<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
Interesting article attached.  Are medical advisors for the list
looking into this type of research?
 
Take Care,
 John
 
   John L. Dettling, Jr.                  WILD ABOUT WILDFLOWERS?
   [log in to unmask]                   http://www.wild-flowers.com
   Louise, Texas
 
 
   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
   Allelix Biopharmaceuticals Inc.
   Jerry Ormiston
   (905) 677-0831 Ext. 223
   or
   Veritas Communications Inc.
   Stephen Bingham/Nancy Shea.
   (416) 482-2248
   or
   The Toronto Hospital
   Josey Panetta
   (416) 340-4800 Exit. 4097
   or
   University of Toronto
   Michelle Noble
   (416) 978-5949
     _________________________________________________________________
 
 
NEWS RELEASE TRANSMITTED BY CANADIAN CORPORATE NEWS
 
TSE, ME SYMBOL:  AXB
 
JULY 22, 1996
 
Allelix - Canadian Scientists Discover Role of Intestinal Growth Hormone New
Treatments Now Made Possible for Debilitating Bowel Diseases
 
TORONTO, ONTARIO--Canadian scientists announced today the discovery of the
function of the peptide-hormone GLP-2, a finding that will likely lead to
treatments that will help thousands of people who suffer from intestinal
diseases that interfere with the body's ability to absorb nutrients from
food.
 
After six years of research, a team led by Dr. Daniel J. Drucker, MD, of the
Toronto Hospital and the University of Toronto's Banting and Best Diabetes
Centre, has found that the peptide-hormone GLP-2 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-2),
a naturally occurring peptide (small protein), powerfully stimulates the
growth of the lining of the small intestine, vital to digesting food.  The
findings were published today in the journal Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences.
 
"Medical science has not previously been able to stimulate the body's
natural mechanisms to encourage growth and repair of the lining of the small
intestine," said Dr. Drucker.  "We have found that GLP-2 produces a marked
increase in intestinal growth, within four days, when introduced in animals.
This finding may well result in major benefits for patients with severely
compromised intestinal function, allowing treatment that will grow new cells
in the lining of the small intestine."
 
Allelix Biopharmaceuticals Inc., a Toronto biotechnology company, is
developing GLP-2 for use as a drug to treat patients suffering from
intestinal diseases.  Allelix, the Toronto Hospital and the University of
Toronto have established a collaboration to speed the research and
commercial development of GLP-2 and related peptides. Allelix has been
working with Dr. Drucker's group for nearly four years, and the
collaboration has accelerated the development of promising drug candidates
for diseases for which no treatments are available.
 
"The growth-promoting properties of GLP-2 appear to be highly specific to
the  lining of the small intestine," said Dr. John Dietrich, Senior Vice
President Research and Development at Allelix.  "This is a key factor in
using the peptide as a potential drug, since one of its advantages is that
it appears to affect only the target cells lining the small intestine,
minimizing the risk of side effects."
 
The lining of the small intestine (epithelium) passes nutrients from the
food we eat into the body.  Several serious medical conditions can interfere
with the function of the epithelium, including Crohn's disease, ilieitis,
and intestinal inflammation.  In addition, treatment by chemotherapy and
radiation damages the lining of the intestine in cancer patients.  This is a
large market opportunity.
 
"Allelix is expanding its portfolio of therapeutic protein products with
this new and vitally important R&D effort," said Graham Strachan, President
and CEO of Allelix.  "The  experience we gained developing parathyroid
hormone (PTH) for the treatment of osteoporosis, and the related
manufacturing process, is transferable to the development of GLP-2.  We have
enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Dr. Drucker's group for
nearly four years."
 
Allelix Biopharmaceuticals Inc. is a Canadian biotechnology company that
discovers and develops innovative pharmaceutical products that are
commercialized internationally in partnership with established
pharmaceutical companies.  The company has developed significant research
and development collaborations with Astra AB, Hoechst Marion Roussel, Eli
Lilly and Groupe Fournier.  Allelix products in clinical trials include
ALX1-11, recombinant human parathyroid hormone, in Phase II clinical trials
for the treatment of osteoporosis, and ALX40-4C in Phase I/II trials for the
treatment of HIV and Cytomegalovirus.  Allelix's research programs focus on
developing protein therapeutics, neuropharmaceuticals, and transcription
therapeutics.
 
The Toronto Hospital is Canada's largest acute care teaching facility with
approximately 1,200 beds.  It has achieved an international reputation for
excellence in patient care, teaching and research in its four designated
priority programs: cardiac sciences, neurosciences, transplantation and
oncology.
 
The University of Toronto is Canada's preeminent research university and one
of the world's leading publicly-funded research institutes.  The
university's Faculty of Medicine and its partner teaching hospitals make up
one of North America's largest academic health science complexes.