Techniclone Announces Results From Phase I Study With Cotara At American Society of Clinical Oncology--ASCO--.

TUSTIN, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--May 17, 1999--

Techniclone Corporation (NASDAQ: TCLN) a developer of leading-edge unique therapeutics for the advanced treatment of cancer, announced today that the results from its Phase I study with Cotara(TM) for the treatment of brain cancer was presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Atlanta by Sunil Patel, M.D., Assistant Professor, Medical University of South Carolina. Although the twelve patient Phase I study was designed to determine the safety of Cotara(TM) with glioblastoma patients, the median time to progression and median time to survival data was very encouraging. The study results indicated that 50% of the patients were observed to have shrinkage/stabilization of their tumors post treatment, with approximately one-third of a therapeutic dose administered.

The patients in this Phase I study were diagnosed with either recurrent malignant multiforme (GBM) or anaplastic astrocytoma (AA). A single dose of Cotara(TM) was administered via an interstitial catheter placed stereotactically into the tumor by computer guidance.

Dr. Patel demonstrated in this study that Cotara(TM) was safe at the doses administered. Cotara(TM), which binds to dead/decaying cells found at the core of solid tumors, is radiolabeled with Iodine -131. This therapy allowed the dosing of patients with up to 15,000 centigray of radiation energy, which is approximately a three-fold increase in the maximum safe dose that can be given by external beam radiation alone.

"The trial design of our Phase II trial currently underway has benefited greatly from Dr. Patel's work in these Phase I clinical studies. In the Phase II trial, all patients will receive two doses, with each dose being infused through two interstitial catheters. This study will begin to examine efficacy and also establish the dosing regimen in newly diagnosed GBM patients, as well as recurrent GBM/AA patients", stated Dr. John Bonfiglio, Vice President of Technology and Business Development for Techniclone.

In addition to the Phase II clinical trials for Cotara(TM) in the U.S. for malignant glioma, a Phase I/II clinical trial just commenced in Mexico City for the treatment of solid tumors (pancreatic, prostate and liver cancer) with the drug.

Company Overview: Techniclone Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, commercializing and licensing of unique technologies for the treatment of cancer, primarily based on its "collateral targeting technologies." These technologies therapeutically target cell structure and cell types, rather than surface cancer cells, as a means to attack solid tumors, without causing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. In addition to Cotara(TM), the Company has a direct tumor targeting agent called Oncolym(R) for the treatment of advanced non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma, which is currently undergoing Phase II/III human testing. Techniclone recently entered into a worldwide Licensing Agreement for Oncolym(R) with Schering AG, Germany. Two other collateral targeting agents, Vasopermeation Enhancement Agents (VEA) and Vascular Targeting Agents (VTA) are in pre-clinical stages of development. VEAs are monoclonal antibodies that increase tumor blood vessel permeation for enhanced uptake of chemotherapeutic agents versus normal tissues, while VTAs are agents that block the flow of oxygen/nutrients to a solid tumor's vascular network, causing clotting and necrosis. VTAs also can deliver a wide variety of therapeutic agents to a solid tumor, including therapeutic agents, biologic agents, toxins and radioisotopes.

Additional information on the Company and its products can be found at www.techniclone.com.

Safe Harbor Statement: This release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations as a result of risk factors discussed in Techniclone's reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended January 31, 1999 and Form 10K for the year ended April 30, 1998.