AURORA, ON, Feb. 10 /CNW/ - Helix BioPharma Corp. (Helix; TSX,
FSE: "HBP") today announced that it has received a milestone payment of
USD$125,000 from Lumera Corporation (Lumera; NASDAQ: "LMRA") under the terms
of the license agreement signed between the parties approximately one year
ago.
As previously announced by Lumera, it is currently developing a
high-throughput, label-free detection platform in collaboration with the
Seattle-based Institute for Systems Biology ("ISB"), which may enable
biologists to isolate protein samples for testing and analysis. The initial
prototype device is currently undergoing testing and further development at
the ISB. Lumera is developing specialized microarrays, combining its exclusive
license to Helix's Heterodimer Protein technology (HPT) and Lumera's
proprietary nanosurface modification chemistry which Lumera believes will, for
the first time, allow researchers to consistently take existing DNA arrays to
produce protein arrays that accurately mimic the native living cell
environment of the body.
"We are extremely pleased with our relationship with Lumera," said Dr.
Heman Chao, Helix's Vice President of Research. "They are making excellent
progress in the development of high density array protein chips as evidenced
by their recent announcements of a collaborative agreement with Harvard
Medical School (HMS) and the Harvard Institute of Proteomics, and an agreement
with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to co-develop a new
protein chip for the drug discovery and toxicology market."
About Lumera Corporation
Lumera is an emerging leader in the field of nanotechnology. The company
designs proprietary molecular structures and polymer compounds for the
bioscience and communications/computing industries, both of which represent
large market opportunities. The company also has developed proprietary
processes for fabricating such devices. For more information, please visit
www.lumera.com.
About Helix BioPharma
Helix BioPharma Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the
field of cancer therapy. The Company is actively developing innovative
products for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on its proprietary
technologies. Helix's product development initiatives include its Topical
Interferon Alpha-2b and its novel L-DOS47 new drug candidate. Helix is listed
on the TSX under the symbol "HBP", and quoted on the Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich
and Stuttgart Stock Exchanges under the same symbol.
The Toronto and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges have not reviewed and do not
accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this News
Release. Helix is not responsible for the information announced by Lumera as
referenced in this News Release or for the information on Lumera's website,
and such information does not form part of this News Release. This News
Release contains forward-looking statements, which statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes",
"will", "is developing", "further", "may", or comparable terminology referring
to future events or results. Forward looking statements are statements about
the future and are inherently uncertain, and the Company's actual results
could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements as a result of numerous risks and uncertainties, including without
limitation, uncertainty whether Lumera will successfully develop and
commercialize any products; Helix's dependency on Lumera's performance and the
performance of Lumera's collaborators; uncertainty whether Helix will receive
any future payments under its license with Lumera; the risk that Helix's
license agreement with Lumera may be terminated early; the risk of technical
obsolescence; the effect of competition; research and development risks;
intellectual property risks; the need for regulatory approval, which may not
be obtained in a timely matter or at all; product liability and insurance
risks; as well as a description of other risks and uncertainties affecting
Helix and its business, as contained in Helix's latest Annual Information Form
and other documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking
statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of Helix's
management at the time they are made, and Helix does not assume any obligation
to update any forward-looking statement should those beliefs, opinions or
expectations, or other circumstances change.
