posted April 15, 1999

Entremed, Inc. Signs Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) With the National Cancer Institute to Advance Studies of an Orally Active Antitumor and Antiangiogenic Agent 2-Methoxyetsradiol

ROCKVILLE, Md April 6, 1999/Wired Bird at PSA Rising/ - EntreMed, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENMD) today announced that it is advancing the development of 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2), a potent anticancer agent and angiogenesis inhibitor, through a four-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Under the terms of the agreement, EntreMed scientists will provide 2ME₂ to the NCI for collaborative studies in preclinical pharmacology, toxicology, and anticipated clinical trials. EntreMed will also continue its comprehensive research efforts to demonstrate the effects of 2ME2 on tumor inhibition while preparing GMP material for clinical trials. Together with the NCI, the Company will design, review, and interpret the results of the preclinical studies required for the preparation and submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the Food and Drug Administration.

Dr. Shawn J. Green, EntreMed's Vice President of Discovery Research, commented on the Company's first small molecule product candidate: "2ME₂ is orally active at inhibiting the growth of metastatic and primary cancerous tumors in experimental rodent models. In these preclinical models, 2ME₂ has shown no overall toxicity at therapeutically effective doses."

Dr. Green continued, "While an estrogen derivative, studies of 2ME₂ failed to show any of the several effects associated with hormone treatment, such as uterine growth, carcinogenesis, or inhibition of white blood cell formation. Further, in sharp contrast to conventional chemotherapeutics, 2ME₂ targets rapidly growing cells with relative high specificity and does not kill non-dividing cells."

2ME₂ is the first product candidate from EntreMed to attack both compartments of cancer, the tumor cells and their blood supply. In addition to its marked effects on stopping the growth of malignant cells, 2ME₂ also acts as a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis by restriciting development of the blood vessels that transport life-sustaining nutrients to tumors. 2ME₂ has shown clear antitumor activity in vivo and in vitro at the National Cancer Institute, and in EntreMed-sponsored research in independent laboratories throughout the United States and in Europe.

Dr. Edward Sausville, Associate Director for the Developmental Therapeutics Program of the National Cancer Institute, commented on the 2ME₂ research underway: "The NCI is pleased to be collaborating with EntreMed to advance to the clinic this attractive antitumor compound which potentially can target both the tumor cell and the endothelial cell."

Dr. John W. Holaday, EntreMed Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer discussed the agreement, "EntreMed continues to derive an enormous benefit from its collaborations with the NCI, allowing us to advance the development of several angiogenesis inhibitors including thalidomide, Endostatin™ protein, Angiostatin® protein, and most recently 2-methoxyestradiol. With the signing of this CRADA with the NCI, we expect to complete the preclinical phase of 2ME₂ development this year."

EntreMed and the NCI have been collaborating on the development of 2ME₂ since1997 when they signed a CRADA Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore manufacturing processes and preclinical safety evaluations for 2ME₂. The Letter of Intent allowed immediate initiation of collaborative studies while negotiations were ongoing for the CRADA. The antiangiogenic properties of 2-methoxyestradiol, a naturally occurring metabolite of estrogen, were first described in 1994 by Dr. Robert D'Amato and others from the laboratory of Dr. Judah Folkman at Children's Hospital, Boston. Subsequent studies at EntreMed, and a number of other institutions and universities, revealed several biological properties associated with 2ME₂ which make it a distinctly attractive cancer therapeutic candidate.

Rockville, Md.-based EntreMed, Inc., The Angiogenesis Company™ , is a leader in the field of antiangiogenesis research, which studies the inhibition of abnormal blood vessel growth recently associated with a broad range of diseases. The Company's strategy is to accelerate development of its core technologies through collaborations and sponsored research programs with university medical departments, research companies and government laboratories. Rockville, Md.-based EntreMed, Inc., The Angiogenesis CompanyTM, is a leader in the field of antiangiogenesis research, which studies the inhibition of abnormal blood vessel growth recently associated with a broad range of diseases. The Company's strategy is to accelerate development of its core technologies through collaborations and sponsored research programs with university medical departments, research companies and government laboratories.

For further information, please visit the EntreMed web site at www.entremed.com.

Statements herein that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking and subject to risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including those set forth in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings under "Risk Factors," including risks relating to the early stage of products under development; uncertainties relating to clinical trials; dependence on third parties; future capital needs; and risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of the Company's proposed products (such as marketing, safety, regulatory, patent, product liability, supply, competition and other risks).

SOURCE Entremed, Inc.

© 1999 WiredBird

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