Texas University of Health Center at San Antonio

Dr. David Bearss, an oncology researcher and biotech start-up founder, spoke with CancerVAX CEO Ryan Davies on the future of oncology therapeutics LEHI, Utah, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CancerVAX, Inc., developer of a breakthrough universal cancer vaccine that will use the body’s immune system to fight cancer, reported that CEO Ryan Davies spoke with oncology researcher and biotech trailblazer Dr. David Bearss on his experience with cancer therapeutics and advice for young biotechnology companies. David Bearss, Ph.D., University of Texas Health Science Center, Co-Director of the Center of Investigational Therapeutics and Associate Professor at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Department of Oncological Services. Dr. Bearss started his career in biotech with his B.S. in Human Biology from BYU. After receiving his Ph.D., Dr. Bearss started at the Cancer Therapy Research Center; later, he became Co-Director of Genetically Modified Mice at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. Dr. Bearss was an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona’s Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology before leaving academia for private industry. Dr. Bearss was the Co-Founder and CSO of MonoGen Pharmaceuticals. Before becoming VP, CSO, and Chief Scientist of SuperGen, Dr. Bearss sold MonoGen. Over his academic career, Dr. Bearss trained 20 postdoctoral fellows, published 40 manuscripts and publications, authored 3 book chapters, and is listed as an inventor on 25 patents. Dr. Bearss touched on some of his recent work regarding cancer therapy: “We’ve discovered we have a mechanism to turn off a specific type of chronic inflammatory signaling.” During the discussion, Dr. Bearss noted that targeting this pathway can target specific types of cancer. Before closing, Dr. Bearss advised young biotech companies, “You need to follow what the science is telling you. You can’t pound a round peg into a square hole.” CancerVAX CEO Ryan Davies noted his excitement to speak with biotechnology leader Dr. David Bearss, “Dr. Bearss brings decades of cancer research experience to the table. As a company focused on the immunology side of cancer treatment, Dr. Bearss’ years of experience and advice are greatly appreciated.” This CEO Chat can be viewed at For more information about CancerVax, please visit . About Us CancerVAX, Inc. is a pre-clinical biotechnology company developing a breakthrough universal cancer vaccine that will use the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Working with a team of experienced cancer researchers and physicians at UCLA, we intend to create a Universal Cancer Vaccine that will detect, mark, and destroy only the diseased cells with an incredibly high level of precision. Much like the COVID-19 vaccines that train the body to recognize and destroy the coronavirus, our cancer vaccine will leverage the body’s own immune system to destroy cancer cells. As we develop our universal cancer vaccine, we are also working with UCLA to develop single-disease cancer treatments targeting Ewing sarcoma, a rare but deadly bone and soft tissue cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. We look forward to the day when treating cancer will be as simple as getting a flu shot. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Press Contact: CancerVAX, Inc. Tel: (805) 356-1810 communications@CancerVAX.com

HOBOKEN, N.J. and PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Niiki Pharma Inc. announced interim results from the ongoing Phase I clinical trial of its lead product, NKP-1339. NKP-1339 is a first-in-class transferrin targeted small molecule that down-regulates GRP78, a key regulator of mis-folded protein processing and a tumor survival factor. NKP-1339 Phase I Interim Data The Phase I trial is conducted in patients with metastatic solid tumors resistant to standard therapies. Previous to enrollment in the trial, all patients had received multiple standard therapies and exhibited disease progression on their last treatment. Of the first 24 patients enrolled, six patients (25%) exhibited anti-tumor activity, demonstrated by disease stability and/or tumor regression for at least 12 weeks. Of the responding six patients, one patient with carcinoid tumor, a non-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (non-pNET), has tumor regression and continues on NKP-1339 therapy for more than 70 weeks. The five other patients have experienced stable disease of up to 24 weeks with NKP-1339 treatment. These patients have the following tumor types: one gastrinoma non-pNET, one colorectal cancer, two non-small cell lung cancers and one cancer of unknown primary. NKP-1339 treatment has been well tolerated to date