Canopus BioPharma Announces Positive Results in Human Study of Novel Peptide Cancer Vaccine
Study Analyzed at Southern Research Institute Shows Human Antibodies Generated By Canopus's Peptides Have Anti-Cancer Properties
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Canopus BioPharma, Inc. (OTC:CBIA); (www.canopusbiopharma.com) today announced that it has successfully completed the second phase of its cancer vaccine development.
The specialized laboratory study was analyzed at the Southern Research Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. The study used the blood of healthy human volunteers, vaccinated with Canopus Biopharma's cancer vaccine peptides, which then demonstrated anti-cancer properties against a panel of 12 human cancer cell lines in tissue culture.
For the first time, successful human testing confirms that Canopus BioPharma's proprietary, patented use of these cancer-targeted peptide antigens is effective as a vaccine against human cancer cells. When used as a vaccine in healthy volunteers, the peptide antigens generate antibodies that are non-toxic to normal cells, but significantly effective in destroying human cancer cells in-vitro. In effect, the peptide antigens work by stimulating a person's own immune system, to protect the individual from developing certain forms of cancer.
"Successful results from this series of laboratory tests, using vaccinated, healthy volunteers, confirms proof of principle in humans," said Elizabeth Shanahan-Prendergast, President of Oncology at Canopus BioPharma. "In the laboratory, the vaccinated human blood demonstrated that it can significantly inhibit the growth of a broad range of human cancer cells -- including colorectal, prostate, small-cell lung, pancreatic, ovarian and breast -- when compared to a control sample of non-vaccinated human blood."
"Southern Research Institute is a recognized leader in scientific research, serving clients throughout the biotechnology industry, including the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Patrick T. Prendergast, Chairman and CEO, Canopus BioPharma. "According to Kalorama Information's 2007 report, the cancer vaccine market will generate up to $700 million in potential new revenue this year and $8.4 billion by 2012. Now that we have proof of principle, in a human in-vivo study, we will be actively looking for a co-development partner to bring this novel vaccine to market as soon as possible."
About Canopus BioPharma, Inc.
Canopus BioPharma, Inc. (OTC:CBIA) is dedicated to providing the safest, most cost effective and efficacious pharmaceutical products and assay methods in the areas of infectious disease, radiation protection, cancer, and addiction. With innovative science, proven research and development leadership, and superior products and compounds, Canopus BioPharma has, since 2001, been committed to becoming a market trend setter in a new era of healthcare. In addition, the Company is a world leader in the development of novel camelid antibody products to provide unique avenues of progress and improvement in assay methods and monitoring capabilities for physicians, patients and researchers, initially for food chain protection applications. Canopus maintains staff in Australia, South Africa, Ireland, and the USA. Additional information on the company is available at www.canopusbiopharma.com.