Helix BioPharma Corp. has signed an agreement with the National Research Council of Canada's Institute for Biological Sciences (NRC-IBS), to assist with the ongoing characterisation of the lung cancer specific antibody, previously licensed to Helix for its L-DOS47 new drug candidate; as well as to identify further novel tumour targeting antibodies.

"This joint effort by Helix and NRC-IBS is intended to contribute to the preclinical development program of L-DOS47 in support of Helix's anticipated IND filing," said Dr. Heman Chao, Helix's vice president of research.

NRC-IBS has undertaken to negotiate with Helix to settle the terms of an exclusive worldwide license, with rights to sublicense, that will allow Helix to commercialise all intellectual property arising from this agreement, claims the company release.

L-DOS47 combines Helix's proprietary DOS47 new drug candidate with a highly specific antibody, to form a potential new targeted drug product for the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the lung, the most common form of cancer in the world today. L-DOS47 is thought to function by leveraging a natural process in the body called the urea cycle, to produce an anti-cancer effect.

The NRC is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology. The NRC operates world-class research facilities, as well as information, technology and innovation support networks from coast to coast.

Helix BioPharma Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the field of cancer therapy. The company is actively developing innovative products for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on its proprietary technologies.