Singapore, Dec 7, 2006: California-based biopharma major Epeius Biotechnologies announced the preliminary results of an independent study conducted in Japan that supports the safety and efficacy of intravenous Rexin-G in a broad spectrum of patients with chemo-resistant metastatic cancer.

Although the study began in October, only two months ago, the initial reports are both encouraging and noteworthy. The lead investigator of the Japanese study, Dr Takaki Imamura, will be presenting his findings and clinical recommendations at a special medical conference to be held in Tokyo, Japan, on December 16, 2006.

The Japanese study proceeded with caution, initially utilizing low doses of Rexin-G (Weekly Dose: 1 x 10e11 Units x 2 weeks; n=6), then rapidly advancing to examine higher doses predicted to be more effective.

Concerning the efficacy of Rexin-G, the results of the study revealed that 33 percent of patients in the low-dose group, and 53.3 percent in the higher-dose group gained significant therapeutic benefit from simple intravenous infusions. Therapeutic efficacy was achieved in a dose-dependent manner.

Concerning the overall safety of Rexin-G, all 21 patients tolerated the vector infusions well with no associated nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, mucositis, hair loss or neuropathy. There was no significant alteration in hemodynamic function, bone marrow suppression, liver, kidney or any organ dysfunction observed during the treatment period. Mild vague fatigue in 12 of 21 (57 percent) patients and mild constipation in 8 of 21 (38 percent) patients were the only side effects noted.

Dr Erlinda Maria Gordon, Vice President of Medical Affairs of Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation, said, “We are delighted to have such honorable and conscientious partners as Dr Imamura and his colleagues in Japan, whose personal efforts have advanced the clinical development of this tumor-targeted genetic medicine decades ahead. We are pleased that Rexin-G continues to perform well, as a highly active and effective agent in a broad spectrum of refractory and chemo-resistant tumors"