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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) June 25, 1996
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BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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<S> <C> <C>
Delaware 0-6533 87-0277826
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organisation) File No.) Identification No.)
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1601 Trapelo Road
Waltham, Massachusetts 02154
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(Address of principal executive offices) Zip Code
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (617) 890-8263
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Item 5. Other Events.
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On June 25, 1996, the registrant, a company engaged in the research and
development of novel treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and central
nervous systems disorders announced that it had obtained as exclusive worldwide
license to a patent application concerning a recently-discovered transcription
factor. This transcription factor, called C-Maf, has been shown, in preclinical
in vitro tests, to regulate the switching of T helper 1 (Th1) cells into T
helper 2 (Th2) cells. The ability to switch Th1 cells into Th2 cells (and vica
versa) may be significant in the treatment of autoimmmune diseases and
allergies. C-Maf was discovered by a team of scientists led by Professor Laurie
H. Clincher at Harvard University, and this factor and its uses for treatment of
such diseases have now been exclusively licensed by Harvard to the registrant.
Item 8. Exhibits.
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The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Report on Form 8-K:
99.1 Press Release of Registrant regarding C-Maf discovery and
license.
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SIGNATURES
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
Dated: June 25, 1996 By: /s/ Marc E. Lanser. M.D.
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Marc E. Lanser, M.D.
Executive Vice President
and Chief Scientific Officer
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[LETTERHEAD OF BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC. APPEARS HERE]
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES ACQUIRES EXCLUSIVE LICENSE FOR T-CELL SWITCH FACTOR
Potential Major Benefit in Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases and Allergies
Waltham, MA - June 25 - Boston Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLSI) announced that
it has obtained the worldwide exclusive rights to a patent application
concerning a recently-discovered transcription factor that has been shown, in
preclinical in vitro tests, to regulate the switching of T helper 1 (Th1) cells
into T helper 2 (Th2) cells. The ability to switch Th1 cells into Th2 cells
(and vice versa) may be of significant value in the treatment of autoimmune
diseases and allergies. This factor, named C-Maf, was discovered by a team of
scientists led by Professor Laurie H. Glimcher at Harvard University.
"We consider this is a major discovery and achievement in immunology, and
therefore an extremely important additional asset for the Company", said Dr.
Marc E. Lanser, Chief Scientific Officer for BLSI. "To our knowledge, this is
the first transcription factor that appears to regulate this switching of T
helper cell phenotypes. Many scientists believe that an excess of Th1 cells are
strongly associated with the development of autoimmune diseases and an excess of
Th2 cells are associated with allergies. We hope that any ultimate products
resulting from this discovery will have the potential to treat both autoimmune
diseases and allergies by re-establishing the correct balance between Th1 and
Th2 cells". "While there can be no assurance that the discovery of C-Maf will
generate any products approved for commercial sale, we currently expect to make
this a major area of focus for BLSI", stated David Hillson, the company's
president. BLSI plans to provide funding support for the ongoing development of
this technology through Dr. Glimcher's laboratory at Harvard.
BLSI is engaged in the research and development of novel treatments for cancer,
autoimmune diseases, and central nervous system disorders. BLSI's products in
clinical trials or in pre-clinical development include Cartilage-derived
Inhibitor (CDI), a natural anti-angiogenesis factor for the treatment of solid
tumors; Axogenesis Factor 1 (AF-1), a novel central nervous system growth
factor; Altropane/TM/, a radioimaging agent for the diagnosis of Parkinson's
Disease; THERAFECTIN/(R)/ for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis; and a
different transcription factor that controls the expression of molecules
associated with autoimmune disease.
For additional information contact:
Marc E. Lanser, M.D.
Chief Scientific Officer
617-890-8263
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