Antisoma ASH meeting update

London, UK, and Cambridge, MA: 2 December 2010 - Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM; USOTC:
ATSMY) today provides an update on its blood cancer programmes and announces
details of a presentation at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual
Meeting.
 
AS1413 phase III data in secondary AML expected Q1 2011
Antisoma announced this week that it expects results from the ACCEDE phase III
trial of AS1413 in secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (secondary AML) during the
first quarter of 2011.
 
Secondary AML represents a significant fraction of AML cases. This form of the
disease evolves from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or results from chemotherapy
or radiotherapy treatment for other cancers. Patients respond particularly
poorly to current AML therapies.
 
Antisoma's ACCEDE trial compares a novel regimen of AS1413 plus cytarabine with
a standard regimen of daunorubicin and cytarabine. Enrolment of over 420
patients was completed in September. If the trial yields positive data, Antisoma
plans to file for marketing authorisations.
 
ASH presentation on secondary AML
A new analysis, to be presented on Sunday at the American Society of Hematology
(ASH) Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL, will highlight the adverse risk factors
associated with secondary AML and determinants of prognosis within this patient
group.
 
Dr Mikkael Sekeres and collaborators from the Cleveland Clinic analysed a
combined data-set of 165 secondary AML patients, including patients treated at
their own hospital and participants in the phase II trial of AS1413. Being male,
over 60 or having adverse cytogenetics were factors particularly associated with
a poor prognosis. The abstract can be found on the ASH website at
www.hematology.org (abstract no 2139); once presented, the poster will be
available at www.antisoma.com
 
AS1411 phase IIb trial in AML progressing
As well as AS1413, Antisoma is evaluating its DNA aptamer, AS1411, as a
potential treatment for leukaemias. A phase IIb trial combines AS1411 with high-
dose cytarabine chemotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory AML. The
trial builds on positive data from an earlier trial in similar patients.
Headline findings are expected in the first half of 2011.
 
 Enquiries:
 
 Glyn Edwards, CEO
 
 Daniel Elger, VP Marketing & Communications   +44 (0) 7909 915 068
 
 Antisoma plc
 
Mark Court/Jessica Fontaine                   +44 (0)20 7466 5000
 
 Buchanan Communications
 
Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed in
this announcement are forward looking statements that are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. These risks and uncertainties may be associated with product
discovery and development, including statements regarding the Company's clinical
development programmes, the expected timing of clinical trials and regulatory
filings. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but
actual results may differ materially.
 
About AS1413 (amonafide L-malate)
AS1413 (amonafide L-malate) was added to Antisoma's pipeline through the
acquisition of Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in June 2008. AS1413 is a novel DNA
intercalator that induces apoptotic signalling by blocking topoisomerase II
binding to DNA. This differs from the action of classical topoisomerase II
inhibitors, which induce apoptosis by causing extensive DNA damage. A further
distinctive feature of AS1413 is its ability to evade Pgp and related
transporters responsible for multi-drug resistance (MDR).
 
A pivotal phase III trial (ACCEDE) is evaluating AS1413 as a treatment for
secondary AML, a condition often associated with MDR and in which outcomes with
currently available treatments are poor. An earlier phase II trial showed a
complete remission rate of 39% in patients with secondary AML, a finding that
compares favourably with data from two previous co-operative group studies in
which similar patients were treated with standard anthracycline plus cytarabine
regimens.  AS1413 has FDA fast-track designation and orphan drug status for the
treatment of AML in both the US and the EU.
 
About AS1411
AS1411 belongs to a new type of drug called aptamers. These drugs are short
pieces of DNA or RNA that fold into three-dimensional structures capable of
targeting particular proteins. AS1411 is a DNA aptamer that targets nucleolin, a
protein found on the surface of cancer cells. AS1411 was originally developed by
Dr Paula Bates, Dr John Trent and Prof. Donald Miller at the University of
Alabama and then at the University of Louisville. Antisoma added AS1411 to its
pipeline when it acquired the Louisville-based company Aptamera Inc. in 2005. A
phase II trial reported higher remission rates and a lack of any significant
additional toxicity when AS1411 was added to high-dose cytarabine chemotherapy
as a treatment for relapsed or refractory AML. A phase IIb trial is now further
evaluating AS1411 in similar patients. AS1411 has orphan drug status for the
treatment of AML in both the US and the EU.
 
Background on Antisoma
Antisoma is a London Stock Exchange-listed biopharmaceutical company that
develops novel products for the treatment of cancer. The Company has operations
in the UK and the US. Please visitwww.antisoma.com for further information about
Antisoma.
 
[HUG#1467814]
 
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of 
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: 
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and 
    other applicable laws; and 
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and 
     originality of the information contained therein. 
 
Source: Antisoma plc via Thomson Reuters ONE