SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 9, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Hana Biosciences (Nasdaq:HNAB), a biopharmaceutical company focused on strengthening the foundation of cancer care, today announced that it will be presenting data on three compounds utilizing its OPTISOME(tm) Nanoparticle Technology at the "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics" International Conference sponsored by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) taking place October 22-26, 2007 at the Moscone Convention Center West in San Francisco, CA.
Hana will present the first clinical data related to vinorelbine Optisomes (Alocrest(tm)) in a poster presentation of Abstract #A150 titled "A phase 1 and pharmacokinetic (PK) study of vinorelbine liposomes injection in patients with advanced solid tumors, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease" on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. PDT.
Hana Biosciences will also present nonclinical data related to each of the Optisome compounds during Poster Session C, Novel Drug Delivery Systems, on Thursday, October 25, 2007 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. PDT:
Abstract #C111 -- "Vincristine sulfate liposomes injection concentrates vincristine in tumor tissue and bone marrow of tumor-bearing mice."
Abstract #C109 -- "Vinorelbine liposomes injection results in greater tumor drug exposure compared to conventional vinorelbine in tumor-bearing nude mice."
Abstract #C11 -- "A pharmacokinetic study of a novel sphingomyelin/cholesterol liposomal topotecan and nonliposomal topotecan in rats."
About Alocrest(tm) (vinorelbine tartrate injection, OPTISOME(tm))
Alocrest is a novel sphingomyelin/cholesterol liposome-encapsulated vinorelbine formulation. Vinorelbine, a semi-synthetic vinca alkaloid, is a microtubule inhibitor that has been approved for use as a single agent or in combination with cisplatin for the first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Vinorelbine is also widely used for the treatment of breast cancer. Preclinical comparison data with Alocrest demonstrates improved PK to include approximately two orders of magnitude increase in area under the curve, roughly a 10 fold increase in preferential accumulation in tumors, and an improved therapeutic index of 1.7-3.5 fold.
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 advance 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.
The Hana Biosciences, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3290
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 Alocrest 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.