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CONTACTS:
LORUS THERAPEUTICS INC. CANADIAN MEDIA CONTACT: US MEDIA CONTACT:
Corporate Communications Hugh Mansfield Amy Banek
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: amy@mcipr.com
LORUS THERAPEUTICS ALLOWED MEXICAN PATENT TO PROTECT LEAD PRODUCT VIRULIZIN(R)
- PATENT PROTECTS VIRULIZIN(R) IN ITS FIRST COMMERCIAL MARKET PLACE -
TSE: LOR
OTC BB: LORFF
TORONTO, CANADA, FEBRUARY 17, 2003 - Lorus Therapeutics Inc. ("Lorus") announced
today that a patent was allowed by the Mexican Patent Office to protect the
company's intellectual property involving its lead immunotherapy drug,
Virulizin(R).
The patent titled, 'Immunomodulator Composition, Process for Preparation,
Pharmaceutical Compositions that Contain it and Uses of Same,' protects both the
composition and use of Virulizin(R) for the treatment of cancer.
"This recent patent allowance fortifies our intellectual property position in
Mexico, where Virulizin(R) is approved for the treatment of malignant melanoma,"
said Dr. Jim Wright, CEO, Lorus. "The allowance is critically important to our
strategic plan for maximizing the value of Virulizin(R) in its first commercial
marketplace."
Lorus and Mayne Pharma have entered into an exclusive seven-year distribution
agreement for Mexico. Under the terms of the agreement, Lorus receives royalties
from the sales of Virulizin(R) and is responsible for manufacturing the drug.
Mayne Pharma recently exercised its option for similar agreements for Brazil and
Argentina.
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Virulizin(R) has been shown to be a non-toxic immunotherapy that recruits
natural killer cells, moncoytes and macrophages, to attack tumor cells. In
pre-clinical and clinical studies, Virulizin(R) has proven to be a well
tolerated and an effective drug capable of antitumor activity in a range of
cancer types, such as malignant melanoma and pancreatic cancer.
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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