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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) January 11, 2000
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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 offices) Zip Code
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (617) 425-0200
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Item 5. Other Events.
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On January 11, 2000, Boston Life Sciences, Inc. announced that its anti-cancer
fusion toxin licensed from Hebrew University in Jerusalem significantly
inhibited experimental colon cancer growth in a well-recognized animal model.
The fusion toxin, comprised of an antigen-specific targeting molecule coupled to
a bacterial-derived cell killing toxin, is similar in concept to a monoclonal
antibody (Mab) in that it targets a specific antigen present on a tumor cell's
surface. In the case of the Company's fusion toxin, the targeting molecule is an
analogue of Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) that specifically targets and
binds to the GnRH receptors that are present on approximately 70% of
adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas account for approximately 70% of all solid
tumors, including those of the colon, prostate and breast. Following
internalization by the tumor cell of the GnRH analogue, the bacterial toxin
attached to the GnRH targeting molecule is released into the cancer cell,
resulting in cell death. The targeting and cell killing ability of the fusion
toxin appears to be, at the very least, as efficient as that achieved by highly
specific monoclonal antibodies, the Company said.
In this model designed to simulate very rapid cancer growth, human colon cancer
cells were injected into nude mice and, after 5 days to allow for the cells to
develop into a solid tumor, the mice were treated with the GnRH fusion toxin 4
times per week for 10 days. There was no apparent undesirable toxicity seen in
any of the animals. After 18 days of growth, the tumors were removed and
measured. The growth of the tumors in treated animals was suppressed
approximately 80% compared to the growth of tumors in the control animals.
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 January 11, 2000.
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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: January 18, 2000 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 January 11, 2000 4 - 5
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Exhibit 99.1
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES' ANTIGEN-TARGETING PROTEIN
SUPPRESSES SOLID TUMORS IN ANIMALS
Monoclonal Antibody-Related Fusion Toxin Achieves 80% Suppression of Tumor
Growth
January 11, 2000--Boston, MA--Boston Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLSI)
announced that its anti-cancer fusion toxin licensed from Hebrew University in
Jerusalem significantly inhibited experimental colon cancer growth in a well-
recognized animal model. The fusion toxin, comprised of an antigen-specific
targeting molecule coupled to a bacterial-derived cell killing toxin, is similar
in concept to a monoclonal antibody (Mab) in that it targets a specific antigen
present on a tumor cell's surface. In the case of BLSI's fusion toxin, the
targeting molecule is an analogue of Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) that
specifically targets and binds to the GnRH receptors that are present on
approximately 70% of adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas account for approximately
70% of all solid tumors, including those of the colon, prostate and breast.
Following internalization by the tumor cell of the GnRH analogue, the bacterial
toxin attached to the GnRH targeting molecule is released into the cancer cell,
resulting in cell death. The targeting and cell killing ability of the fusion
toxin appears to be, at the very least, as efficient as that achieved by highly
specific monoclonal antibodies, the Company said.
In this model designed to simulate very rapid cancer growth, human colon cancer
cells were injected into nude mice and, after 5 days to allow for the cells to
develop into a solid tumor, the mice were treated with the GnRH fusion toxin 4
times per week for 10 days. There was no apparent undesirable toxicity seen in
any of the animals. After 18 days of growth, the tumors were removed and
measured. The growth of the tumors in treated animals was suppressed
approximately 80% compared to the growth of tumors in the control animals.
"As far as we know, this is the first potential broad-based targeting approach
to treating adenocarcinomas, a class that represents the largest segment of
solid tumors, and which also have been extremely resistant to therapy," stated
Dr. Marc Lanser, Chief Scientific Officer of BLSI. "Using the strategy of
specific targeting based on the concepts of monoclonal antibody technology, our
collaborating scientists constructed a fusion toxin that could target its
`antigen' with the same specificity as Mabs, and could apparently kill targeted
cells even more efficiently than Mabs. The key to this success was the discovery
by the Hebrew University scientific team that the majority of adenocarcinomas
express receptors for GnRH, and that these adenocarcinomas could be effectively
targeted and killed using a GnRH-based fusion toxin, as described and published
in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, 272;11597-11603;1997."
"It is well worth noting that this particular antigen, present on most
adenocarcinomas, appears to be much more widely expressed than some of the other
antigens that have been used to develop effective Mabs. Therefore, based on the
initial clinical success of both monoclonal antibodies and other fusion toxins,
several of which have been approved and effectively launched, plus the
widespread expression of the GnRH receptor on a variety of major
adenocarcinomas, we have high hopes for the clinical efficacy of our own fusion
toxin for the treatment of this broad segment of cancer."
"We are also particularly excited about the potential for synergy with our anti-
angiogenic product Troponin I, since anti-angiogenic therapy seems to synergize
well with cytotoxic therapy. While these two different approaches to tumor
inhibition are each predicated on their own method of action, yet seem to
compliment one another in overall suppression of metastatic growth, their
potential combined effect offers the prospect of a very powerful therapeutic
strategy to combat disease progression," added Dr. Lanser.
BLSI is developing novel treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and central
nervous system disorders. In addition to fusion toxins, BLSI's products in
clinical trials or in preclinical development include: Altropane(TM), a
radioimaging agent for the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease and Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Troponin I, a naturally-occurring anti-
angiogenesis factor for the treatment of solid tumors; AF-1 and Inosine, nerve
growth factors 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.
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Statements made in this press release other than statements of historical fact
represent forward-looking statements. Such statements include, without
limitation, statements regarding expectations or beliefs as to future results or
events, such as the adequacy of the Company's capital resources, discussions
with regulatory agencies, expected timing and results of clinical trials,
schedules of IND, NDA and all other regulatory submissions, the possible
approval of products, the timing of product introductions, the market size for
the Company's products and possible advantages of the Company's products. All
such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties and
actual results may vary materially from these statements. Factors that may
affect future results include: regulatory decisions, results of scientific data
from clinical trials; delays in the regulatory or development processes; the
ability to obtain intellectual property protection, the outcome of discussions
with potential partners, the availability and adequacy of financial resources,
market acceptance of the Company's products and other possible risks and
uncertainties that have been noted in reports filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A.
For further information, please contact:
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<S> <C> <C>
Media Investors Corporate
Jim Weinrebe Maria Zapf Boston Life Sciences, Inc.
Schwartz Communications Boston Life Sciences, Inc. Marc Lanser, M.D.
781.684.0770 617.425.0200 Chief Scientific Officer
617.425.0200
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