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PRESS RELEASES ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals Appoints Dr. Mark J. Cantwell Director of Preclinical Programs SAN DIEGO – February 5, 2004 – ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: AVRX) announced today that Mark J. Cantwell, Ph.D., has joined the Company as Director of Preclinical Programs. Dr. Cantwell is responsible for preclinical research programs related to ADVENTRX Pharmaceutical's early-stage anticancer and antiviral drug candidates, as well as preclinical testing of new formulations and applications of its more advanced compounds, such as CoFactor(tm) for biomodulation of 5-FU cancer therapy and EradicAide(tm) Vaccine therapy for HIV/AIDS. "We are intensifying our preclinical efforts to move additional compounds in our product pipeline toward the clinic," said Joan M. Robbins, Ph.D., Chief Technical Officer of ADVENTRX. "Dr. Cantwell's diverse background in the fields of cancer, virology, and immunology will strengthen this preclinical effort and enable ADVENTRX to expand the potential applications for its compounds already in human testing." Prior to joining ADVENTRX, Dr. Cantwell spent five years at Tragen Pharmaceuticals, formerly Immunogenex Inc., a company specializing in immune therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. While at Tragen, Dr. Cantwell was a senior scientist involved in the preclinical development of Tragen's lead compound, Ad-ISF154, a recombinant adenovirus immune therapy for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that advanced into Phase I and II human clinical trials. Dr. Cantwell received his doctorate at the University of California, San Diego in the lab of Thomas J. Kipps, M.D., Ph.D., where they studied immunotherapeutic approaches to treatment of CLL. Dr. Cantwell received his B.S. in Applied Biology at Georgia Institute of Technology. About ADVENTRX ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical research and development company whose business strategy is to commercialize leading edge medical research through licensing agreements with prominent universities and research institutions. The Company focuses its energy in cancer and antiviral research to launch products that either extend the usefulness of current therapies or replace marginal therapies with new approaches to treatment. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are made based on management's current expectations and beliefs. Actual results may vary from those currently anticipated based upon a number of factors, including uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, the timing and success of clinical trials, the validity of research results, and the receipt of necessary approvals from the United States Food and Drug Administration. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Contact: Investor Contact: Stephanie Carrington, The Ruth Group 646-536-7017 Media Contact: Cynthia Isaac, Ph.D., The Ruth Group 646-536-7028 |
