Novelos Therapeutics and Academic Collaborators Present Scientific Findings at International Cancer Conference

Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB: NVLT), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutics to treat cancer and hepatitis, today announced that Novelos is presenting two scientific posters, based on collaborations with Drs. Kenneth Tew and Danyelle Townsend of the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, and Drs. Alberto Montero and C. Marcela Diaz-Montero of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL at the ongoing AACR-EORTC-NCI International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Boston, MA. These presentations report findings in animal and cellular tumor model systems that add to the understanding of the pharmacological actions of NOV-002 and how these may relate to its clinical profile in oncology patients. An abstract of each poster presentation has been published in the conference proceedings. NOV-002 is in a pivotal Phase 3 trial for non-small cell lung cancer under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) and Fast Track, which is expected to conclude in early 2010. NOV-002 has also demonstrated positive results in Phase 2 trials for other cancer indications.

NOV-002, a Cellular Redox Modulator, Enhances the Anti-Tumor Effect of Adoptively Transferred T cells in a Murine Melanoma Model. Drs. Alberto Montero and C. Marcela Diaz-Montero are presenting data showing that NOV-002 added to immunotherapy (adoptively transferred, tumor-specific T cells) increased survival and slowed tumor growth in this in vivo tumor model. Together with earlier work by these investigators showing that NOV-002 administered to mice suppressed the function of T cell-inhibiting myeloid-derived suppressor cells, these findings provide further evidence of the ability of NOV-002 to increase anti-tumor cellular immune responses in vivo.

NOV-002 Suppresses Tumor Cell Growth by Modulating Redox-Sensitive Cell Signaling. Drs. Tew and Townsend’s presentation of results in human tumor cell lines describes the ability of NOV-002 to inhibit tumor cell proliferation in vitro consequent to generation of oxidative signals and activation of cell signaling pathways that control cell survival. Their earlier published work showed that, in contrast to these findings, redox modulation by NOV-002 in myeloid lineage cells resulted in increased proliferation.

"The data being presented at the EORTC International Conference reinforce the hypothesis that NOV-002 may provide in vivo anti-cancer efficacy via a combination of direct inhibition of tumor growth and enhancement of anti-tumor cellular immune responsiveness,” said Christopher Pazoles, Ph.D., Vice President of Research & Development of Novelos. "The reported findings also support the concept that the dual actions of NOV-002 in cancer patients as both a chemopotentiator and a chemoprotectant may reflect similar redox modulation in tumor and myeloid cells that results in opposite proliferative responses.”

The posters are available at www.novelos.com ‘Our Products’, ‘NOV-002’ section.

About Novelos Therapeutics, Inc.

Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company commercializing oxidized glutathione-based compounds for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis. NOV-002, the lead compound currently in Phase 3 development for lung cancer under SPA and Fast Track, acts together with chemotherapy as a chemopotentiator and a chemoprotectant. NOV-002 is also in Phase 2 development for early-stage breast cancer and chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer. Novelos has a partnership with Mundipharma, an independent associated company of Purdue, to develop and commercialize NOV-002 in Europe and Asia (excluding China). Novelos’ second compound, NOV-205, acts as a hepatoprotective agent with immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties. NOV-205 is in Phase 1b development for chronic hepatitis C non-responders. Both compounds have been partnered with Lee’s Pharm in China. For additional information about Novelos please visit www.novelos.com

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