Lymfactin(TM) Found to Significantly Increase Growth of Lymphatic Vessels in Animal Study; Results Seen as "Pathway to a Breakthrough" for Breast Cancer Patients Who Would Benefit From Lymph Node Transfers for Lymphedema

MALMO, SWEDEN--(Marketwire - Sep 23, 2011) - Laurantis Pharma, a privately held biotechnology company based in Finland, today announced that Lymfactin™, adenoviral VEGF-C growth factor therapy, was successful in rebuilding lymphatic vessels in pre-clinical animal models. The use of VEGF-C growth therapy to regenerate lymphatic vessels over time may be used to assist lymph node transfer surgery as a technique to treat secondary lymphedema.

The results were presented at the 23^rd International Congress of Lymphology in Malmö, Sweden by Kari Alitalo, MD, PhD, Academy Professor, Molecular Cancer Biology Program Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, and Anne Saaristo, MD, PhD, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland. The researchers were able to demonstrate VEGF-C's ability to induce the spontaneous growth of lymphatic vessels during the first two weeks of treatment, which then stabilized and matured over the course of the next six months.

The ability of VEGF-C to regulate the growth of lymphatic vessels presents an advantage for the use of lymph node transfer as a way of treating lymphedema. Currently lymph node transfer is being tested as a way to rebuild the lymphatic vascular anatomy but no treatment currently helps to assist the spontaneous growth of lymphatic vessels.

"Breast cancer patients have an urgent need for better treatments for lymphedema," said Dr. Saaristo. "With Lymfactin, we see the potential to increase the impact of the operation and reduce the amount of lymphoid tissue that needs to be removed from other parts of the body. Ideally Lymfactin will result in more durable lymph node transplants, reducing the need for painful pressure bandages."

Lymphedema
Lymphedema, localized swelling due to fluid accumulation, is caused by the disruption in the flow of lymphatic fluid, usually associated with the removal of lymph nodes as treatment for breast cancer. About 20 to 30 percent of patients who have had lymph nodes removed as a part of treatment for breast cancer will develop chronic lymphedema. Currently, there is no cure for the condition, and treatments are limited in their ability to reduce swelling and reduce the risk of infection.

About Laurantis Pharma
Laurantis Pharma is a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical development company with a broad portfolio of first-in-class products based on two proprietary technologies. The Company's lead products target the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases and conditions including atopic dermatitis, dry eye syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and lymphatic disorders, as well as the treatment of bladder cancer.

The Company's pipeline includes proprietary and patent-protected formulations and applications of cis-uroc anic acid (cis-UCA), a locally acting anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative agent. Laurantis Pharma is also developing Lymfactin™, a vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in an adenoviral vector, for the treatment of secondary lymphedema. Laurantis Pharma is located in Turku, Finland. More information can be found at www.laurantis.com.