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OXiGENE to Focus Ophthalmology Strategy Toward Non-Invasive Administration of CA4P for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD); Closes Enrollment of Phase II CA4P Clinical Trial in Myopic Macular Degeneration (MMD-213).


WALTHAM, Mass. -- OXiGENE, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ
 in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations

U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on
: OXGN, XSSE: OXGN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases, announced today that it is planning to focus its ophthalmology strategy on oral or other non-intravitreal forms of administrations of Combretastatin A4 Phosphate (CA4P) for age-related macular degeneration Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
Degeneration of the macula (the central part of the retina where the rods and cones are most dense) that leads to loss of central vision in people over 60.
 (AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, www.amd.com) A major manufacturer of semiconductor devices including x86-compatible CPUs, embedded processors, flash memories, programmable logic devices and networking chips. ). "Having developed one of the leading current therapies for AMD during my tenure at Genentech, I am well aware of the advantages of better administration options in this disease state" commented Richard Chin, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe pursuing an indication in AMD for CA4P is the right strategy for patients provided we see maintenance of vision in a similar range as current antiangiogenic an·ti·an·gi·o·gen·ic
adj.
Inhibiting the growth of blood vessels.


antiangiogenic
 agents and CA4P continues to demonstrate an acceptable safety profile" Dr. Chin continued. "Our goal in ophthalmology, as in oncology, is to deploy our resources thoughtfully toward meeting the greatest unmet medical need."

The Company also announced the closure of enrollment of its Phase II CA4P clinical trial in myopic macular degeneration (MMD-213), with 22 of the previously planned 36 patients enrolled to date. The last of the enrolled patients are expected to complete the MMD MMD Movement for Multiparty Democracy (Zambia)
MMD Make My Day
MMD Merchant Mariner Document
MMD Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy
MMD Myotonic Dystrophy
MMD Mass Median Diameter
MMD Metal Matrix Diaphragm
 trial by the end of the year. This trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of three dose groups (27, 36, and 45 mg/m2) of CA4P for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal cho·roi·dal
adj.
Of or relating to the choroid.



choroidal

pertaining to or emanating from the choroid.


choroidal hypoplasia
 neovascularization (CNV) in subjects with pathologic myopia. "We are satisfied with the results of the trial to date and believe that we will have enough data from the trial to now focus our ophthalmology efforts on more effective methods of administration for AMD," added Dr. Chin. OXiGENE is committed to ophthalmology and is evaluating opportunities that it believes may provide the greatest benefit to patients from CA4P, which includes optimizing the dosage formulation for ease of administration.

Results from this trial are expected to be reported to be spoken of; to be mentioned, whether favorably or unfavorably.

See also: Report
 in the first quarter of 2007.

About the Trial:

MMD-213 is a Phase II, masked, parallel-group, dose-ranging, multi-center trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CA4P for treating subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in subjects with pathologic myopia. A total of 36 subjects, 12 per arm, were to be enrolled. Subjects are assigned to receive CA4P at doses of 27, 36 or 45 mg/m2. All subjects receive active treatment; however, patients and investigators are masked to dose. Patients are eligible to receive two doses of CA4P one week apart and are followed for 3 months for efficacy and safety. The primary efficacy variable in this trial is the best corrected ETDRS ETDRS Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study  visual function (visual acuity). Secondary variables include fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an interferometric, non-invasive optical tomographic imaging technique offering millimeter penetration (approximately 2-3 mm in tissue) with micrometer-scale axial and lateral resolution.  (OCT OCT ornithine carbamoyltransferase; oxytocin challenge test.

OCT

ornithine carbamoyl transferase, a liver specific enzyme.

OCT Oxytocin stress test, see there
). All efficacy variables are evaluated by a masked grader. Safety is being assessed via vital signs, laboratory tests, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fungus examination, fundus fundus /fun·dus/ (fun´dus) pl. fun´di   [L.] the bottom or base of anything; the bottom or base of an organ, or the part of a hollow organ farthest from its mouth.  photography, serial ECGs and elicited and observed adverse events. Informal data reviews are conducted by OXiGENE throughout the trial to ensure patient safety. Patients who have already been assigned to treatment will have the opportunity to continue in the trial as planned. To date, the safety profile observed in this trial has been consistent with other trials of CA4P.

About OXiGENE, Inc.

OXiGENE is an emerging pharmaceutical company developing novel small-molecule therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases. The Company's major focus is the clinical advancement of drug candidates that selectively disrupt abnormal blood vessels associated with solid tumor progression and visual impairment. OXiGENE is dedicated to leveraging its intellectual property position and therapeutic development expertise to bring life saving and enhancing medicines to patients.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and  of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to: the ability to develop noninvasive means of administration of CA4P for AMD, the ability to demonstrate CA4P's acceptable safety profile, the ability to maintain vision in a similar range as current antiangiogenic agents, the timing and results and presentation of data in the Phase II clinical trial Noun 1. phase II clinical trial - a clinical trial on more persons than in phase I; intended to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment for the condition it is intended to treat; possible side effects are monitored
phase II
 in MMD-213, and the capability to broaden ophthalmology targets to include AMD and further develop CA4P for use in ophthalmologic indications. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this press release may turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions OXiGENE might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in OXiGENE's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including OXiGENE's Form 10-Q, 8-K and 10-K reports. However, OXiGENE undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 for a description of these risks.
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Publication:Business Wire
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Sep 12, 2006
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