VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada, Oct. 29, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- As a follow-up to last week's announcement of validation trials, Dr. John Todd, president of ProtoKinetix (OTCBB:PKTX), states how this will fast track the development of therapeutic products. By entering into a relationship with the Georges Pompidou Hospital, ProtoKinetix has the ability to access a vast pool of credible researchers in the European community.
European Hospital Georges Pompidou, of Paris, France, is the most modern full-service hospital in Europe. Completed only 3 years ago, it has become the flagship of European health care and is already one of the most advanced hospitals and research centers in the world.
A member of ProtoKinetix scientific advisory board, Dr. Ricardo Moro, has demonstrated that the presence of alpha fetaprotein in the human body (other than in pregnant women) is a non-specific indicator of the existence of cancer in the system. He believes, as does ProtoKinetix, that the RECAF(tm) receptor site exists as a specific receptor site for alpha fetaprotein.
The development of monoclonal antibodies to the highly specific carbohydrate molecule attached to the RECAF(tm) protein will allow the engineering of a Super-antibody created to target and kill malignant cells.
Following these trials, ProtoKinetix will generate antibodies to the RECAF(tm) receptor site and identify those that are most specific and do not have an affinity to healthy cells.
The conversion of the selected antibody to a humanized targeted killer is a function of molecular engineering that is readily attainable.
ProtoKinetix Inc. is a therapeutic development company whose mission is to develop effective biological therapeutics for the treatment of malignancies. The company has focused on the new generation of monoclonal antibodies termed "Super-antibodies." We have been licensed to use Super-antibody technology to produce antibodies expressed against the RECAF(tm) receptor site on the cell surface of a variety of malignancies. ProtoKinetix will use this technology to create therapeutic antibodies to help in the treatment of cancer. ProtoKinetix is positioned to leverage existing products and intellectual property through a series of collaborative relationships into effective therapeutic agents.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward -looking statements. Some information included in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking. Such forward-looking information involves significant risks and uncertainties that could affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, these results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Dr. John Todd, President