Active Biotech presents S100A9 as a target for quinoline compounds


Active Biotech (NASDAQ OMX Nordic: ACTI) has today published data
regarding a molecular target for the quinoline (Q) compounds in the
scientific journal PLoS Biology, Volume 7, Issue 4, April 2009 (which
is an open access journal and the full article is available at
http://biology.plosjournals.org). Three of Active Biotech's projects
(laquinimod, 57-57 and TASQ) belong to this chemical class of
compounds.

The  details  about  the  molecules  and  mechanisms  underlying  the
development of autoimmune  diseases, such as  multiple sclerosis  and
systemic lupus erythematosus, are largely unknown.

In this study it is shown that Q compounds bind to a molecule  called
S100A9 which is expressed in some  white blood cells involved in  the
regulation of immune responses. Furthermore, it is shown that  S100A9
interacts  with  two  known  pro-inflammatory  receptors  (Toll  like
receptor 4 (TLR4)  and receptor  of advanced  glycation end  products
(RAGE)) and that this interaction is inhibited by Q compounds.

The published data describe a new mechanism where S100A9 can  promote
pro-inflammation at early stages of immune activation. These findings
may lead to  an increased  understanding of  the early  steps in  the
development of autoimmune disease.

Lund, April 28, 2009

Active Biotech AB (Publ)

Tomas Leanderson
President & CEO


Link to the journal: http://biology.plosjournals.org

About Active Biotech
Active Biotech AB (NASDAQ OMX NORDIC: ACTI), headquartered in Sweden,
is a biotechnology company with R&D focus on  autoimmune/inflammatory
diseases and cancer.  Projects in  pivotal phase  are laquinimod,  an
orally  administered  small  molecule  with  unique  immunomodulatory
properties for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as well as ANYARA
for use in cancer targeted  therapy, primarily renal cancer.  Further
key projects  in  clinical  development  comprise  the  three  orally
administered compounds TASQ  for prostate cancer,  57-57 for SLE  and
RhuDex(TM)  for  RA.  Please  visit  www.activebiotech.com  for  more
information.


Active Biotech is required under  the Securities Markets Act to  make
the information in  this press  release public.  The information  was
submitted for publication at 08:30 am CET on April 28, 2009.

Active Biotech AB (org. no. 556223-9227)
P.O. Box 724, SE-220 07 Lund, Sweden
Tel +46 46-19 20 00
Fax +46 46-19 11 00