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16/06/2008

Antisoma announces AS1413 (Xanafide) presentation at EHA

London, UK, and Copenhagen, Denmark, 16 June 2008 – Cancer drug developer Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) announces that a review of data supporting the development of AS1413 (amonafide L-malate; formerly Xanafide) in secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) was presented yesterday at the European Hematology Association (EHA) meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. The presentation was made by Robert L. Capizzi, M.D., Xanthus’ Chief Medical Officer, and is available on Antisoma’s website at http://www.antisoma.com/asm/products/as1413

AS1413 is in a randomised phase III registration trial under a special protocol assessment (SPA) agreed with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of secondary AML.

Enquiries:
Glyn Edwards, CEO
Daniel Elger, Director of Communications              +44 (0) 7909 915 068
Antisoma plc

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.

About AS1413 and secondary AML
AS1413 (amonafide L-malate; formerly Xanafide) is a DNA intercalator that induces apoptotic signalling by blocking TopoII binding to DNA. This is different from the action of classical TopoII inhibitors, which induce apoptosis by causing extensive DNA damage. A further distinctive feature of AS1413 is its ability to evade Pgp and related transporters responsible for multi-drug resistance. AS1413 is being developed for the treatment of secondary acute myeloid leukaemia and related disorders. Secondary AML patients have had either antecedent myelodysplastic syndrome or prior exposure to leukaemogenic therapy and represent a poor prognosis population. In both phase I and phase II studies conducted in patients with poor-risk AML, AS1413 exhibited promising clinical activity in patients with secondary AML. AS1413 is currently in a phase III clinical trial under an SPA agreement with the FDA. AS1413 has also been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA and the EMEA for use in the treatment of AML.

Background on Antisoma
Antisoma is a London Stock Exchange-listed biopharmaceutical company that develops novel products for the treatment of cancer. The Company has operations in the UK and the US. Please visit www.antisoma.com for further information about Antisoma.