2007'02.01.Thu
BioWa and Aphton Announce Licensing of BioWa's POTELLIGENT(TM) Technology

February 14, 2006

Aphton to Use BioWa's POTELLIGENT(TM) Antibody Technology for Development of Preclinical IGN312 Anti-Lewis Y antibody
PRINCETON, N.J. and PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- BioWa, Inc. and Aphton Corporation today announced that BioWa has granted a non-exclusive license to Apthon's wholly-owned subsidiary, Igeneon, to use BioWa's POTELLIGENT(TM) technology for the development of IGN312, a humanized monoclonal Lewis Y-specific antibody. Aphton, through Igeneon, develops IGN312 as a next-generation antibody based on IGN311, which is currently in a Phase I/II clinical trial in patients with Lewis Y-positive cancers. Aphton plans to use BioWa's POTELLIGENT(TM) technology for the development of a next-generation Lewis Y-specific antibody with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Lewis Y is a tumor-related antigen expressed in up to 90% of all epithelial cancers, which include breast, colon, gastric and pancreatic cancers. BioWa's POTELLIGENT(TM) technology has the potential to increase the ADCC activity of an antibody, resulting in greater capacity to destroy tumor cells. "We are very pleased to be working with an innovative cancer immunotherapy company like Igeneon, who has successfully progressed its antibody program to the clinical stage," said Nobuo Hanai, Ph.D., President and CEO of BioWa, Inc. "This licensing agreement enforces BioWa's strategy to bring about more effective and safe treatments for cancer." "We look forward to the rapid application of the POTELLIGENT(TM) technology, which has the potential to effectively increase the potency of IGN312 as an anti-cancer treatment," said Patrick Mooney, MD, Chairman and CEO of Aphton Corporation. "Entering into this partnership with BioWa is an important step in our efforts to continue to develop promising product candidates to fuel our clinical pipeline in the future." This agreement was mediated by FHR Consult ( http://www.fhrconsult.com ) on behalf of BioWa. About IGN311 and IGN312 IGN311 is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the Lewis Y carbohydrate antigen, a blood-group-related oligosaccharide. Lewis Y is over-expressed in up to 90% of all epithelial cancers and its expression on adult normal tissues is very restricted; hence IGN311 has the potential to target a broad range of carcinomas. IGN311 is designed to exert clinical effects by destruction of tumor cells by activation of effector functions and by selective growth inhibition via functional receptors. IGN312 is a next-generation antibody based on IGN311. About Aphton Corporation Aphton Corporation, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer. Aphton's products seek to empower the body's own immune system to fight disease. Through the acquisition of Igeneon AG in March 2005, Aphton acquired late-stage products, IGN101, a cancer vaccine designed to induce an immune response against EpCAM-positive tumor cells, as well as IGN311 and IGN312. Aphton has strategic alliances with Xoma for treating gastrointestinal and other gastrin-sensitive cancers using anti-gastrin monoclonal and other antibodies; Daiichi Pure Chemicals for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of gastrin-related diagnostic kits; and Celltrion for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of IGN311 in certain countries in Asia. Aphton's most advanced product, Insegia(TM), targets the hormone, gastrin 17, in an attempt to treat gastrointestinal cancers. Aphton is currently seeking partners to support the further development of Insegia. For more information about Aphton or its programs please visit Aphton's website at http://www.aphton.com . About POTELLIGENT(TM) Technology ADCC activity is an important function of the human immune system, whereby immune cells can kill target cells, e.g. cancer cells. As demonstrated by several anti-cancer therapeutic antibodies in the market today, ADCC activity plays a critical mechanism in the killing of tumor cells. Enhancement of this activity is one promising approach in the next generation of antibody technologies. POTELLIGENT(TM) technology involves the reduction of the amount of fucose in the carbohydrate structure of an antibody. Research shows that POTELLIGENT(TM) technology significantly enhances ADCC activity in vitro and in vivo. One potential benefit of POTELLIGENT(TM) technology derived therapeutic antibodies is greater tumor cell killing activity than with conventional antibodies. About BioWa, Inc. BioWa, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd., Japan's leading pharmaceutical and largest biotech company. BioWa is the exclusive worldwide licensor of POTELLIGENT(TM) technology, which creates high ADCC monoclonal antibodies. BioWa is currently developing ADCC enhanced monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics to fight cancer, asthma and other life-threatening and debilitating diseases and both BioWa and Kyowa have POTELLIGENT(TM) antibody products in various clinical stages. BioWa creates and develops enhanced ADCC antibodies for itself and others, offering a full range of antibody discovery and development capabilities. For more information about BioWa visit its web site at http://www.biowa.com . POTELLIGENT(TM) is the trademark of Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. All rights are reserved. Safe Harbor This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements about Aphton's expectations regarding: (1) Aphton's plan to use BioWa's POTELLIGENT(TM) technology for the development of a next-generation Lewis Y-specific antibody with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity; (2) the potential of BioWa's POTELLIGENT(TM) technology to increase the ADCC activity of an antibody, resulting in greater capacity to destroy tumor cells; (3) the potential benefits to Aphton resulting from the licensing agreement, including the rapid application of the POTELLIGENT(TM) technology in an attempt to effectively increase the potency of IGN312 as an anti-cancer treatment; (4) Aphton's belief that this new relationship with BioWa is an important first step in Aphton's efforts to continue to develop promising product candidates to fuel Aphton's clinical pipeline in the future; (5) the potential of IGN311 to target a broad range of carcinomas, destroy tumor cells, and exert clinical effects by destruction of tumor cells; and (6) Aphton's intent to seek partners to further support the development of Insegia. These forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Aphton undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in Aphton's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including Aphton's report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 16, 2005. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: (1) the risks and uncertainties inherent in the drug development process and in Aphton's business; (2) the ability of Aphton and BioWa to successfully collaborate in the research and development of IGN312; (3) the possibility that BioWa's POTELLIGENT(TM) technology may not have the desired effect on antibodies; (4) the timing or results of ongoing and future clinical trials for IGN312; (5) the ability of Aphton to obtain regulatory approval for IGN312, fund the development, manufacture and commercialization of IGN312, and gain commercial acceptance of IGN312; (6) the ability of any approved third parties to manufacture and supply IGN312 in commercial quantities; (7) the ability of Aphton to fund the development, manufacturing and commercialization of IGN312; (8) Aphton's ability to find a partner who will support the further development of Insegia; (9) intellectual property risks; (10) the impact of competitive products and pricing; and (10) changing economic conditions. For more information, please contact: Nobuo Hanai, Ph.D., President and CEO BioWa, Inc. Tel: +1-609-580-7500 x7501 Martina Molsbergen, Vice President, Business Development BioWa, Inc. Tel: +1-609-580-7500 x7506 Patrick Mooney, M.D., President and CEO, Aphton Corporation Tel: +1-215-218-4377 Gerda Redl, Ph.D., Vice President, Business Management Aphton Corporation Tel: +43-1-90250-122 SOURCE BioWa, Inc.
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