Neogenix novel antibody selected as one of Windhover's 2011 Top 10 Projects to Watch

Neogenix Oncology, Inc. has announced that the company's novel antibody NEO-101, which targets pancreatic and colorectal cancer cells, has been selected as one of Windhover's 2011 Top 10 Projects to Watch.

Windhover is a leading health care strategy and business intelligence firm which utilizes an independent panel of industry experts for its annual selection of Top 10 Most Interesting Projects to Watch. Winners are required to meet multiple rigorous criteria including: unmet medical need, market potential, diversity of indications, strong science, and multi-level partnering opportunities. Neogenix Oncology was selected on the basis of its clinical development program for NEO-101 (Ensituximab) which is currently in phase 1/2A clinical trials for Pancreatic and Colorectal cancer at Johns Hopkins University Hospital and Duke University Medical Center. Neogenix Oncology is utilizing its companion diagnostic test to screen patients to determine if their tumors express the relevant target for treatment. Windhover promotes its Top 10 lists as delivering "projects and companies with high-value assets for partnership, and with the potential to create future growth through investments in deals."

Studies with the AsPC-1 Pancreatic tumor models treated with NEO-101 antibody demonstrated significant anti-tumor action, including some complete tumor regressions. The antibody appears to target a variant of MUC5AC that is expressed specifically by human colon and pancreatic tumor tissues and cell lines with minimal cross-reactivity to certain normal GI tract tissues. In vitro studies support ADCC activity that is specific to colon and pancreatic cancer cells. The expression of the NEO-101 variant is distinct from wild type MUC5AC mucins which are associated with gel forming glycoprotein's within mucosal secretions of the lung.

"Neogenix is honored that our NEO-101 (Ensituximab) antibody clinical program has been selected as one of Windhover's Top 10 Most Interesting Projects," said Dr. Albine Martin, COO of Neogenix Oncology. "As we progress through Phase 1/2A trials, we are optimistic that our partnerships will also accelerate advancement of our NEO-201 and NEO-301 preclinical programs for adenocarcinoma of the lung and other solid tumors. Neogenix is committed to providing real hope for cancer patients."

As a selected company, Neogenix will present at the 6^th Annual Windhover Therapeutic Area Partnerships conference November 30-December 2, 2011 in Boston, MA.