particularly noteworthy because, for the first time, they provide in vivo proof of principle that our 2-5A technology may be capable of substantially increasing the efficacy of many existing antisense compounds,'' said J. D. Lindjord, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Pharmaceuticals. "We are currently engaged in discussions with several companies interested in enhancing their antisense programs by licensing our proprietary technology.'' Atlantic Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company developing pharmaceutical and biomedical products for a variety of therapeutic areas. The Company's strategy, which differentiates their approach from most biotechnology firms, is to develop a diverse portfolio of promising and independent product candidates licensed from a variety of sources. Currently, Atlantic is developing novel technologies in the areas of cataract removal, antisense gene therapy, prevention of restenosis following coronary angioplasty, and anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that relate to future scientific, business and financial performance. Such statements can only be predictions and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, which may cause the actual events or future results to differ from those discussed herein. Such factors include those risks described in the Company's most recent reports on Forms 10-QSB and 10-KSB previously filed by Atlantic with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.