Oxis ‘TriKE’ Drug Shows Promise, Receives “Editors’ Choice” Honor from Science Translational Medicine

LOS ANGELES / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2016 / Oxis International Inc. (OTCQB: OXIS and OXI.PA), which recently began enrolling and treating patients in an FDA-approved Phase 1/Phase 2 clinical trial of its cancer drug, OXS-1550, is also making progress in its development of modified bispecific antibodies as immunotherapy cancer drugs.

The medical journal Science Translational Medicine recently highlighted research by Dr. Daniel Vallera and Dr. Jeffrey Miller, members of Oxis Biotech Inc.’s Scientific Advisory Board about their discovery that the bispecific antibody platform could be modified to amplify the expansion immune cells that kill cancer. Oxis Biotech is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxis.

Science Translational Medicine designated Vallera’s research as an “Editors’ Choice,” and said, “TriKEs were superior in restoring potent antigen-specific NK cell responses against AML targets and mediated robust and specific NK cell proliferation.”

Anthony J. Cataldo, chief executive of Oxis, said the publication emphasizes the significance of Vallera’s work.

“Being chosen as an Editors’ Choice demonstrates the level of interest and potential of this emerging TriKE technology,” Mr. Cataldo said.

Mr. Cataldo also noted that TriKE technology has several benefits compared to CAR-T therapy, which is very expensive and has been shown to carry significant side effects. Both Kite Pharma (Nasdaq: KITE) and Juno Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: JUNO) have gained significant attention for their CAR-T efforts.

Dr. Vallera said: “The significance of TriKEs is they not only enhance the killing of cancer cells by immune cells like bispecific antibodies that have demonstrated clinical success, but they have the added dimension of amplifying the number of cancer cell killers.”

“Instead of one soldier, you recruit an entire army of cancer cell killers.”

Mr. Cataldo said Oxis’ work on TriKE drugs expands the promise of the company’s pipeline.

“Our ability to use these targeted immunotherapies allows us to create off-the-shelf drugs that are much more cost-effective than the CAR-T technologies and much less invasive on the patient,” Mr. Cataldo said. “It will also serve a much larger audience at a reduced cost.”

ABOUT OXIS INTERNATIONAL, INC. – Oxis International, Inc., through a wholly owned subsidiary, Oxis Biotech, Inc., develops 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 simultaneously targets cancer cells expressing the CD19 receptor or CD22 receptor or both receptors. When OXS-1550 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

SOURCE: Oxis International, Inc.

ReleaseID: 441836