Boston Life Sciences' Collaboration Identifies Growth Factor for Regeneration of Optic Nerve.

Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers

BOSTON--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 14, 2001

Discovery reported at Annual Meeting of Society for Neuroscience 

in San Diego, CA

Boston Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:BLSI) announced that scientists at Children's Hospital, Boston led by Dr. Larry Benowitz, have identified and isolated a previously unknown naturally-occurring nerve growth factor that can potentially stimulate regeneration of the optic nerve. This discovery is the subject of a presentation by the Benowitz team at today's meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, CA.

"This extraordinary work by Dr. Benowitz and his team represents yet another breakthrough by our collaborating scientists in understanding the potential for nerve regeneration in the Central Nervous System (CNS)," stated Dr. Marc Lanser, Chief Scientific Officer of BLSI. "In addition to Inosine, which is the only known endogenous small molecule known to regenerate motor tracts in the CNS, we can now claim this agent as the first optic nerve regenerative factor ever identified. We expect to initiate human clinical trials with Inosine for functional recovery after stroke early next year, and will work in parallel to get this new optic nerve regenerative factor into clinical testing in glaucoma as soon as possible as well," added Dr. Lanser.

The optic nerve growth factor is produced uniquely by inflammatory cells (macrophages). The purified factor causes nerve cells of the retina (retinal ganglion cells) to produce axons in vitro; these axons correspond to those produced in vivo regeneration of the optic nerve itself. A U.S. patent application has been filed claiming the use of this factor to regenerate the optic nerve in glaucoma and other neuro-degenerative conditions. BLSI is the exclusive Licensee of this patent application. Studies are presently underway to test the ability of this factor to regenerate the optic nerve in live animals in various models of optic nerve injury. In parallel, work is being performed on an intra-ocular delivery system to optimize the local delivery of the factor to the retina.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of partial blindness in developed countries, affecting approximately 3 million individuals in the U.S. Glaucoma is a condition caused by an abnormal increase in intraocular pressure, which in turn results in degeneration of the optic nerve. Normalization of intra-ocular pressure, which is the mainstay of therapy, can prevent further loss of sight, but cannot alone restore vision that has already been lost. The nerve cells that generate or constitute the optic nerve do, however, retain the natural ability to regenerate the axons (connecting fibers) that populate the optic nerve provided the proper growth factor is present. It is hoped therefore, that this product will induce the regeneration of optic nerve fibers that have been lost thereby facilitating restoration of sight.

BLSI is developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics for Parkinson's Syndrome (PS) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as treatments for cancer, autoimmune disease, and central nervous system disorders. BLSI's products in development include: Altropane(TM) and Fluorotec(TM), radioimaging agents for the diagnosis of PS and ADHD; Troponin I, a naturally-occurring anti-angiogenesis factor for the treatment of solid tumors; AF-1 and Inosine, nerve growth factors for the treatment of acute and chronic CNS disorders; novel therapies for the treatment of PS and ADHD; and transcription factors that may control the expression of molecules associated with autoimmune disease and allergies.

Statements made in this press release other than statements of historical fact represent forward-looking statements. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding expectations or beliefs as to future results or events, such as the expected timing and results of clinical trials, discussions with regulatory agencies, schedules of IND, NDA and all other regulatory submissions, the timing of product introductions, the possible approval of products, and the market size and possible advantages of the Company's products. All such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and actual results may vary materially from these statements. Factors that may affect future results include: the availability and adequacy of financial resources, the ability to obtain intellectual property protection, delays in the regulatory or development processes, results of scientific data from clinical trials, the outcome of discussions with potential partners, regulatory decisions, market acceptance of the Company's products, and other possible risks and uncertainties that have been noted in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.