STOCKHOLM, September 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Axelar AB today announces that the first submitted medical article on the ongoing phase I/II cancer study with AXL1717 has been published in Acta Oncologica.

The article, including clinical data from a limited group of AXL1717-treated patients, by Drs. Ekman, Bergqvist, Frodin and colleagues, was recently published in Acta Oncologica, Early Online 1-7, 2010. The publication describes four heavily pretreated patients with progressive and advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without any remaining therapeutic options. The patients were treated with AXL1717 for notably long time periods, and in addition to reporting that the drug was well tolerated the authors conclude that during: "more than seven months of AXL1717 treatment as third or fourth line treatment, the reported patients did not develop any additional metastases."

"We are pleased to report the first clinical experience in a peer-reviewed publication. These patients, with squamous NSCLC with tumor progression at baseline, represent a selected subgroup but lack a control group. We are encouraged by the results especially since the data was collected in a phase I setting with the primary objectives to establish the tolerability and pharmacokinetics of AXL1717. Squamous NSCLC is relatively unresponsive to regular cytotoxic chemotherapy but the cells of this cancer have been shown to display a high density of the IGF-1 receptor, the therapeutic target for AXL1717", says Johan Harmenberg, CEO Axelar AB.

TO THE EDITORS

About Axelar

Axelar AB is a Swedish biotech company founded in 2003. The company is developing insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor inhibitors for treatment of cancer and other diseases. Axelar is part of the Karolinska Development portfolio of companies. http://www.axelar.se

About AXL1717

Axelar's lead compound, AXL1717, provides a novel treatment regimen for a wide range of cancers. AXL1717 is the first targeted oral small-molecule IGF-1 receptor inhibitor with no effect on the insulin receptor. AXL1717 is presently undergoing phase I/II clinical trials and the compound combines a superior preclinical efficacy against numerous tumors with an excellent tolerability profile. Most tumor cells are dependent on the IGF-1 receptor signal pathway and the IGF-1 receptor is therefore regarded as a very promising target for cancer therapy. To date, there are no IGF-1 receptor inhibitor drugs on the market.

About Karolinska Development

Karolinska Development manages one of the largest portfolios of life science companies in Europe. Using a unique business model, the company cost efficiently guides the commercialization of world class life science innovations. Since its inception in 2003, Karolinska Development has built a portfolio of some 40 companies. Among the company's projects, 12 candidate drugs are undergoing clinical trials and it is estimated that a total of more than 20 substances have first-in-class potential. http://www.karolinskadevelopment.com

    For further information, please contact:
    Marek Poszepczynski, VP Business Development, Axelar AB
    Phone: +46(0)705-58-60-21, e-mail: marek.poszepczynski@axelar.se

SOURCE Karolinska Development AB and Axelar AB

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