RNS Number:2034Z
Antisoma PLC
29 July 2002

                     Antisoma granted UK patent for caspase



29 July 2002, London, UK - Antisoma plc (LSE:ASM, NASD:ASOM), the UK-based
biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of products for the
treatment of cancer, today announces that it has been granted a UK patent for
fusion proteins consisting of a tumour targeting portion such as an antibody,
with a constitutively active caspase enzyme.



Antisoma announced in May, the strengthening of its targeted apoptosis programme
with the addition of a third enzyme, caspase, supplementing its leading position
with RNase and DNase.  All three enzymes are central to the activation of
apoptosis, the natural mechanism of cell death that is inhibited in many types
of cancer cells.



Antisoma is working with scientists at Imperial College, London, on the targeted
introduction of specific enzymes to tumour cells.  The research programme is
concentrating on caspases 3,6, and 7, the so-called "executioner caspases".
Once activated, these caspases lead to irreversible cell death.  A range of
antibody caspase fusion proteins have been made and in vitro experiments have
demonstrated that antibody-targeted caspase can target, bind to and kill tumour
cells.



Products resulting from this research programme will now have patent protection
in the UK until 2022.  Applications have also been made for patents worldwide.



Enquiries:


Antisoma plc
Glyn Edwards, Chief Executive Officer                Tel: +44 (0)20 8799 8200

Financial Dynamics
Jonathan Birt                                        Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113



Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed in
this statement are forward looking statements that are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. These risks and uncertainties may be associated with product
discovery and development, including statements regarding the company's clinical
development programmes, the expected timing of clinical trials and regulatory
filings. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but
actual results may differ materially.



Notes to Editors



Antisoma

Antisoma is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel products for the
treatment of cancer. Using its drug development experience, the Company aims to
produce safer and more effective tumour targeting therapies for
commercialisation by pharmaceutical partners. Antisoma acquires the rights to
promising new product candidates through partnerships with internationally
recognised academic or cancer research institutions. These include the lead
product candidate, pemtumomab, which was licensed from the Imperial Cancer
Research Fund and is currently in a Phase III study as adjuvant treatment for
ovarian cancer, with designated Orphan Drug status in the US and EU. There are
three additional products in the clinical pipeline, Therex, DMXAA and TheraFab,
and an extensive pre-clinical programme.  Visit www.antisoma.com for further
information about Antisoma.




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