SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 27, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Hana Biosciences (Nasdaq:HNAB), a biopharmaceutical company focused on strengthening the foundation of cancer care, today announced that it will present data on Marqibo(r) (vincristine sulfate injection, OPTISOME(tm)) at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) taking place December 8-11, 2007 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Deborah A. Thomas from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center will present key clinical data on relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients, a similar patient population for Hana's recently initiated rALLy study. rALLy is a Phase 2, registration-enabling clinical trial of Marqibo in adults with Philadelphia chromosome negative ALL in second relapse or after failing two prior lines therapy. The company will also present data from non-clinical studies of Marqibo.
Both posters will be presented during Poster Session I on Saturday, December 8, 2007 from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm E.T. in Halls B3 and B4 in the Georgia World Congress Center.
Publication #858, Poster Board #12 -- "Safety and Efficacy of Marqibo (Vincristine Sulfate Liposomes Injection, OPTISOME(tm)) for the Treatment of Adults with Relapsed or Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)." Session Name: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemias: Therapy, excluding Transplantation
Publication #1403, Poster Board #557 -- "Marqibo (Vincristine Sulfate Liposomes Injection, OPTISOME(tm)) Concentrates Vincristine in Tumor Tissue and Lymphoid Malignancy Oriented Tissues in Tumor-Bearing Mice." Session Name: Lymphoma: Pre-Clinical: Chemotherapy and Biologic Agents
About Marqibo(r) (vincristine sulfate injection, OPTISOME(tm))
Marqibo, a novel, targeted, Optisomal formulation of vincristine, has shown promising anti-cancer activity in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and melanoma in several clinical trials. Vincristine is FDA-approved as a single agent and in combination regimens for the treatment of hematologic malignancies such as lymphomas and leukemias. Vincristine, a microtubule inhibitor, kills cancer cells when they enter a very specific point in the cell cycle, and its efficacy is concentration- and exposure duration-dependent. Marqibo is believed to extend the circulation time of vincristine in the bloodstream, increase targeting of the drug to malignant cells, and enhance exposure duration at the site of the disease. Unlike regular vincristine, Marqibo is dosed based on patient body surface area without the need to limit the dose to avoid neurotoxicities.
About OPTISOME(tm) Nanoparticle Technology
Optisomes are a new generation of unique sphingomyelin/cholesterol-based nanoparticles designed to encapsulate cell cycle-specific chemotherapeutics designed for improved efficacy with reduced toxicity. Optisomes are approximately 100 nanometers in diameter and able to encapsulate and transport cancer drugs preferentially to tumor sites. While too large to easily migrate out of normal blood vessels, Optisomes are able to migrate across the more "leaky" vasculature of a tumor, resulting in higher concentrations of drugs at tumor sites than in normal tissue. Optisomes' unique sphingomyelin-cholesterol composition is particularly well suited to cell cycle-specific agents such as vincristine, vinorelbine and topotecan. The relative rigidity of the Optisomes' outer shell results in a long circulating half-life and sustained drug release at the tumor site, which may increase tumor cell exposure during the most vulnerable phases of cell division. Combined, these factors are key to the Optisome advantage as sustained drug exposure increases tumor cell death. Hana's Optisome pipeline includes Marqibo(r) (vincristine), Alocrest(tm) (vinorelbine) and Optisomal topotecan.
About Hana Biosciences, Inc.
Hana Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:HNAB) is a South San Francisco, CA-based biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing innovative products to strengthen the foundation of cancer care. The company is committed to creating value by building a best in-class team, accelerating the development of lead product candidates, expanding its pipeline by being the alliance partner of choice, and nurturing a unique company culture. Additional information on Hana Biosciences can be found at www.hanabiosciences.com.
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This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "believes," "intends," and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding the timing, progress and anticipated results of the clinical development, regulatory processes, potential clinical trial initiations, potential IND and NDA filings and commercialization efforts of Hana's product candidates, including its Marqibo product candidate. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Hana's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurances that any of Hana's development efforts relating to its other product candidates will be successful, that Hana will be able to obtain regulatory approval of any of its product candidates, and that the results of clinical trials will support Hana's claims or beliefs concerning the effectiveness of its product candidates. Additional risks that may affect such forward-looking statements include Hana's need to raise additional capital to fund its product development programs to completion, Hana's reliance on third-party researchers to develop its product candidates, and its lack of experience in developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products. Additional risks are described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Hana assumes no obligation to update these statements, except as required by law.