BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - November 14, 2003
-Genta Incorporated (Nasdaq: GNTA) announced the presentation of
detailed scientific results from the Company's Phase 3 clinical
study of GenasenseTM (oblimersen sodium) plus chemotherapy in
patients with advanced malignant melanoma. The presentation was
made today by Dr. Michael Millward, Cancer Foundation Professor of
Clinical Research, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia,
at the 6th "Perspectives in Melanoma" meeting in Miami, FL.
Summary results from this trial were previously released by
Genta on September 10, 2003. Slides from today's presentation are
available for viewing via the Company's website at:
http://www.genta.com/
and will be made available until November 21, 2003.
About Genasense
Genasense is the first oncology drug of its kind to directly
target the biochemical pathway (known as apoptosis) whereby cancer
cells are ultimately killed by chemotherapy. Genasense is believed
to inhibit the production of Bcl-2, a protein that is highly
expressed in advanced malignant melanoma and that is believed to be
a fundamental cause of resistance to anticancer therapy. By
inhibiting Bcl-2, Genasense may greatly improve the activity of
anticancer therapy. Genasense, which is being developed in
collaboration with Aventis, is currently the subject of more than
20 clinical studies, including randomized trials in patients with
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma, prostate
cancer, small cell lung cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer.
Additional non-randomized trials are ongoing for patients with
myeloma, non- Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), acute myeloid leukemia,
mantle cell lymphoma, and cancers of the breast, lung, colon,
prostate, stomach, pancreas, liver and kidney.
About Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. The
incidence of this disease is increasing by approximately 4%
annually in the US. In 2002, almost 54,000 cases of malignant
melanoma were diagnosed. Melanoma is the number one cause of cancer
death in women aged 25 to 30. For more information on melanoma
please visit :
http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancer_information/cancer_type/melanoma
About Genta
Genta Incorporated is a biopharmaceutical company with a
diversified product portfolio that is focused on delivering
innovative products for the treatment of patients with cancer. The
Company's research platform is anchored by two major programs that
center on oligonucleotides (RNA and DNA-based medicines) and small
molecules. Genasense
TM
(oblimersen sodium), the Company"s lead compound from its
oligonucleotide program, is being developed with Aventis and is
currently undergoing late-stage, Phase 3 clinical testing. The
leading drug in Genta's small molecule program is Ganite
TM
(gallium nitrate injection), which the Company is exclusively
marketing in the U.S. for treatment of patients with cancer-related
hypercalcemia that is resistant to hydration. For more information
about Genta, please visit our website at:
http://www.genta.com/
.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with
respect to business conducted by Genta Incorporated. By their
nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks
and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on
circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number
of factors that could cause actual results and developments to
differ materially. For a discussion of those risks and
uncertainties, please see the Company"s Annual
Report/Form 10-K
for 2002.
SOURCE: Genta Incorporated
