Clinical Data Presented on Lead Drug Candidates from HyperAcute[TM] Platform Demonstrate Chemosensitization Potential in Pancreatic Cancer and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Ames, IA, September 12, 2013 (Accesswire) - NewLink Genetics Corporation (NLNK), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company specializing in immunotherapy, today announced that a clinical presentation on its proprietary HyperAcute immunotherapy platform has been selected for the upcoming 2013 European Cancer Congress (ESMO). The meeting will be held September 27 to October 1, 2013 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Four of the NewLink HyperAcute product candidates that have advanced into clinical trials will be featured in a poster presentation. Data presented will include the potential sensitizing effect of HyperAcute immunotherapy to salvage chemotherapy including algenpantucel-L in pancreatic cancer and tergenpumatucel-L in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Additionally, immunological data to HyperAcute immunotherapy are outlined, including the universal development of auto antibodies with HyperAcute melanoma treatment. NewLinks HyperAcute immunotherapies are designed to stimulate the human immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

The greater than expected responses to salvage chemotherapy subsequent to treatment with NewLinks proprietary HyperAcute immunotherapies are particularly interesting and are being explored more robustly in ongoing clinical trials, commented Charles Link, Jr., MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NewLink. We plan to evaluate the impact of tergenpumatucel-L treatment followed by subsequent standard of care chemotherapy in our ongoing Phase 2B/3 non-small-cell-lung cancer trial.

Poster Presentations: Monday, September 30, 2013, 2:00-4:30 PM, Chemo-sensitization and immunological reactions to hyperacute immunotherapy, a novel approach to cancer treatment, John C. Morris MD, Poster Session: Gastrointestinal Malignancies Non-colorectal Lung Cancer, Location: Hall H, Amsterdam RAI Congress Centre.

About HyperAcute Immunotherapy

NewLinks HyperAcute immunotherapy platform creates novel biologic products that are designed to stimulate the human immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. HyperAcute product candidates are composed of human cancer cells that are tumor specific, but not patient specific. These cells have been modified to express alpha-gal, a carbohydrate for which humans have pre-existing immunity. These alpha-gal-modified cells stimulate a rapid and powerful human immune response that trains the bodys natural defenses to seek out and destroy cancer cells. The objective of HyperAcute immunotherapies is to elicit an antitumor response by educating the immune system to attack a patients own cancer cells. HyperAcute immunotherapies do not require any tissue from individual patients and use intact whole cells rather than cell fragments or purified proteins. We believe these unique properties of HyperAcute products result in the stimulation of a robust immune response.

NewLink's lead product candidate, algenpantucel-L (HyperAcute pancreas), is being studied in a Phase 3 trial (IMPRESS: Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Resectable cancer Survival Study) under a Special Protocol Assessment with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This trial involves up to 722 patients with surgically resected pancreatic cancer. Algenpantucel-L is also being tested in a second Phase 3 study (PILLAR: "Pancreatic Immunotherapy with algenpantucel-L for Locally Advanced non-Resectable"), involving patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

NewLink has several HyperAcute product candidates focused on other tumor types in various stages of development, including tergenpumatucel-L, which is in an adaptive design, randomized Phase 2B/3 clinical trial currently accruing up to 240 patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

About NewLink Genetics Corporation NewLink is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel immunotherapeutic products to improve treatment options for patients with cancer. NewLink's portfolio includes biologic and small molecule immunotherapy product candidates intended to treat a wide range of oncology indications. NewLink's product candidates are designed to harness multiple components of the immune system to combat cancer without significant incremental toxicity, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatment regimens. For more information please visit http://www.linkp.com. Patient information is available at http://www.pancreaticcancer-clinicaltrials.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements of NewLink that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "target," "potential," "will," "could," "should," "seek," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about: the prospects of algenpantucel-L, tergenpumatucel-L, indoximid and our other HyperAcute and/or IDO pathway product candidates and related trials; and any other statements other than statements of historical fact. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that NewLink makes due to a number of important factors, including those risks discussed in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in NewLink's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013, Form S-3 Registration Statement filed December 28, 2012 and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent NewLink's views as of the date of this press release. NewLink anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while it may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing NewLink's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Continued here:
NewLink Genetics to Present Data on Cancer Immunotherapy Programs at the 2013 European Cancer Congress

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