Amorfix begins preclinical studies with tumor specific antibodies for treatment of ovarian cancer
TSX: AMF
TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd. announced today that the Company is collaborating with Dr. Dawn Waterhouse from the BC Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia to test the Company's tumor specific antibodies in animal models of ovarian cancer. "This is a significant milestone for our novel cancer programs and will establish the proof of concept for our lead misfolded prion protein antibody project" said Amorfix President and CEO, Dr. Robert Gundel. "We have already demonstrated tumor specific binding of our antibody and potent ovarian tumor cell killing with an antibody-toxin conjugate in a number of cellular assays. We have now initiated a very ambitious series of studies in a number of ovarian cancer models. These studies represent an exciting next step to demonstrate the ability to generate a new generation of specific tumor binding antibodies that effectively inhibit tumor growth while leaving healthy cells untouched, in an animal model of cancer."
The Company used its proprietary ProMIS™ Discovery technology to identify novel, disease specific epitopes (DSEs) and generate a lead candidate antibody against an epitope that is exposed only on the surface of misfolded prion protein and not on the normally folded protein. Initial studies demonstrated that misfolded prion protein is expressed on the cell surface of ovarian tumor cells and that the antibody selectively binds to tumor cells and not to normal cells, including normal ovarian cells. The studies conducted in collaboration with Dr. Waterhouse will evaluate the ability of the antibody to effectively reduce tumor growth in animal models of ovarian cancer.
The antibody will be tested in two different models of ovarian cancer, and will be tested for efficacy both on its own and when conjugated to a toxin.
About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women, and it causes more deaths than any other type of female reproductive cancer. Most deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women age 55 and older. Ovarian cancer is often not diagnosed until late-stage disease when the cancer has spread to other organs in the body, which contributes to the short survival time following diagnosis. Ovarian cancer is typically treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is not very effective as a treatment and is associated with a number of potential dose-limiting side effects due to its non-specific killing of both tumor and normal cells.
About Amorfix
Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd. (TSX:AMF) is an early-stage product development company developing therapeutic antibodies and diagnostics targeting misfolded protein diseases. Amorfix utilizes its computational discovery platform, ProMIS™, to predict novel Disease Specific Epitopes (DSEs) on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this technology, Amorfix is developing novel antibody therapeutics and companion diagnostics for cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, Amorfix has developed two proprietary technologies to specifically identify very low levels of misfolded proteins in a biological sample: Epitope Protection™ and AMFIA™, an ultra-sensitive dual-bead immunoassay. Use of these technologies has generated a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) screening test for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and an ultrasensitive method for detecting the hallmark of AD, aggregated beta-Amyloid, in brain tissue, CSF and blood from animal models of AD. For more information about Amorfix, visit www.amorfix.com.
The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains certain forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it, such as the commitments of potential subscribers that are not binding legal obligations, as well as other factors, that are subject to change. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law.
ProMIS™, Epitope Protection™ and AMFIA™ are trademarks of Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd.
SOURCE: Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd.
Dr. Robert Gundel
President and Chief Executive Officer
Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd.
Tel: (416) 847-6957
Fax: (416) 847-6899
[email protected]
Janet Clennett
Chief Financial Officer
Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd.
Tel: (416) 847-6926
Fax: (416) 847-6899
[email protected]
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