Corporate | 15 September 2011 10:34

WILEX AG: WILEX starts first oral Phase I study with MEK inhibitor WX-554

WILEX AG / Key word(s): Research Update

15.09.2011 / 10:34

PRESS RELEASE

WILEX starts first oral Phase I study with MEK inhibitor WX-554

Munich, 15 September 2011. WILEX AG (ISIN DE0006614720 / WL6 / Frankfurt Stock Exchange) announced today the start of another Phase I trial with the small-molecule MEK inhibitor WX-554. The study is being conducted in healthy volunteers at a single site in Germany. The trial aims to determine safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various single doses of the orally administered MEK inhibitor. Studies in cancer patients are expected to commence early next year.

The oral Phase I programme follows the successfully completed Phase I study with an intravenous formulation and will therefore also deliver an estimate of the bioavailability of the drug candidate.

The German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) approved this Phase I trial with the WX-554 in August 2011. WILEX expects study data in the first quarter of 2012.

About WX-554
The small-molecule MEK inhibitor is one of five oncology preclinical programmes obtained under the strategic alliance agreed with UCB in January 2009 and is being clinically developed by WILEX. Mitogen activated protein kinase (MEK) has been shown to play a central role in signal transduction. The MEK signalling pathway is over expressed in more than 30% of cancers, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. The first Phase I trial was successfully completed in the summer of 2010. The 25 volunteers in the dose escalation trial safely tolerated the intravenously administered WX-554.

About WILEX AG
WILEX AG is a biopharmaceutical company based in Munich, Germany. Focused on oncology, the company has a broad portfolio of near-to-market therapeutic and diagnostic products for the targeted treatment and specific detection of various types of cancer. The company's therapeutic product candidates are based on antibodies and small molecules. Through its US subsidiary WILEX Inc. in Cambridge, MA, WILEX markets a portfolio of research use only and in vitro diagnostic tests under the brand Oncogene Science. These diagnostic tests could be developed as companion diagnostics in clinical trials and for therapy monitoring. The wholly owned subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma AG gives WILEX access to an attractive and highly promising antibody drug conjugate technology platform and a pre-clinical service business. The business model of WILEX covers the entire value chain in the oncology market and comprises research, technology, development collaboration as well as sales and marketing. WILEX's customers and partners include leading international pharmaceutical companies. Website: http://www.wilex.com, ISIN DE0006614720 / WKN 661472 / Symbol WL6

Contact
Katja Arnold (CIRO)
Corporate Communications
WILEX AG
Grillparzerstr. 10
81675 Munich, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)89-41 31 38-126
Fax: +49 (0)89-41 31 38-99
E-Mail: mailto: investors@wilex.com

This communication contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the Company's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'estimates', 'believes', 'expects', 'may', 'will' 'should' 'future', 'potential' or similar expressions or by a general discussion of the Company's strategy, plans or intentions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results of operations, financial position, earnings, achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, earnings or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors and partners are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

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Language:	English
Company:	WILEX AG
	Grillparzerstr. 10
	81675 München
	Germany
Phone:	+49 (0)89 41 31 38 – 0
Fax:	+49 (0)89 41 31 38 – 99
E-mail:	info@wilex.com
Internet:	www.wilex.com
ISIN:	DE0006614720
WKN:	661472
Listed:	Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart

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