RNS Number:4473S
Antisoma PLC
25 November 2003

  Antisoma and EMD Lexigen announce progress on joint anti-cancer development
                               programme (ATTACK)



25 November 2003, London, UK and Boston, USA: Antisoma plc (LSE:ASM), the
UK-based biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of novel
anti-cancer drugs, and EMD Lexigen Research Center, the US-based biotechnology
company, today announce that they have co-developed  a novel cancer therapy
based on the application of Lexigen's immunocytokine technology and using
Antisoma's antibody huBC1 and the anti-tumour cytokine IL12.  The companies
describe this approach as ATTACK (Anti-tumour Therapy with Targeting Antibodies
and CytoKines).



EMD Lexigen and Antisoma have created an immunocytokine fusion protein
incorporating huBC1 and IL12. This protein has been shown to have anti-tumour
effects in animal models of several different cancers. Work from the companies'
collaboration is being submitted for detailed presentation at forthcoming
scientific congresses.



IL12, when given alone, is known to have potent effects on tumours. Early-phase
safety trials provided evidence of IL12 activity against renal cell carcinomas
and melanomas. However, intravenous administration of IL12 has been associated
with severe and often treatment-limiting side effects. Combining IL12 with a
cancer-targeting antibody is a potential way to harness its anti-tumour
properties while minimising side effects, as a targeted therapy can be given at
lower doses and could act more specifically on tumours. The huBC1 antibody
targets oncofoetal fibronectin, a molecule associated with new tumour blood
vessels. This antibody therefore provides a vehicle with the potential to
deliver IL12 specifically to tumours.



Glyn Edwards, CEO of Antisoma, said, "We are delighted to be collaborating with
a partner of Lexigen's calibre, and are now working with them to identify the
best way to move the promising new ATTACK approach rapidly into clinical 
trials."



Stephen Gillies, President of EMD Lexigen and Global Head of Oncology Research
for Merck KGaA, said, "Immunocytokine technology lends itself to many approaches
through different combinations of antibodies and cytokines.  We are excited to
work with the novel targeting concept of Antisoma to create an innovative
approach to cancer therapy."



                                     -ends-



Enquiries


Antisoma plc                                          Tel: +44 (0)20 8799 8200
Glyn Edwards, Chief Executive Officer

EMD Lexigen                                           Tel: +1 919-401-7200
David Reeder

Financial Dynamics
Ben Atwell/Sarah MacLeod                              Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113



Notes to Editors



About Antisoma

Based in London, UK, Antisoma is a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel
products for the treatment of cancer. The Company fills its development pipeline
by acquiring promising new product candidates from internationally recognised
academic or cancer research institutions.  Its core activity is the preclinical
and clinical development of these drug candidates. Antisoma forms partnerships
with pharmaceutical companies to bring its products to market.  In November
2002, Antisoma signed a ground-breaking collaboration agreement with Roche to
develop and commercialise products from Antisoma's pipeline. Please visit
www.antisoma.com for further information.



About EMD-Lexigen Research Center

EMD Lexigen Research Center is a research-driven company focused on developing
new generations of therapies for cancer and other serious and life-threatening
diseases.



EMD Lexigen is a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Its research
center, located in the Route 128 Biotech Corridor near Boston, Mass., is a hub
for Merck KGaA's biological pharmaceutical research activities, emphasizing
advanced pharmaceutical platform technologies and novel drugs.



About Merck KGaA

With more than 34,500 employees in 53 countries, Merck KGaA of Darmstadt,
Germany, generated sales of EUR 7.5 billion in 2002. Founded in 1668 in
Darmstadt, the company aims to be a world leader within its core businesses of
pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Merck groups its operating activities under Merck
KGaA, in which the Merck family holds 74% and the remaining 26% is publicly
traded. The former U.S. subsidiary, Merck & Co., has been a completely
independent company since 1917.


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            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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