Full NRbiOasis' BT2111-Herceptin(R) Program Achieves Significant Positive Results From Antibody Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity Assay
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 13, 2012) - biOasis Technologies Inc. (TSX VENTURE:BTI.V - News) today announces positive test results from its Transcend therapeutic BT2111 development program directed towards the delivery of the therapeutic monoclonal antibody Herceptin(R) to the brain. An ADCC (antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity) assay showed that BT2111 conjugates retained Fc receptor binding activity and mediated human immune cell killing of HER2+ breast cancer cell line. The ADCC assay is used to measure the human immune system activity directed against Herceptin(R) bound to HER2+ cancer cells and is considered a good predictor of anti cancer activity. This positive ADCC activity complements previous results, obtained by the British Columbia Cancer Agency, which showed that BT2111 is able to bind to HER2+ cancer cells and kill them.
"The BT2111-Herceptin(R) program is advancing exceptionally well," said Rob Hutchison, CEO. "Herceptin(R) is known to have two types of activity against HER2+ breast cancer cells. We showed through the work performed at the British Columbia Cancer Agency that BT2111 was very effective in killing HER2+ cancer cells directly through HER2+ binding. Now, the ADCC assay confirms that the BT2111 conjugate functions to induce cell mediated cytotoxic activity against HER2+ cancer cells by facilitating the binding of human natural killer cells to HER2+ breast cancer cells. The ADCC assay results provides us with further confidence to advance the BT2111 program."
(i)Herceptin(R) is the registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.
ABOUT TRANSCEND & BT2111
biOasis is developing a proprietary vector for the transport of therapeutic and imaging agents across the blood-brain barrier - Transcend. Current initiatives within the Transcend program include production of materials for preclinical studies and conjugation of Transcend to a range of small molecule and large molecule biologic therapeutics, including monoclonal antibodies. The BT2111 program involves conjugation of the therapeutic monoclonal antibody Herceptin(R) to Transcend as a potential treatment for HER2+ brain metastases.
Overcoming the difficulty of delivering therapeutic agents to specific regions of the brain presents a major challenge to treatment of most brain disorders. In its neuroprotective role, the blood-brain barrier functions to hinder the delivery of many potentially important diagnostic and therapeutic agents to the brain. Therapeutic molecules and genes that might otherwise be effective in diagnosis and therapy do not cross the BBB in adequate amounts. It is widely reported that over 95% of all potential therapeutic molecules do not cross the blood-brain barrier. To address the unmet clinical need to transport drugs across the blood brain barrier biOasis intends to license Transcend to multiple corporate partners.