[ACCESSWIRE]
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 16, 2016 / Oxis International Inc. (OTCQB: OXIS and Euronext Paris OXI.PA) announced today that Dr. Daniel Vallera, a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of its wholly owned subsidiary, Oxis Biotech Inc., has been invited to speak to leading cancer researchers at the World Bispecific summit.
Dr. Vallera, director of the section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center, said he will discuss Trispecific Killer Engager (TriKE) technology developed by researchers at the university. TriKE therapy helps natural killer (NK) cells target and destroy cancer cells.
Oxis recently signed an agreement with the University of Minnesota to develop and commercialize TriKE cancer therapies. The company named Dr. Vallera to its Scientific Advisory Board earlier this year.
Dr. Vallera was instrumental in the development of Oxis' promising cancer therapy, OXS-1550, which is currently in an FDA Phase 1/Phase 2 clinical trial in Minnesota. OXS-1550 is a bispecific cancer therapy that empowers the body's immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells alone.
The World Bispecific summit is a gathering of top cancer researchers who specialize in bispecific cancer therapies. It will be held Sept. 28 to Sept. 30 in Boston.
Dr. Vallera will be joined by researchers and scientists from several of the world's top pharmaceutical companies, including Amgen, Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Pfizer, Roche, and many others.
Dr. Vallera has spent 35 years with the University of Minnesota's cancer center, where he oversees a laboratory specializing in the development of biological recombinant drugs focusing on bispecific antibody therapies that directly deliver toxic signals to cancer cells.
Anthony Cataldo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Oxis, said Dr. Vallera's invitation is an indication that his work is widely recognized by his peers.
"We have received many requests for more information about the TriKE platform we have licensed from the University Of Minnesota," Mr. Cataldo said. "There is keen interest from the biotech community, which is now realizing the potential for this platform technology and how it addresses the future of Targeted Immunotherapy."
"The ability to target specific cancers with an off-the-shelf technology allows us a more cost-effective and more user-friendly approach than costly and labor-intensive CAR-T programs from Kite Pharma Inc. (KITE) or Juno Therapeutics Inc. (JUNO)."
Dr. Vallera said: "I am pleased to present our disruptive next generation TriKE technology to the World Bispecific Summit 2016. We have received many request for more information about our Tri-specific NK platform and this is a good forum to discuss this."
About Oxis Biotech, Inc.: Oxis Biotech is an immuno-oncology focused company developing innovative drugs focused on the treatment of cancer and other unmet medical needs. OXIS' lead drug candidate, OXS-1550 (DT2219ARL) is a novel bispecific scFv recombinant fusion protein-drug conjugate composed of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-CD19 and anti-CD22 antibodies and a modified form of diphtheria toxin as its cytotoxic drug payload. OXS-1550 targets cancer cells expressing the CD19 receptor or CD22 receptor or both receptors. When OXS-2175 binds to cancer cells, the cancer cells internalize the drug and are killed due to the action of drug's cytotoxic payload. OXS-1550 has demonstrated success in early human clinical trials in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma or leukemia. OXS-4235 is a small molecule therapeutic candidate targeting the treatment of multiple myeloma and associated osteolytic lesions. In in vitro and in vivo models of multiple myeloma and osteoporosis, OXS-4235 demonstrated the ability to kill multiple myeloma cells, and decrease osteolytic lesions in bone. OXIS' lead drug candidate, OXS-2175, is a small molecule therapeutic candidate targeting the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In in vitro and in vivo models of TNBC, OXS-2175 demonstrated the ability to inhibit metastasis.
Forward-Looking Statements: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently unreliable and actual results may differ materially. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the payment of dividends, marketing and distribution plans, development activities and anticipated operating results. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include such factors as the Company's ability to accomplish its business initiatives, significant fluctuations in marketing expenses and ability to achieve and expand significant levels of revenues, or recognize net income, from the sale of its products and services, as well as the introduction of competing products, or management's ability to attract and maintain qualified personnel necessary for the development and commercialization of its planned products, and other information that may be detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Company website: www.oxis.com
Media contact:
Stuart Pfeifer, Sitrick & Co.
(310) 788-2850
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SOURCE: Oxis International Inc.
