NIMOTUZUMAB CLINICAL DATA PRESENTED AT ASCO MEETING

    NIMOTUZUMAB CLINICAL DATA PRESENTED AT ASCO ANNUAL MEETING

    MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 2 /CNW/ - YM BioSciences Inc. (AMEX: YMI, TSX: YM,
AIM: YMBA), an oncology company that identifies, develops and commercializes
differentiated products for patients worldwide, today announced that clinical
data from three clinical trials of its anti-cancer drug nimotuzumab, a
humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor
receptor, were presented at the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology
(ASCO) Annual Meeting being held in Chicago from May 30 to June 3, 2008.
    "The breadth of data presented at ASCO highlights the promise nimotuzumab
holds for a diverse group of oncology patients," said David Allan, Chairman
and CEO of YM BioSciences. "In each of these trials, results further
demonstrated the unique potential for nimotuzumab to be an effective
EGFR-targeting antibody without deleterious side-effects observed with the
other drugs in its class."

    "Phase III trial of nimotuzumab for the treatment of newly diagnosed
    diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas in children and adolescents" (Abstract
    number 2058):
    This poster reported data from a multi-centre Phase III study evaluating
the feasibility and efficacy of nimotuzumab as the primary treatment for these
patients. Between March 2006 and August 2007, 42 patients aged 3 to 16 years
(median 7 years) were enrolled in this study, with 41 patients evaluable for
response. The primary endpoint for the trial is median progression free
survival at six months after diagnosis. Secondary endpoints include overall
survival, response rate, toxicity and quality of life.
    The poster presentation described preliminary results including that the
median progression free survival was 5.9 months, that the median overall
survival was 9.7 months and that 12 of the 41 evaluable patients are currently
alive. No incidences of rash were noted and results were reported to be
comparable to intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Quality of life was
reported as excellent when compared with intensive chemotherapy. Current and
planned studies will expand the use of nimotuzumab from the pediatric
population to adults with high grade brain tumors.

    "Pharmacodynamic (PD) study of Nimotuzumab, an anti epidermal growth
    factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (MAb), in patients with
    unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN): A
    SENDO Foundation study" (Abstract number 6070):
    Ten patients with advanced SCCHN, unsuitable for chemo-radiotherapy, were
enrolled in a single center phase Ib clinical trial, where they received eight
weekly infusions of nimotuzumab at two dose levels: 200mg and 400mg. Paired
biopsies were taken from skin and primary tumors, before and 1 week after
first infusion.
    Nimotuzumab was well tolerated and there was no evidence of skin rash in
any of the treated patients. Objective Response was achieved in 80% of
patients (2 Complete Responses, 6 Partial Responses) and median survival time
was 7.2 months. Results also demonstrated that after a short period of
exposure, nimotuzumab as a single agent inhibited EGFR phosphorylation and
this was accompanied by a trend towards molecular downstream effects
consistent with the expected biological effects of EGFR targeting. The absence
of inflammatory skin reaction might be linked to the lack of skin toxicity by
the drug.
    In addition, YM BioSciences presented data, described in a separate press
release issued today by the Company, based on the following poster:
    "Preliminary results of an escalating dose phase I clinical trial of the
    anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody nimotuzumab in combination with external
    radiotherapy in patients diagnosed with stage IIb, III or IV non-small
    cell lung cancer (NSCLC) unsuitable for radical therapy" (Abstract number
    3037):

    About YM BioSciences

    YM BioSciences Inc. is an oncology company that identifies, develops and
commercializes differentiated products for patients worldwide. The Company has
two late-stage products: nimotuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that
targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and is approved in several
countries for treatment of various types of head and neck cancer; and
AeroLEF(TM), a proprietary, inhaled-delivery composition of free and
liposome-encapsulated fentanyl in development for the treatment of moderate to
severe pain, including cancer pain.

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which reflect
the Company's current expectation regarding future events. These
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause
actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any
future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to,
changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical
studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive
products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the
regulatory approval process and other risks detailed from time to time in the
Company's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting. Certain of the assumptions
made in preparing forward-looking statements include but are not limited to
the following: that nimotuzumab will continue to demonstrate a competitive
safety profile in ongoing and future clinical trials; that AeroLEF- will
continue to generate positive efficacy and safety data in future clinical
trials; and that YM and its various partners will complete their respective
clinical trials within the timelines communicated in this release. We
undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.


For further information: Enquiries: Thomas Fechtner, the Trout Group LLC,
Tel. [phone], Email: tfechtner(at)troutgroup.com; James Smith, the
Equicom Group Inc., Tel. [phone] x 229, Email:
jsmith(at)equicomgroup.com; Nominated Adviser, Canaccord Adams Limited, Ryan
Gaffney, Tel. [phone]
(YM. YMI)



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