Antisoma reports outcome of AS1413 phase III trial

London, UK, and Cambridge, MA: 31 January 2011 - Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM; USOTC:
ATSMY) announces that the ACCEDE phase III trial of AS1413 (amonafide) in
secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (secondary AML) did not meet its primary
endpoint. Development of AS1413 will be discontinued.
 
Glyn Edwards, CEO of Antisoma, said: "We have not seen a benefit with AS1413.
This is hugely disappointing for patients, investigators, investors and
employees. We will now become smaller and focus on maximising the value of our
other programmes."
 
Antisoma's pipeline of products comprises:
 
  * AS1411, a novel aptamer drug with potential in blood cancers and solid
    tumours; early data from the ongoing phase IIb trial in AML show this is
    likely to be inconclusive, so this trial will be terminated and development
    will be pursued through other approaches
  * DCAMs (dendritic cell autoimmune modulators), a programme of small-molecule
    kinase inhibitors in preclinical development with potential as oral
    therapeutics for autoimmune diseases, and
  * PPMID, a new and highly targeted approach to cancer treatment under
    preclinical development in a collaboration with The Institute of Cancer
    Research.
 
As at 31 December 2010, the Company had cash resources of approximately £23.4
million. Steps will be taken immediately to reduce expenditure significantly.
 
A conference call will be held today at 10 am UK time. This will be available
afterwards as a recording on the Antisoma website at www.antisoma.com. Dial-in
numbers for the call are as follows: + 44 (0) 20 3140 0693; UK Toll Free:
0800 368 1895; participant pin code: 927336#
 
Enquiries:
Glyn Edwards, CEO
Daniel Elger, VP Marketing & Communications    +44 (0)7909 915 068
Antisoma plc
 
 All media enquiries
 
 Mark Court/Jessica Fontaine   +44 (0)20 7466 5000
 
 Buchanan Communications
 
US investor enquiries         +1 646-378-2952
 
 Seth Lewis
 
 The Trout Group
 
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.
 
The ACCEDE phase III trial of AS1413
ACCEDE was a single pivotal, randomised, controlled trial in which a regimen of
AS1413 and cytarabine was compared with standard AML remission-induction therapy
of daunorubicin and cytarabine ('7+3') in patients with secondary AML (AML
following MDS or chemotherapy/radiotherapy treatment of another cancer). The
primary endpoint of the study was the rate of complete remission with or without
recovery of normal blood counts.
 
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 U.K. and the U.S. Please visitwww.antisoma.com for further information
about Antisoma.
 
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Source: Antisoma plc via Thomson Reuters ONE
 
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