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| Contact: Patrick D. Walsh Atairgin Technologies Chief Executive Officer (800) 833-1193 Robert M. Whetstone or Kristin Bruno luxury hotels in MaastrichtATAIRGIN EXPANDS ONCOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAM WITH M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER hôtels BilbaoIrvine, Calif. - August 16, 1999 - Atairgin Technologies, Inc. today announced it has expanded its oncology program at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to include research on the development of a therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer in addition to its ongoing ovarian cancer diagnostic program. Under the direction of Gordon B. Mills, M.D., Ph.D., chair of M.D. Anderson's Department of Molecular Oncology, and Xianjun Fang, Ph.D. of the Department of Molecular Biology, both programs will focus on Atairgin's platform technology in lysophospholipids. alloggi scontati ManilaThe first, focusing on early detection of ovarian cancer, is a continuation of a successful collaboration initiated two years ago. hotels in TallinnThis collaboration has provided access to important blood samples and a wealth of research expertise, with the ultimate goal of developing an early detection marker for ovarian and other gynecological cancers. The second sponsored research collaboration provides for application of Atairgin's technology to developing potential therapeutic agents. "We are extremely pleased to be working with renowned clinicians such as Dr. Mills and Dr. Robert C. Bast Jr., head of the Division of Medicine at M.D. Anderson," said Patrick D. Walsh, chief executive officer of Atairgin Technologies. "As members of our scientific advisory board, we welcome their participation and guidance as we work towards commercialization of our ovarian diagnostic for early detection of ovarian cancer." The company's initial research has indicated that levels of certain bioactive lipid regulators, known as lysophospholipids, may be exceedingly high in abnormal tissues. Researchers have noted that the presence of this tumor marker is independent of the stage of the tumor growth and may, therefore, provide an early means for detecting ovarian cancer. Additionally, the company has identified several compounds that may inhibit the activity of certain bioactive lipid agents. Atairgin believes that these compounds may be able to arrest abnormal cell growth by selectively blocking the activity of these lipids and their receptors. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. With currently available diagnostics, it is estimated that more than 70 percent of all women with ovarian cancer will not be diagnosed until the disease has spread beyond the ovary. However, if the cancer is diagnosed and treated while still localized, the five-year survival rate is nearly 95 percent. Atairgin Technologies, founded in 1996, is an emerging technology company dedicated to improving diagnostic and therapeutic treatment options of reproductive cancers. The company's lead products are directed toward ovarian and breast cancer diagnostics. |