InNexus Biotechnology Inc, a drug development company, posted encouraging preliminary results of an in vivo animal study which exhibited DXL625 (CD20)'s efficacy in reducing the growth rate of lymphoma cancer tumours.

Based on data from a recently initiated animal study, preliminary data shows an increase of potency of the company's first product candidate, DXL625 (CD20), for the prospective treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The study compared DXL625 with a control vehicle and Genentech's Rituxan. Previous laboratory studies presented as part of the Technology Workshop at the IBC Life Science 18TH Annual International Antibody Engineering Conference in San Diego indicated that DXL625 may afford greater potency in killing tumour cells and showed increased binding to the target antigen (CD20) on NHL tumour cells.

Dr. Thomas Kindt, chief scientific officer, InNexus Biotechnology, said, "The preliminary results of these initial tests on DXL625 are exciting data corroborating our work to date and providing opportunities of exploration and use of DXL technology. Studies done at InNexus have also discovered that DXL625 has greater killing potency than Rituxan in cell lines of both moderate and low expressors of CD20, the target used to attack NHL."

Additional results demonstrated DXL625 more potently induced apoptosis (cell suicide) in B-cell lymphoma cells and B-cell leukemia (Hairy Cells).

Boosting new and proven monoclonal antibody products will yield critical medical and commercial advantages, making a growing multi-billion dollar product category even better, said Jeff Morhet, chairman and CEO, InNexus Biotechnology. Our proof of principle demonstration suggests that DXL capabilities can be applied to a diverse range of late stage and prospective treatments. The data are an important example of how InNexus can improve candidates, with possible advances in product life cycles, dosing, product stability, and other key parameters.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cancer is a large group of cancers of the immune system. NHL can occur at any age and are often marked by enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and weight loss. There are many different types of NHL, which can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types. Estimated new cases and deaths from NHL in the United States in 2007: 63,190 new cases and 18,660 deaths.