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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 28, 1999
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BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-6533 87-0277826
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) File No.) Identification No.)
137 Newbury Street
8th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
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(Address of principal executive Zip Code
offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (617) 425-0200
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Item 5. Other Events.
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On June 28, 1999 the Company announced a program to develop, under an exclusive
worldwide license, a broad-based technology covering fusion toxins for the
treatment of a wide variety of solid tumors, as well as Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
and allergies. The technology was invented by scientists at Hadassah Medical
School of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. These novel genetically-engineered
fusion toxins consist of a targeting molecule linked at the genetic level to a
cell-killing toxin. These toxins utilize recently discovered receptors and
employ specifically engineered targeting ligands. The Company believes that this
approach fits well with its anti-angiogenic treatment of solid tumors with
Troponin I, and hopes to develop this new molecule for the treatment of colon
and other adenocarcinomas.
On June 28, 1999 the Company announced at its Annual Meeting that it had
initiated a clinical development program aimed at the early diagnosis of ADHD.
Under a Physician's Sponsored Investigational New Drug (IND) application, adult
patients with ADHD have undergone brain scanning using the Company's
radio-imaging agent Altropane/TM/, and were found to have a significantly
abnormal elevation in the number of dopamine transporters in the midbrain. All
of the patients tested thus far showed this abnormality versus scans of non-ADHD
normal subjects, the Company said. The Company plans to complete its analysis of
the trial, present the results to a panel composed of ADHD experts, neurologists
and radiologists, and hopes to ultimately develop Altropane as a diagnostic test
for ADHD in children.
Item 7. Exhibits.
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The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report on Form 8-K:
99.1 Press Release, dated June 28, 1999.
99.2 Press Release, dated June 28, 1999.
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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: July 7, 1999 By: /s/ Joseph Hernon
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Joseph Hernon
Chief Financial Officer
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BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Page
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99.1 Press Release, dated June 28, 1999 4
99.2 Press Release, dated June 28, 1999 5
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Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES TO DEVELOP ANTI-CANCER FUSION TOXINS
OBTAINED FROM HEBREW UNIVERSITY
Boston, Mass.--June 28--Boston Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLSI) announced a
program to develop, under an exclusive wordwide license, a broad-based
technology covering fusion toxins for the treatment of a wide variety of solid
tumors, as well as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and allergies. The technology was
invented by scientists at Hadassah Medical School of the Hebrew University in
Jerusalem.
These novel genetically-engineered fusion toxins consist of a targeting molecule
linked at the genetic level to a cell-killing toxin. In the case of cancer, the
targeting molecule binds to its receptor on the cancer cell, the fusion toxin is
then internalized, and the toxin destroys the cell.
"The efficacy of fusion toxins is well established in clinical use and there are
already approved products on the market utilizing this general approach," said
Marc E. Lanser, MD, Chief Scientific Officer of BLSI. "Furthermore, as reported
in the Journal of Biological Chemistry and in Medical Oncolgy, the pre-clincal
data generated by these particular fusion toxins acquired by Boston Life
Sciences is especially promising. These novel toxins make use of recently
discovered receptors and employ specifically engineered targeting ligands. For
cancer, the receptor involved in our approach is present only on adenocarcinomas
(glandular concerns of the breast, colon and prostate), but is absent on normal
tissues and benign tumors. Such specificity is very attractive in that any
potential toxicity problems may prove significantly more manageable.
We feel that this approach fits well with our anti-angiogenic treatment of solid
tumors with Troponin I. We hope to develop this new molecule for the treatment
of colon and other adenocarcinomas. In addition, unique receptors have been
utilized to develop analogous molecules for the treatment of MS and allergies.
We are excited by the outstanding scientific accomplishment of our collaborating
scientists at Hebrew University, and we look forward to working with them to
develop these potentially promising therapies," added Dr. Lanser.
About Boston Life Sciences, Inc.
BLSI is developing novel treatments for cancer, autoimmune disease, and central
nervous system disorders. In addition to the above and Troponin I, products
awaiting FDA review, in clinical trials or in preclinical development by BLSI
include Therafectin(R) for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis; AF-1 for
the potential treatment of stroke and spinal cord injury; Altropane/TM/, a
rodioimaging agent for the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease; and transcription
factors that may control the expression of molecules associated with autoimmune
disease and allergies.
The foregoing contains forward-looking statements with regard to product
development expectations, timelines and regulatory filings, which may not be
realized due to the uncertainties inherent in the research and development
process.
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Exhibit 99.2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC. ANNOUNCES ENCOURAGING RESULTS IN CLINICAL
DEVELOPMENT OF DIAGNOSTIC AGENT FOR
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)
June 28, 1999--Boston, MA--At its annual meeting held today, Boston Life
Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:BLSI) announced that the Company has initiated a clinical
development program aimed at the early diagnosis of ADHD. Under a Physician's
Sponsored Investigational New Drug (IND) application, adult patients with ADHD
have undergone brain scanning using the Company's radio-imaging agent
Altropane/TM/, and were found to have a significantly abnormal elevation in the
number of dopamine transporters in the midbrain. All of the patients tested thus
far showed this abnormality versus scans of non-ADHD normal subjects, the
Company said.
"The excessive number of dopamine transporters found in the midbrain in these
ADHD subjects strongly suggests that there is an underlying detectable
biochemical abnormality in at least a certain segment of individuals presenting
the symptoms and problems associated with ADHD. This abnormality is probably
related to the production of excessive amounts of dopamine in the midbrain of
ADHD patients," stated Marc Lanser, MD, Chief Scientific Officer of BLSI. "Based
on the encouraging results obtained in this trial, we intend to develop
Altropane/TM/ for use as a diagnostic test for ADHD in children. We will
complete our analysis of the trial and present the results to a panel composed
of ADHD experts, neurologists and radiologists. Guided by their input over the
next few months, we hope to ultimately offer Altropane/TM/ as a safe, definitive
and rapid diagnostic test for biochemically based ADHD where it could help
determine the appropriate medical therapy, rather than having the physician rely
solely on the psychological and behavioral criteria that is presently utilized,"
added Dr. Lanser.
"There is currently no objective tests to diagnose ADHD, a disorder that affects
millions of adults and children where it poses a particularly difficult
challenge in the educational environment. Researchers have recently postulated,
but have not been able to confirm, that ADHD is very often linked to a
biochemical disorder in levels of dopamine, a primary neurotransmitter in the
brain. A number of drugs including Ritalin, currently constitute the most
prescribed treatment for the broadly described disorder labeled "ADHD." Since
there has not been an objective test to differentiate between biochemical
abnormality and purely psychological, behavior disorders, the increasing use of
potentially addictive drugs among children has prompted vigorous public debate
amongst educators, parents and the medical community," commented David Hillson,
Chairman and CEO of BLSI. "An effective diagnostic test for ADHD could hopefully
play a very useful role in optimizing treatment options for our kids," added Mr.
Hillson.
BLSI is developing novel treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and central
nervous system disorders. In addition to Altropane/TM/, which is presently in
Phase III testing for the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, BLSI's products
awaiting FDA review, in clinical trials or in preclinical development include
Therafection(R), an oral drug for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis;
Troponin I, a naturally-occurring anti-angiogenesis factor for the treatment of
solid tumors; AF-1 for the treatment of acute and chronic CNS disorders; and
transcription factors that may control the expression of molecules associated
with autoimmune disease and allergies.
The foregoing contains certain forward-looking statements with regard to product
development, which may not be realized due to the uncertainties inherent in the
research and development and regulatory processes, as well as market conditions.
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