Helix BioPharma Corp. Announces Agreement in Principle With National Research Council of Canada to Collaborate on Various Immuno-Oncology Initiatives

AURORA, ON–(Marketwired – Jul 18, 2016) – Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP) (FRANKFURT: HBP) (“Helix” or the “Company”), an immuno-oncology company developing drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of cancer, today announced that an Agreement in Principle (“Agreement”) has been reached with the National Research Council of Canada (“NRC”) to collaborate on various immuno-oncology initiatives.

“Helix has been exploiting a camelid single domain antibody which was previously licenced from NRC and is currently in Phase II clinical studies for non-small cell lung cancer ‘NSCLC,'” said Dr. Heman Chao, “This Agreement will enable Helix, in collaboration with NRC, to further exploit novel antibodies to develop new DOS47 conjugates, develop new cell based therapies for the treatment of cancer and in addition, access to NRC’s cancer vaccine and immuno-therapeutics program.”

The agreement spells out a framework that would enable Helix to finalize a master agreement with NRC to develop new therapeutics for cancer immunotherapies and allows for discussion on a potential license of an antibody previously obtained from NRC under a material transfer agreement.

“We are very excited in strengthening our long standing and excellent relationship with NRC,” said Dr. Sven Rohmann, CEO of Helix. “Our leading clinical candidate L-DOS47 that uses an NRC antibody is now in a Phase II NSCLC study which is being conducted in Poland. This new agreement will enable Helix to further expand the DOS47 pipeline, develop new immuno-oncology assets and gain access to world class scientific expertise. “

About L-DOS47

L-DOS47 is Helix’s first immunoconjugate based drug candidate in development based on the Company’s novel DOS47 platform technology, which is designed to use an innovative approach to modify the microenvironmental conditions of cancer cells in a manner that leads to their destruction.

About Helix BioPharma Corp.

Helix BioPharma Corp. is an immuno-oncology company specializing in the field of cancer therapy. The company is actively developing innovative products for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on its proprietary technologies. Helix’s product development initiatives include its novel L-DOS47 new drug candidate. Helix is currently listed on the TSX and FSE under the symbol “HBP”.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risks and Uncertainties

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including, without limitation, those relating to the potential benefits of Helix’s DOS47 platform in the treatment of cancer. Forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words including, without limitation, “will”, “potential”, “benefits” and other similar expressions, are intended to provide information about management’s current plans and expectations regarding future operations.

Although Helix believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated and no assurance can be given that these expectations will be realized, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, (i) the inherent uncertainty involved in scientific research and drug development; (ii) the risks associated with delay or inability to complete clinical trials successfully; (iii) need to secure additional financing on terms satisfactory to Helix or at all; (iv) clinical trials that yield negative results, or results that do not justify future clinical development, including that the Polish Phase I/II clinical trial for L-DOS47 will yield negative results; and (v) those risks and uncertainties affecting the company as more fully described in Helix’s most recent Annual Information Form, including under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”, filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com (together, the “Helix Risk Factors”). Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, that the Helix Risk Factors will not cause Helix’s actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. 

Forward-looking statements and information are based on the beliefs, assumptions and expectations of Helix’s management on the date of this news release, and Helix does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or information should those beliefs, assumptions or expectations, or other circumstances change, except as required by law.