L-DOS47 lung cancer research findings at Zurich conference

[RandyW]

Helix BioPharma to present L-DOS47 lung cancer research findings at Zurich conference

AURORA, ON, June 26 /CNW/ - Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP), a developer

of novel cancer therapeutics, today announced that Dr. Heman Chao, VP

Research, will be presenting a poster at the 5th Annual Congress on

Recombinant Antibodies Conference, in Zurich Switzerland. The poster entitled

"L-DOS47 - a novel lung adenocarcinoma specific immuno-conjugate therapeutic",

highlights the ability of L-DOS47 to target and kill lung tumour cells in

vitro and in tumour bearing mice, as well as L-DOS47's ability to enhance the

effect of weakly basic chemotherapeutics. L-DOS47 is the first

immuno-conjugate therapeutic candidate derived from Helix's novel anti-cancer

DOS47 platform technology.

The poster further highlights L-DOS47's ability to bind specifically to

human lung adenocarcinoma as shown by tissue specific staining. Imaging

studies using A549 xenografts and intravenously administered labelled L-DOS47

showed that the drug molecule preferentially accumulated at the tumour site

and persisted at the site for more than 72 hours, consistent with strong

antibody binding. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that L-DOS47

potentiated the cytotoxic effect of a number of chemotherapeutics. In some

instances, less than one tenth of the normal drug dose was required to achieve

the desired inhibition of cell growth.

"These early findings provide further evidence of the specific nature of

the targeting antibody in our immuno-conjugate, as well as provides evidence

that L-DOS47 may have the ability to enhance the action of currently marketed

chemotherapeutic products," said Dr. Don Segal, President and CEO of Helix

BioPharma Corp. "They are encouraging and suggest that L-DOS47 may have

potential as a lung cancer therapy."

A copy of the presentation will be available on Helix's website for

download (http://www.helixbiopharma.com).

During the same conference, Helix's collaboration partner, the Institute

for Biological Sciences of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC-IBS)

will be presenting research work on the antibody that is used in L-DOS47. Dr.

Jianbing Zhang of NRC-IBS has been selected by the organizing committee to

give an oral presentation entitled "ES1, A pentabody with novel specificity to

non-small cell lung carcinoma."

The 5th Annual Congress on Recombinant Antibodies Conference is organized

by Informa Life Sciences and runs from June 27 to June 30th at the Renaissance

Zurich Hotel in Zurich Switzerland. The conference is a premier meeting place

for scientists and executives from the biotechnology and pharmaceutical

industries, as well as academics, to showcase the latest research innovations

related to antibodies and immuno-conjugates for human therapies.

About the National Research Council Institute for Biological Sciences

(NRC-IBS)

Recognized globally for research and innovation, the NRC is a leader in

the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through

science and technology. The NRC operates world-class research facilities, as

well as information, technology and innovation support networks from coast to

coast. Its outstanding people help turn ideas and knowledge into new products,

processes and services, creating value for Canada. The NRC works hand in hand

with partners from industry, government and universities to help ignite the

spark of innovation in communities across the land and to give Canadian

companies a competitive edge in today's marketplace (www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca). With

over 75 years of research excellence, the NRC Institute for Biological

Sciences (NRC-IBS) consists of a team of leading life science researchers

dedicated to spearheading the next breakthrough discoveries and technologies

in neurobiology, immunobiology and glycobiology. Driven by these challenges,

NRC-IBS is focused on innovative research of interest to the healthcare and

pharmaceutical sectors.

About Helix BioPharma

Helix BioPharma Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the

field of cancer therapy. The Company is actively developing innovative

products for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on its proprietary

technologies. Helix's product development initiatives include its Topical

Interferon Alpha-2b, for the treatment of conditions caused by the human

papilloma virus, and its novel L-DOS47 new drug candidate. Helix is listed on

the TSX under the symbol "HBP".

The Toronto and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges have not reviewed and do not

accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this News

Release. The presentations referred to in this News Release are subject to

change or cancellation without notice. Helix BioPharma Corp. ("Helix" or the

"Company") has relied solely on NRC-IBS for the information about NRC-IBS

provided in this News Release and the Company disclaims any liability with

respect to such information. Helix disclaims responsibility for information

contained in any linked or referenced website, and such links and references

do not constitute an endorsement by Helix of those or any other website. This

News Release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding the

Company's research and development initiatives and in particular, L-DOS47,

which statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology

such as "may", "encouraging", "potential", "suggest", "will", or comparable

terminology referring to future events or results. Forward looking statements

are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and Helix's

actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these

forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including without

limitation, uncertainty whether DOS47 or L-DOS47 will be successfully

developed as a drug or otherwise commercialized; the need for additional

research and development, the outcome of which is uncertain; the need for

clinical trials, the occurrence and success of which cannot be assured;

product liability and insurance risks; the risk of technical obsolescence; the

need for regulatory approvals, which may not be obtained in a timely matter or

at all; intellectual property risks; marketing/manufacturing and

partnership/strategic alliance risks; the effect of competition; Helix's need

for additional future capital, which may not be available in a timely manner

or at all; as well as a description of other risks and uncertainties affecting

Helix and its business, as contained in news releases and filings with the

Canadian Securities Regulatory Authorities, any of which could cause actual

results to vary materially from current results or Helix's anticipated future

results. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and

expectations of Helix's management at the time they are made, and Helix does

not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement should those

beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances change.

For further information: Investor Relations: Nick Hurst, The Equicom

Group Inc., Tel: (416) 815-0700 ext. 226, 1-800-385-5451, Fax: (416) 815-0080,

Email: nhurst@equicomgroup.com; Media Relations: Matthew Haines, Noonan

Russo, Tel: (212) 845-4235, Fax: (212) 845-4260, Email:

Matthew.Haines@eurorscg.com; www.NoonanRusso.com