CD59 antibody uses novel approach to "de-cloak" cancers

TORONTO, Canada | October 25, 2007 | ARIUS Research Inc., (TSX: ARI), a biotechnology company discovering and developing the next wave of antibody therapeutics, today announced that new findings have been presented from its Trop-2 and CD59 antibody programs. ARIUS scientists will discuss the Company’s Trop-2 and CD59 abstracts at the AACR press conference today at 9:30 a.m. PT.

"Both our Trop-2 and CD59 antibody programs have demonstrated novel approaches in treating cancer. Our Trop-2 antibody is a novel target and has been linked to aggressive cancers in the scientific literature, while our CD59 program has demonstrated the ability to foil a cancer cell’s ability to evade the immune system," said Dr. David Young, President and CEO. "These programs, in addition to our CD44 cancer stem cell program, were generated through our proprietary drug discovery technology, FunctionFIRST(TM), which is inherently designed to produce novel antibodies and identify unique cancer targets."

Trop-2 Proffered Paper Presentation

ARIUS’ Trop-2 targeting antibody has demonstrated a significant anti-tumor effect in animal models of human pancreatic cancer, inhibiting tumor growth by up to 100 percent. Subsequent testing showed efficacy in animal models of breast, colon and prostate cancers. The antibody compared favorably with Taxotere in prostate cancer model and has also shown the ability to be highly potent at low-dose concentrations.

Additional information can be found at the AACR-NCI-EORTC 2007 International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in San Francisco at the following location and time: AR47A6.4.2, a functional naked monoclonal antibody targeting Trop-2, demonstrates in vivo efficacy in human pancreatic, colon, breast and prostate cancer models. Proffered Paper Session 3, Thursday, October 25, 2007 from 5:15 – 5:30 p.m. in the Third Floor Ballroom at Moscone Center.

CD59 Poster Presentation

ARIUS has demonstrated that CD59 is commonly used to protect cancer cells from being destroyed. Our CD59 targeting antibody provides a novel approach to "de-cloak" cancers. The CD59 targeting antibody activates complement activity against cancer cells and inhibits tumor growth in animal models of breast, colon, lung and prostate. In animal models of breast cancer, tumor growth was
inhibited by up to 100 percent. In particular, the potent effect was observed in breast cancer models that represent a patient population that cannot be treated by Herceptin, the only therapeutic antibody currently approved for breast cancer treatment.

ARIUS’ CD59 poster was presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC 2007 International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in San Francisco on Tuesday October 23, 2007 and is entitled "AR36A36.11.1, a monoclonal antibody targeting CD59, enhances complement activity and exhibits potent in vivo efficacy in multiple human cancer models."

ARIUS scientists Dr. Amandine Truong, Ph.D. and Dr. Baldwin Mak, Ph.D. will discuss the Company’s findings for the aforementioned two abstracts at the AACR press conference on Thursday, October 25th at 9:30 a.m. PT.

About ARIUS

ARIUS is a biotechnology company discovering and developing the next wave of antibody therapeutics. Established in 1999, ARIUS has built a proprietary technology platform, FunctionFIRST(TM), that rapidly identifies and selects antibodies based on their functional ability to affect disease. This antibody generation engine has enabled ARIUS to assemble a portfolio of more than 400 antibody candidates. In addition to the antibodies it is developing in-house, ARIUS has ongoing partnerships with key biotechnology and drug development companies. ARIUS is listed on the TSX under the symbol "ARI". For further information, visit www.ariusresearch.com

SOURCE: ARIUS