DelMar Pharmaceuticals Presents Data Supporting VAL-083 as a Potential Treatment for Three Chemotherapy Resistant Cancers

VANCOUVER, British Columbia and MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: DMPI) ("DelMar" and "DelMar Pharma") today announced the presentation of data at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Annual Meeting. The data presented today, along with historical research by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), support the utility of VAL-083 as a potential new treatment for three chemotherapy resistant cancers: glioblastoma (GBM), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

"Chemotherapy resistance continues to be a major therapeutic hurdle in treating cancers," said Jeffrey Bacha, president and CEO of DelMar Pharma.  "In our studies and numerous clinical studies by the National Cancer Institute, VAL-083 has shown therapeutic safety and efficacy in treating a broad range of cancers. The data we presented today show that the VAL-083's unique mechanism of action could be an important new therapeutic to treat glioblastoma, chronic myelogenous leukemia and non-small cell lung cancer, where chemotherapy resistance remains a significant unmet clinical need."

DelMar Pharma's lead drug candidate, VAL-083, benefits from historical development activities at the NCI, where VAL-083's unique mechanism and safety in patients was well studied. Published historical and DelMar's new pre-clinical and clinical data demonstrate that VAL-083 is active against a range of tumor types and is well tolerated. 

Mr. Bacha continued, "Building upon an existing database of more than 1,000 patients in the U.S. and more than 40 Phase I and II NCI-sponsored human clinical trials, we have seen deep insights into VAL-083 safety and efficacy, which will help us streamline development and commercialization in orphan cancer indications where an unmet medical need remains in-spite of modern advances in cancer therapy."

VAL-083 is approved as a cancer chemotherapeutic in China for the treatment of CML and lung cancer.  In addition, VAL-083 has been granted orphan drug status for the treatment of gliomas in the United States and in Europe. VAL-083 is currently undergoing clinical trials in the U.S. as a potential new therapy for patients suffering from refractory GBM, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer.

Mr. Bacha concluded, "With the preclinical research in refractory chronic myelogenous leukemia and non-small cell lung cancer that we presented today and our established relationships with leading clinical researchers, we will continue to accelerate development through clinical validation and commercial positioning, so we can get VAL-083 to patients whose cancer has become resistant to standard front-line therapy or who cannot tolerate current standard of care drugs."  

The data will be presented in a poster, entitled "The unique mechanism of action of VAL-083 may provide a new treatment option for some chemo-resistant cancers," during today's Therapeutic Agents Session from 12:30 pm to 7:30 pm EDT. 

DelMar's permanent AACR abstract (#B252) can be viewed by clicking here or searching http://www.abstractsonline.com/Plan/AdvancedSearch.aspx.

About DelMar Pharmaceuticals
Del Mar Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2010 to develop and commercialize proven cancer therapies in new orphan drug indications where patients are failing or have become intolerable to modern targeted or biologic treatments. The Company's lead asset, VAL-083, is currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States as a potential treatment for refractory glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer. VAL-083 has been extensively studied by U.S. National Cancer Institute, and is currently approved for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and lung cancer in China. Published pre-clinical and clinical data suggest that VAL-083 may be active against a range of tumor types via a novel mechanism of action which distinct from current therapies.

Safe Harbor Statement
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's ability to develop, market and sell products based on its technology; the expected benefits and efficacy of the Company's products and technology; the availability of substantial additional funding for the Company to continue its operations and to conduct research and development, clinical studies and future product commercialization; and, the Company's business, research, product development, regulatory approval, marketing and distribution plans and strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the SEC, including, our current reports on Form 8-K. We do not undertake to update these forward-looking statements made by us.

For further information, please visit www.delmarpharma.com.

SOURCE DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.