Preclinical Data Confirm Anti-Angiogenic Effects of CancerVax Monoclonal Antibody

[CancerVax via BizWire]

95th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2004--CancerVax
Corporation (NASDAQ:CNVX) announced today preclinical results that
support the anti-angiogenic effects of H8, a humanized monoclonal
antibody to denatured collagen licensed to its wholly owned subsidiary
Cell-Matrix, Inc. The preclinical data, which were presented this week
during the Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision
and Ophthalmology, indicated that the H8 humanized monoclonal antibody
inhibits angiogenesis in animal models of choroidal neovascularization
(CNV), an ophthalmologic condition caused by excess growth of blood
vessels within the eye that is the major cause of severe visual loss
in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
In a poster entitled "Inhibitory Effect of an Antibody to Cryptic
Collagen Type IV Epitopes on Choroidal Neovascularization," it was
demonstrated that the H8 humanized monoclonal antibody binds to
hidden, or cryptic, binding sites on collagen that become exposed
during angiogenesis. In a murine model of CNV, H8 preferentially
recognized areas of new vascular growth but not existing normal
vasculature and inhibited angiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner.
At the recent 95th Annual Meeting of the American Association of
Cancer Research, CancerVax presented data demonstrating the ability of
this antibody to suppress blood vessel formation and inhibit tumor
growth in animal models of melanoma and breast cancer. Taken together,
these data suggest that the H8 humanized monoclonal antibody may be
applicable as a treatment for a variety of diseases where angiogenesis
supports unwanted vascular growth, including, potentially, cancer and
AMD.
"These findings confirm data previously generated by CancerVax
indicating that the H8 humanized monoclonal antibody inhibits
angiogenesis in animal models of several disease conditions," said
David F. Hale, President and CEO of CancerVax. "CancerVax intends to
continue to support efforts to develop products using this technology
that may benefit patients suffering from AMD and other diseases of the
back of the eye. We also plan to continue to develop these promising
humanized monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer, while
exploring opportunities to out-license non-cancer treatment
applications."

Background

The extracellular matrix is a molecular network that supports
cells and tissues and regulates cellular processes such as adhesion,
migration, gene expression and differentiation. Collagen proteins are
found in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue and blood
vessels. CancerVax's humanized monoclonal antibodies bind specifically
to hidden, or cryptic, binding sites within collagen. These sites
become exposed when collagen is altered during angiogenesis, which
occurs during tumor growth and metastasis as well as during other
diseases such as AMD. As a result of antibody binding to the cryptic
sites, angiogenesis is inhibited at these sites with little effect on
normal collagen proteins or existing blood vessels.

About CancerVax Corporation (www.cancervax.com)

CancerVax Corporation is a biotechnology company focused on the
research, development and commercialization of novel biological
products for the treatment and control of cancer. The Company's lead
product candidate, Canvaxin(TM), is one of a new class of products
being developed in the area of specific active immunotherapy, also
known as therapeutic cancer vaccines. Canvaxin(TM) is currently being
studied in two international Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment
of patients with Stage III or Stage IV, or advanced-stage, melanoma.
The Company is also finalizing the design of a Phase 2 clinical trial
in patients with Stage III colon cancer. In addition to Canvaxin(TM),
the Company plans to identify and develop new product candidates based
on its proprietary specific active immunotherapy, anti-angiogenesis
and T-oligonucelotide, or telomere homolog oligonucelotide, technology
platforms, as well as on its human monoclonal antibody technology.
CancerVax's corporate headquarters and research and development
facility is located in Carlsbad, California and its biologics
manufacturing facility is located in the Los Angeles, California area.
CancerVax cautions you that statements included in this press
release that are not a description of historical facts are
forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking
statements should not be regarded as a representation by CancerVax
that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ
materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and
uncertainties inherent in CancerVax's business including, without
limitation, statements about: difficulties or delays in research,
development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and
marketing its technologies and product candidates; unexpected adverse
side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its product
candidates that could delay or prevent product development or
commercialization, or that could result in recalls or product
liability claims; the scope and validity of patent protection for its
product candidates; its ability to meet product candidate development
objectives; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology
companies; its ability to obtain additional financing to support its
operations; its ability to attract and retain experienced scientists
and management; and other risks detailed in CancerVax's Securities and
Exchange Commission filings, including CancerVax's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All
forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement and CancerVax undertakes no obligation to revise
or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after
the date hereof.

CancerVax(R) is a registered trademark of CancerVax Corporation.
Canvaxin(TM) is a trademark of CancerVax Corporation.