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CONTACTS:
LORUS THERAPEUTICS INC. CANADIAN MEDIA CONTACT: US MEDIA CONTACT:
Corporate Communications Hugh Mansfield Jennifer Taylor
Grace Tse Mansfield Communications Inc. Mansfield Communications Inc.
Tel: (416) 798-1200, ext.380 Tel: (416) 599-0024 Tel: (212) 370-5045
Email:ir@lorusthera.com Email: hugh@mcipr.com E-mail: jennifer@mcipr.com
LORUS THERAPEUTICS ALLOWED UNITED STATES PATENT TO PROTECT INVENTION
OF NOVEL ANTISENSE ANTIMICROBIAL DRUGS
- Patent protects novel antimicrobial drug development program -
TSE: LOR
OTC BB: LORFF
TORONTO, MAY 13, 2003 - Lorus Therapeutics Inc. ('Lorus') announced today that
the United States Patent Office has allowed a patent, which protects the
antimicrobial component of the company's antisense drug development program. The
patent titled, 'Antisense Oligonucleotide Sequences As Inhibitors of
Microorganisms,' protects Lorus' technology on the design and use of unique
antisense, antimicrobial agents that target specific gene sequences.
The patent covers the gene targets, SecA and Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR),
which are necessary for growth and viability of microorganisms. SecA is an
important component of a process required for secretion of bacterial proteins,
which is an essential event in the life cycle of pathogenic organisms. RNR is a
central enzyme in the formation of components required for DNA synthesis and
proliferation. Since the functions of these gene products are needed for
survival they are ideal targets for drug development strategies.
"An increasing concern over the appearance of drug resistant microorganisms has
led to an increased interest in the development of novel antimicrobial
therapeutics" said Dr. Jim A. Wright, chief executive officer, Lorus. "This
patent and the one recently allowed in Canada and announced on April 9, 2003,
provides protection in North America for an antisense antimicrobial discovery
program. It is clear that novel therapeutic agents are required to develop new
approaches to deal with life threatening infections that resist conventional
treatments."
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About Lorus
Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of
cancer therapies. Lorus' goal is to capitalize on its research, pre-clinical,
clinical and regulatory expertise by developing new drug candidates that can be
used, either alone, or in combination, to successfully manage cancer. Through
its own discovery efforts and an active acquisition and in-licensing program,
Lorus is building a portfolio of promising anti-cancer drugs. Late-stage
clinical developments and marketing will be done in cooperation with strategic
pharmaceutical partners. Founded in 1986, Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is a public
company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LOR, and on the
OTC BB exchange under the symbol LORFF.
Except for historical information, this press release contains forward-looking
statements, which reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future
events. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which
may cause actual results to differ materially from those statements. Those risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changing market conditions,
the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of
corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product
development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other
risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's ongoing quarterly filings,
annual information form, annual reports and 20-F filings.
Lorus Therapeutics Inc.'s press releases are available through the Company's
Internet site: http://www.lorusthera.com.
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