YM BIOSCIENCES NIMOTUZUMAB PRESENTATIONS AT ASCO 2008

    YM BIOSCIENCES ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE OF NIMOTUZUMAB PRESENTATIONS AT ASCO 2008

ANNUAL MEETING

 

     MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 5 /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 posters

describing research conducted on its anti-cancer drug nimotuzumab are

scheduled to be presented at the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology

(ASCO) Annual Meeting, which takes place May 30 - June 3, 2008 in Chicago, IL.

     The first poster presentation, entitled "Phase III trial of nimotuzumab

for the treatment of newly diagnosed diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas in

children and adolescents" is listed as scheduled to be presented on Sunday,

June 1, 2008 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (S Hall A1, Poster Board number 3D,

Abstract number 2058)

     The second poster presentation, entitled "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" is scheduled to be presented

on Saturday, May 31, 2008 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (S Hall A1, Poster Board

number 14D, Abstract number 6070)

     The third poster presentation, entitled "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 unsuitable for radical

therapy" will be presented on Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (S

Hall A1, Poster Board number 15F, Abstract number 3037)

     This poster will present updated trial results including survival data,

response rate and overall safety of nimotuzumab in the palliative patient

population.

     The 2008 ASCO Annual Meeting abstracts will be publicly posted at

www.ASCO.org on Thursday, May 15th at 9:00PM EDT.

 

     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(TM) 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: Thomas Fechtner, the Trout Group LLC, Tel. (646)

378-2931, 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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