Vion and Epttco to Collaborate on R&D of Cancer Treatments

Vion Pharmaceuticals (New Haven, CT) and Epttco Ltd. (Abingdon, UK) will collaborate on the research and development of new cancer treatments. The aim of the alliance will be to "arm" Vion's Tapet bacterial vectors, which in preclinical studies have shown the ability to target and grow in solid tumors, with Epttco's prodrug activation technology, which uses enzymes to convert inactive prodrugs into cytotoxic anti-cancer agents. In doing so, the companies hope to create new cancer treatments that may be systemically delivered, and may potentially be more effective against a wide range of solid tumors, including metastases, and less toxic to normal tissues than current chemotherapeutic drugs.

Under the terms of the agreement, both parties will equally contribute technology and manpower to establish and test the combined therapeutic system. If a specific combination of the two technologies proves successful, the collaboration will seek a corporate partner to clinically develop and commercialize the combined system as a potential cancer therapeutic.

EPTTCO is a new company engaged in the design and development of therapeutics for cancer and other serious diseases, initially based on its prodrug activation systems.

Vion Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel products and technologies for the treatment of cancer and viral diseases.

For more information: Alan Kessman, CEO, Vion Pharmaceuticals, 4 Science Park, New Haven, CT 06511. Tel: 203-498-4210. Fax: 203-498-4211. Email: vioninfo@vionpharm.com.