<PAGE>
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) January 23, 1997
-------------------
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-6533 87-0277826
- ------------------------------- ------ ------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) File No.) Identification No.)
31 Newbury Street, Suite 300
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
- -------------------------------------- ------------
(Address of principal executive offices) Zip Code
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (617) 425-0200
--------------------
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events.
-------------
On January 23, 1997, Boston Life Sciences, a company engaged in the research and
development of novel treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and central
nervous disorders, announced that the Company's anti-angiogenic factor
significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice. In the experiment, human prostrate
tumors were implanted subcutaneously into the backs of mice and allowed to grow
to a uniform size. Half the mice were treated with the Company's anti-angiogenic
factor while the other half served as untreated controls. In the untreated mice,
the tumors continued to grow in a linear fashion. In contrast, treated mice
exhibited a significant inhibition in the growth of their tumors.
The Company believes that the results of this experiment represent the first
time that a recombinantly produced, systemically administered native human
anti-angiogenic protein has inhibited tumor growth. The Company plans to
expand on these results, to optimize the dose and administration schedule, and
to initiate the preclinical studies necessary for the filing of an IND. The
Company's objective is to file the IND before the end of 1997 and to initiate
clinical trials as early as possible with the beginning of 1998 as a target
date.
Item 7. Exhibits.
---------
The following Exhibit is filed as part of this report on Form 8-K:
99.1 Press Release, dated January 23, 1997.
2
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
----------
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 authorized.
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
Dated: February 3, 1997 By: /s/ Joseph Hernon
------------------
Joseph Hernon
Chief Financial Officer
3
<PAGE>
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Page
- ----------- ----
99.1 Press Release, dated January 23, 1997 5
4
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.1
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES' ANTI-ANGIOGENIC FACTOR FOUND TO INHIBIT
TUMOR GROWTH IN MICE
Boston, MA, - January 23, 1997. Boston Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:
BLSI) announced that the Company's anti-angiogenic factor significantly
inhibited tumor growth in mice. In the experiment, human prostate tumors were
implanted subcutaneously into the backs of mice and allowed to grow to a uniform
size. Half the mice were then treated with the Company's anti-angiogenic
factor for 28 days, during which time the growth of the tumors were measured.
The other half of the mice served as untreated controls. In the untreated
control mice, tumors continued to grow in a linear fashion, reaching
approximately four times their original volume after 28 days. In contrast,
treated mice exhibited an approximate 75% inhibition in the growth of their
tumors. Furthermore, treated mice demonstrated no significant growth in their
tumors after approximately fourteen days of treatment, while the tumors in the
untreated mice continued to grow at a rapid rate throughout the 28 day period.
"To our knowledge, the results of this experiment represents the first
time that a recombinantly-produced, systemically-administered native human
anti-angiogenic protein has inhibited tumor growth, apparently by inhibiting the
tumor's blood supply, thereby providing striking evidence of its potential
usefulness as a treatment for metastatic cancer. We now plan to expand on these
results, to optimize the dose and administration schedule, and to initiate the
preclinical studies necessary for the filing of an IND. Our objective is to
file our IND before the end of 1997 and to initiate clinical trials as early as
possible, targeting the beginning of 1998", stated Marc E. Lanser, MD Chief
Scientific Officer of BLSI.
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 Altropane for
the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease; the above-mentioned anti-angiogenesis
factor for the treatment of solid tumors; Axogenesis Factor 1 (AF-1) for the
treatment of stroke and spinal cord injuries; THERAFECTIN /(R)/ for the
treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis; and transcription factors to control the
expression of molecules associated with autoimmune disease and allergies.
For additional information contact:
Marc E. Lanser, MD
Chief Scientific Officer
617-425-0200
5