Napro Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ:NPRO)
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NaPro Unveils Targeted Therapeutic Platform for Lung, Breast, and Other Cancers
at AACR-NCI-EORTC Conference
Novel Cytotoxic-Linked Peptide Ligand Selectively Destroys Tumors In Vitro
BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Linkage of a tumor-specific
peptide with an established anticancer agent, paclitaxel, may be the basis for a
targeted highly specific anti-tumor therapy, according to research announced
today by scientists from NaPro BioTherapeutics and the University of Alabama.
The selective tumor-specific conjugate appears to target a wide variety of
cancers expressing the specific peptide receptor. Initial findings were
presented at the annual AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular
Targeting and Cancer Therapeutics.
"This emerging platform combines the science and known cytotoxic properties of
taxanes, compounds with which NaPro has considerable experience, with a
proprietary peptide linkage/receptor specific strategy," said Leonard Shaykin,
Chairman and CEO of NaPro. "We intend to begin clinical trials with at least one
such compound in 2004."
NaPro researchers are targeting the bombesin receptor, common to a wide variety
of tumor types. In vitro experiments have determined that a specific
paclitaxel-bombesin peptide ligand (NBT-300) conjugate is able to deliver
cytotoxic concentrations of taxanes via the bombesin receptor into several
specific cancer cell lines, including breast, small cell lung, non-small cell
lung, head and neck squamous cell, pancreatic, prostate, and neuroblastoma.
"Our early studies demonstrate that, upon binding to its receptor, our
proprietary conjugate is specifically transported into these cancer cell lines,
cleaved, and the intracellularly released paclitaxel destroys the tumor. Levels
of cytotoxicity varied with the level of bombesin receptor expression in each
tumor line and the paclitaxel concentration. The preliminary data are strongly
supportive of a peptide receptor-mediated approach for the treatment of bombesin
receptor expressing cancers. Potential advantages may include a lower side
effect profile for our conjugate compound and a higher level of tumor 'kill'
than an equivalent non-conjugated cytotoxic," commented Lawrence Helson, MD,
Vice President, Bioresearch at NaPro. "We may also be able to deliver a
therapeutic dose to tumors by means of these conjugates which heretofore,
because of systemic toxicity, was not possible."
The presentation, "Receptor-based Targeting Strategy for Bombesin
Receptor-expressing Cancers," was co-authored by Dr. A. Safavy (University of
Alabama) and Drs. James McChesney, Sterling Ainsworth, and Lawrence Helson
(NaPro BioTherapeutics.)
About NaPro BioTherapeutics
NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc., is a life science company focused on the
development of targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer and hereditary
disease.
Forward Looking Statements
The statements in this news release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements that represent management's beliefs and assumptions
as of the date of this news release, based on currently available information.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as
"believes," "intends," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "anticipated,"
"expected" or comparable terminology or by discussions of strategy. Although the
Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that these expectations will prove
to be correct. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties including: risks
associated with development of the genomics, gene editing and targeted
businesses, including competition from companies in similar businesses,
limitations on the ability to market products because of the intellectual
property rights of third parties, the ability to obtain, maintain and enforce
patents; the risk that the transaction announced with Faulding Pharmaceutical
Co. may not close because it is not approved by stockholders or otherwise or may
be materially delayed; the costs of continuing development of any or all of the
Company's development programs; the timing of when those programs will enter the
clinic; the successful commercialization of the Company's platform technologies;
the fact that the Company's business will require substantial additional
investment that the Company has not secured; and the risk that the cash proceeds
from the Faulding transaction, if realized, will not be sufficient to fund the
Company's strategic plans for the initial development new proprietary
therapeutic candidates; and all of those factors identified under the captions
"Risk Factors," "Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements" or
"Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements" in the Company's
documents filed from time to time with the SEC, including the Company's
registration statement on Form S-3, as amended, dated August 8, 2003, its Annual
Report on Forms 10-K and 10-K/A for the year ending December 31, 2002 filed with
the SEC on March 27, April 30, August 8 and October 24, 2003, and its Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2003 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2003. Should one or more of these risks
materialize (or the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially
from those forecasted or expected. The Company disclaims any intention or
obligation to update publicly or revise such statements whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
Additional Information
In connection with the proposed sale of assets to Faulding, NaPro has filed a
definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Investors and security holders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement
as it contains important information about NaPro, the proposed transaction and
related matters. Investors and security holders have access to free copies of
the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC by NaPro
through the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov/. The definitive proxy statement
and related materials may also be obtained for free from NaPro by calling the
company contact listed below.
NaPro and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants
in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction.
Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be
considered to be participants in the solicitation of NaPro's stockholders in
connection with the proposed transaction is set forth in NaPro's proxy statement
for its 2003 annual meeting of stockholders, dated May 23, 2003 and filed with
the SEC on May 27, 2003. Additional information is set forth in the definitive
proxy statement on file with the SEC related to the proposed sale of assets.
For further information, please contact L. Robert Cohen, Vice President,
Investor Relations of NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc., +1-212-218-8715.
DATASOURCE: NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.
CONTACT: L. Robert Cohen, Vice President, Investor Relations of NaPro
BioTherapeutics, Inc., +1-212-218-8715; or Investors, Lilian Stern of Stern
Investor Relations, +1-212-362-1200, for NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.
Web site: http://www.naprobio.com/