with mild manageable side effects. The most common drug-related side effects are grade 1-2 fever and mild flu-like symptoms, which can be prevented with standard medications. The maximum tolerated dose has not been reached and NKP-1339 dose escalation continues. The trial is being led by Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare in partnership with Translational Genomics Institute (TGen), and Dr. Howard Burris, Director of Drug Development at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI). "We need new treatments for patients with non-pNET. The NKP-1339 anti-tumor activity observed in these two non-pNET patients is significant. This activity, together with mild-side effect profile, makes NKP-1339 a potentially promising new treatment for this disease," said Dr. Daniel Von Hoff. "It is gratifying to see someone whose tumor has been resistant to other therapies do well with this promising investigational therapy. The patient has received NKP-1339 for more than a year and continues to benefit," added Dr. Howard Burris. "We are pleased by these interim results demonstrating the single agent anti-tumor activity of NKP-1339 in patients with advanced cancers refractory to standard treatments," said Dr. Angela Ogden, Chief Medical Officer for Niiki Pharma Inc. "The preliminary results of this ongoing trial, showing the anti-tumor activity and the safety pro NKP-1339, support our preclinical studies that the drug targets tumors selectively and is active against different tumors. We are delighted to see years of research come to fruition in collaboration with Niiki Pharma's team," said Professor Keppler, University of Vienna, inventor of NKP-1339. About NKP-1339 NKP-1339 is a first-in-class transferrin targeted ruthenium-based anti-cancer compound. Transferrin receptor is significantly over-expressed in many tumor types. The intracellular target pathways of NKP-1339 include down-regulation of GRP78, a key regulator of mis-folded protein processing and a tumor survival factor. GRP78 is the cause of resistance in many tumor types. In preclinical studies, NKP-1339 has demonstrated activity against multiple tumor types, including those resistant to other anti-cancer agents, including platinum-containing agents, anthracyclines and anti-tubulins. NKP-1339 was invented by Professor Bernard K. Keppler, currently the Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry at University of Vienna, Austria, and Head of the Research Platform "Translational Cancer Therapy Research", a multi-disciplinary collaboration between University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna. Professor Keppler is a member of the Vienna Board of Trustees for Innovative and Interdisciplinary Cancer Research, the current President of the Austrian Association of University Professors, and a founding member of the Central European Society of Anticancer-Drug Research. He is on the Editorial Boards of several scientific journals, including: Anticancer Research, Chemical Monthly, Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications, Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry (2005-2009) and Current Chemical Biology. About NKP-1339 Phase I Trial Principal Investigators Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, M.D., F.A.C.P., is the Physician-in-Chief and Distinguished Professor at Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials, at Scottsdale Healthcare in partnership with TGen in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Chief Scientific Officer for US Oncology. He was appointed to and served six years on President Bush's National Cancer Advisory Board and was past President of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) a former Board member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the 2010 recipient of the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award by ASCO for his outstanding achievements in cancer research. Dr. Howard Burris, M.D., F.A.C.P., is the Director of Drug Development for SCRI, a Nashville, Tennessee, global clinical research organization focusing on advancing therapies and accelerating drug development in areas such as oncology, cardiology and gastroenterology and a member of Tennessee Oncology. He is also a member of the ASCO Ethics, Clinical Practice and Program Committees, Board member of Gilda's Club, Past-President and Trustee for the Southern Association of Oncology, and Editor of the Oncology Report. About Niiki Pharma Inc. Niiki Pharma Inc. is an oncology therapeutics development company, which is focused on development of targeted first-in-class treatments for cancer. LinksNiiki Pharma Inc. Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, TGen Dr. Howard Burris, SCRI Professor Bernard K. Keppler, University of Vienna SOURCE Niiki Pharma Inc.