Updates and Initial Data on ARIUS Antibodies Disclosed at 97th Annual
Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
TSX Venture Exchange: ARI
TORONTO, March 28 /CNW/ - ARIUS Research Inc. (TSX-VE: ARI) announced
today that it will present a number of new therapeutic anti-cancer antibody
programs at the 97th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer
Research in Washington, D.C., from April 1-5, 2006. The antibodies were
generated using ARIUS' FunctionFIRST(TM) platform.
ARIUS' FunctionFIRST(TM) platform has been highly effective at
discovering novel antibodies, and targets. These antibodies have been shown to
be highly relevant to cancer therapy in proof-of-principle pre-clinical
experiments and in some cases are the first of their kind.
Abstract Number: 637, AR53A10.11 and AR58A314.1, 2 ARIUS functional
monoclonal antibodies target tumor specific antigens. Sunday, April 2,
2006 8:00 AM-12:00 PM Section No. 10.
Abstract Number: 3730, Antibodies targeting the tumor-associated antigen
TROP-2 demonstrate anti-tumor effects in human pancreatic cancer models.
Tuesday, April 4, 2006 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, Section No. 13.
Abstract Number: 4626, Two antibodies directed at complement activation
regulating protein CD59 exhibit efficacy in multiple human cancer models.
Tuesday, April 4, 2006 1:00 PM-5:00 PM, Section No. 16.
Separately, ARIUS will provide a scientific update of its anti-cancer
antibody, ARH460-16-2. This antibody has recently been engineered to be more
appropriate for human clinical trials. This presentation will discuss some of
the properties of the new version of this antibody.
Abstract Number: 639, Chimerized functional anti-CD44 monoclonal
antibody, ARH460-16-2, is more apogenic and has greater in vivo efficacy.
Sunday, April 2, 2006 8:00 AM-12:00 PM, Section No. 10.
Finally, ARIUS, will discuss some of the key unresolved issues in cancer
antibody discovery and development. At this presentation, a survey of
conference attendees will be conducted to solicit a broad spectrum of opinions
and a draw will be held for a prize for those who participate in the survey.
Abstract Number: 1190, "If only we had the data...." Key questions in
oncology antibody development. Sunday, April 2, 2006 1:00 PM-5:00 PM,
Section No. 12.
All sessions will be presented in the Exhibit Hall of Washington
Convention Center. Full text of the abstracts can be obtained through AACR
(http://www.aacr.org) by following the link labeled "97th Annual Meeting 2006"
and then following the link labeled "2006 Proceedings of the AACR Available
Online" on the 2006 AACR Annual Meeting web page and searching for "ARIUS".
"This series of presentations covering new antibodies, novel targets and
now engineered antibodies, illustrates our ongoing commitment to expanding the
FunctionFIRST(TM) platform and extracting the greatest value from it. We have
been able to put some of our pre-clinical antibodies in the hands of excellent
scientists and partners. We look forward to collaborating with other external
groups while our internal efforts are focused on developing the next cohort of
antibodies and advancing our own pipeline," said Dr. Susan Hahn, Director of
research and Development at ARIUS.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARIUS Research's Annual General Meeting will be held on May 25, 2006 at
1:00 p.m. at the TSX Conference Centre Gallery, 130 King Street West,
Toronto, Ontario
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
About AACR
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent
and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest
professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The
membership includes more than 24,000 basic, translational, and clinical
researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in
the United States and more than 60 other countries. AACR marshals the full
spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific
and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants.
The AACR Annual Meeting attracts over 16,000 participants who share the latest
discoveries and developments in the field. Special Conferences throughout the
year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research,
treatment, and patient care. AACR publishes five major peer-reviewed journals:
Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics;
Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Its most recent publication, CR, is a magazine for cancer survivors, patient
advocates, their families, physicians, and scientists. It provides a forum for
sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in
cancer research, survivorship, and advocacy.
About ARIUS Research
ARIUS Research Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to personalizing
cancer therapy through the discovery and development of novel anticancer
monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Established in 1999, ARIUS has built a
proprietary technology platform, FunctionFIRST(TM), that rapidly identifies
powerful MAbs targeting a variety of cancer indications. This antibody
generation engine has enabled ARIUS to assemble a growing pipeline, which is
used for commercial collaborations and in-house development. ARIUS has ongoing
partnerships with key biotechnology and drug development companies. The
company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ARI".
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not
limited to, ARIUS successfully advancing its new product programs as well as
licensing opportunities. These statements are only predictions and actual
events or results may differ materially. Factors that could cause such actual
events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to
differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such
statements include, but are not limited to: early stage of development;
technology and product development; dependence on and management of current
and future corporate collaborations; future capital needs; uncertainty of
additional funding; no assurance of market acceptance; dependence on
proprietary technology and uncertainty of patent protection; intense
competition; manufacturing and market uncertainties; and government
regulation. These and other factors are described in detail in the Company's
Annual Report, forthcoming news releases and other filings with Canadian
securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking
statements are based on our current expectations and ARIUS is not obligated to
update such information to reflect later events or developments.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this statement.
