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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 ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN PATENT ALLOWANCE TO PROTECT VIRULIZIN(R)
-European patent allowance protects intellectual property for Virulizin(R)
in a strategically important marketplace
TSE: LOR
OTC BB: LORFF
TORONTO, JUNE 24, 2003 - Lorus Therapeutics Inc. ("Lorus") reported today that
it has received notice from the European Patent Office of the allowance of a
patent, which protects the company's intellectual property for its lead
immunotherapeutic anticancer drug, Virulizin(R).
The patent titled, "Immunomodulating Compositions from Bile", specifically
protects the composition and use of Virulizin(R) for the treatment of cancer. It
is the first Virulizin(R) patent that has been allowed in Europe and adds to the
roster of countries that have previously granted Virulizin(R) patents including
the United States, Mexico, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Korea
and Singapore.
"Although clinical trials with Virulizin(R) are not presently being performed in
Europe, Lorus' global development strategy includes expansion into this
important market," said Dr. Jim Wright, CEO, Lorus. "As such, we believe that
European patent protection is important to Lorus' future marketing strategy."
Virulizin(R) is currently in a pivotal Phase III clinical trial in North and
Latin America for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and was awarded orphan drug
status and fast track status from the United States Food and Drug Administration
in clinical investigations for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Virulizin is
approved in Mexico for the treatment of malignant melanoma and is commercially
available in Mexico through Lorus' marketing partner.
(more)
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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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