Live Like Bella® Childhood Cancer Foundation Approves Grant To CHOP Oncologist For First In Class Cancer Therapy

MIAMI, May 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Live Like Bella® Childhood Cancer Foundation has approved a grant to Mala Talekar, M.D., a physician-researcher at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia after extensive scientific review of her work with the first-in class cancer therapy ONC201 being developed by Oncoceutics, Inc. to support future clinical trials in Lymphoma and Leukemia.

Previous in-vitro and in-vivo efficacy experiments with ONC201 by Dr. Talekar and others have uncovered a novel and central aspect of its mechanism by analyzing gene expression profiles in lymphoma and colorectal cancers. This data demonstrates that ONC201 has a distinct way to engage the integrated stress response that up regulates a host of proteins that induce tumor cell death and inhibit the synthesis of proteins that are key for cancer growth. The funded research project aims to understand how the combination of ONC201 and another drug that also works by engaging the integrated stress response (called bortezomib) will together more efficiently kill lymphoma tumors in a mouse model.

In addition to Dr. Talekar's work, ONC201 is currently being evaluated as a new therapeutic agent in five clinical trials in humans for select advanced cancers based on its pronounced efficacy in aggressive and refractory tumors and excellent safety.

"Live Like Bella® is proud to support this innovative research initiative which has the promise of bringing forth a new and cutting edge treatment for childhood cancers in the very near future," said Raymond Rodriguez-Torres, Chairman of Live Like Bella® and Bella's daddy.

"We are delighted to be working with Dr. Talekar and to support her work to identify improved therapies for children and adolescents with advanced-stage NHL and for those who relapse," said Joshua Allen, PhD, and Vice President-R&D of Oncoceutics. "In addition, we appreciate the support of The Live Like Bella® Childhood Cancer Foundation to help advance the research for our novel molecule that has shown potential for patient populations who are in need of less toxic therapies."

LIVE LIKE BELLA® CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION was founded in June 2013 in memory of Bella Rodriguez-Torres, who passed away at the tender age of 10 from Rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive childhood cancer. In her six-year battle she inspired millions to #LiveLikeBella. The foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric cancer by funding innovative pediatric cancer research, supporting families with children currently in treatment as well as with memorial support. For more information visit www.livelikebella.org

About Oncoceutics. Oncoceutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company targeting potent suppressor pathways in human cancer. The first lead compound that entered clinical development from this program is ONC201, a small molecule with an active angular structure and a first-in-class mechanism of action that causes significant anti-tumor activity in a variety of human cancers. The company recently completed a successful Phase I study in solid tumors and has begun Phase II clinical programs in both solid and hematological malignancies. Oncoceutics has been awarded several competitive grants for its development programs with ONC201 and its other candidates in this new class of compounds. In addition, outside interest in the company's portfolio has resulted in several R&D alliance agreements between Oncoceutics and leading comprehensive cancer centers, including The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Fox Chase Cancer Center.  The company has established a robust Intellectual property position, including several issued patents.

Media Contact:
Grace Sotolongo-Alvarez   
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SOURCE Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation

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