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AURORA, Ontario, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX, FSE: "HBP") today announced that it will present preclinical data about the mechanism of action for L-DOS47, the first drug candidate under development based on the Company's DOS47 technology, at The Second Conference of Lung Cancer on November 22, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Warsaw, Poland.
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The presentation, titled "L-DOS: Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment," will be delivered by Heman Chao, Ph.D., Helix BioPharma's Vice President of Research. Dr. Chao will highlight previously announced laboratory and animal data that demonstrates the potential for L-DOS47 to bind to and debilitate and destroy human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Helix will also feature a scientific poster at the conference, a copy of which will be posted on Helix's website for download at www.helixbiopharma.com.
L-DOS47 combines Helix's proprietary DOS47 new drug candidate with a highly specific, single-domain antibody to form a potential new targeted drug product for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of cancer today. L-DOS47 functions by leveraging a natural process in the body called the urea cycle to produce an anti-cancer effect. In effect, L-DOS47 reverses the urea cycle by breaking down urea into metabolites that include ammonia and hydroxyl ions. By doing so at the site of cancerous tissues in the body, L-DOS47 is believed to modify the microenvironmental conditions of lung cancer cells in a manner that leads to their death.
Among these theorized effects, L-DOS47 is believed to stimulate an increase in the pH of the microenvironment surrounding the cancerous cells, effectively reversing the acidic extra-cellular conditions that are known to be necessary for cancer cell survival. In addition, the local production of ammonia at the site of cancerous tissues is thought to readily diffuse into the cancer cells to exert a potent cytotoxic effect by interfering with their critical metabolic functions.
About Helix BioPharma Corp.
Helix BioPharma Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the field of cancer therapy. The Company is actively developing innovative products for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on its proprietary technologies. Helix's product development initiatives include its Topical Interferon Alpha-2b and its novel L-DOS47 new drug candidate. Helix is listed on the TSX under the symbol "HBP." For more information, visit www.helixbiopharma.com.
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This News Release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding potential cancer therapeutics under development by the Company, and in particular, regarding L-DOS47. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "is thought", "is believed", "new", "will", "theorized", "developing", or variations thereon or comparable terminology referring to future events or results. Forward looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and Helix's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including without limitation, uncertainty whether L-DOS47 will be developed successfully as a drug or at all; research & development risks, including the risk that early R&D results may not be repeated in later R&D; the risk that theorized mechanisms of action may be incorrect and theorized results may not be achieved; the need for regulatory approvals, which may not be obtained in a timely matter or at all; the need for clinical trials, the occurrence and success of which cannot be assured; intellectual property risks; marketing/manufacturing and partnership/strategic alliance risks; the effect of competition; Helix's need for additional future capital, which may not be available in a timely manner or at all, as well as a description of other risks and uncertainties affecting Helix and its business, as contained in Helix's latest Annual Information Form and other filings with the Canadian Securities Regulatory Authorities at www.sedar.com, any of which could cause actual results to vary materially from current results or Helix's anticipated future results. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of Helix's management at the time they are made, and Helix does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement should those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances change., other than as required by law. The presentation by Helix is subject to cancellation or change without notice.
Investor & Media Relations Ian Stone Russo Partners LLC Tel: (619) 814-3510 Fax: (619) 955-5318 Email: [email protected] Robert Flamm, Ph.D. Russo Partners LLC Tel: (212) 845-4226 Email: [email protected] www.russopartnersllc.com
SOURCE Helix BioPharma Corp.
