Antisoma (LSE: ASM.L - news) shares could double if the ovarian cancer drug, R1549, is successful, and halve if it is not says the Independent. Given the probability of success, reckoned to be about 65%, that looks a gamble worth taking says the paper.

Do anyone know the cancer drug going on? share rise a bit today. Is it the prediction of the result is good?

narrow loss....

Loads of sells today and hardly any buys yet the price remains - what is afoot

thinking of buying in as it is nearing the bottom of the present cycle, anyone heard any rumours on the drug testing?

sod it, spent hubby's money anyway, lets hope the tests go well or I'll have to explain the dent in the savings account.

Anyone know why this rise has occured?

it tipped by IC recently

Antisoma (LSE: ASM) has developed a couple of drugs that treat cancer by choking off the supply of blood to tumours. Its AS1404 is expected to move into Phase II trials this year, and the company reckons that the drug has potential against a wide variety of cancers. Antisoma has also started first trials of its AS1405 in patients with a highly malignant brain cancer called glioma. However, the company is not expected to be profitable for at least the next two years.

i think ASM is similar to AZM at some point, drug share, AZM has make a miracle from 50p to now 1.60 so hopefully ASM will do the same.

a red day today.

Dont let it hurt Add I just did at 19p Roche is still firmly behind them.

""The outcome of this study will have no impact on our growth outlook and we
remain committed to our long-term relationship with Antisoma, which is based
upon multiple products,"" William Burns, Head of Roche''s Pharmaceuticals Division said.
""Drug development is a high-risk endeavour and such results are not
unexpected in the development of novel treatment modalities,"" he added.

Last year it halved on bad news, it was tipped to double if the news was good.
What will happen this year if good news flows from next stages of the drug developments. I am tempted to risk a bit on this on, anyone else hold ASM and have any thoughts?

andysmith
I hold asm and I have been adding while the price has been low this share will creep back up to were it was before a nice stock to add to when you feel like it.

I also hold seo as you do (Great minds A).

driver,
was tempted by ASM last year but didn't have enough funds, good job really!!
Releasing some profit soon and got a feeling that ASM worth a punt from here.
Hope it doesn't take-off before I'm in . Also hold MMG in similar field.
As we both have SEO, I will soon have ASM, worth you take a look at MDW, I'm up already and it has yet to fly!! These three could give us a fantastic 2005 with the POTENTIAL, here's hoping!!

Still creeping up, worth looking at if you`re not in already. Is 25p on the horizon for next couple of weeks? Looking strong at the moment.

dandu71
Its going up faster than the trains I drive, 25p easy.

Thanks driver, looking good matey.

Looking even better.

Can't believe it, then again!!
Couldn't decide what to do on Monday and thought there might be a pull back below 20p. There was briefly yesterday but I was out. Didn't get time this morning and suddenly got to pay 22.5p. Now deciding what to do, Would they have paid 11.2m for a company if it looked like the drug would bomb out? It would be very stupid to pay that on a hope. What stage is the Aptomera drug at? Still think I will get in or I know I'll kick myself, just trying to second guess whether now or will there be a drop back and better buying opportunity.

andysmith

Dont know about a drop back a lot of these drug companies slowly pull back after a drug fails to deliver and the next drug comes up from behind and dont forget they still have Roche behind them and a small yearly cash burn with plenty in the bank.

Still looking strong, I`m looking for 26p by the end of next week.

dandu71

Did you mean this week.

looking good for this week, question is how long can it keep this up before it pulls back?

Wish I knew, saw it down first thing and thought wait to see if it pulls back further, it did briefly mid-morning and then the 'kin things rocketed.
Is there anything to hold it back from marching to 45p where it was last year before the bad news. 1.5m buy at the end, should have just bought the damn things this morning!!
What do you reckon, get in before its too late or will it pull back to 22p.
I might just risk it and top up if it dos fall back.

andysmith

Take the plunge its going to be good in the long run either way.

I may top slice at around 25.5 if it reaches this figure tommorow. Can be a bit risky these pharmaceutical companies as you can see by the fall from lst year. Would like it to get recommended in IC tommorow, fingers crossed!!

Still looking good this morning, would expect further rises with buys outweighing sells 3:1

well it did get recommended. Have bought in this morning for 25p

Also finally got first thing today and am up already, wish I hadn't been out on Tuesday though. Never mind, rather be in now than not at all.

Some decent buying going on again here, with many trials in clinical phase and a good constant news stream this could be really interesting in 2005. Pharmas are eager for new products and ASM is one of a few bios with very interesting opportunities within their portfolio right now, second only to MMG IMO but at lower price. Worth watching but like all of these share types, chance to make good profits but not without risk. From <25p, its worth it to me as a potential 2-4 bagger this year if results from trials are successful.

Topped up this morning for 23.7, good company outlook and a number of buy recommendations whilst the price has gone sideways. Also sp at the bottom of the TA trend line and looks ready for an upward movement. Now sitting on even money as I held some before the R1549 drug was pulled, always considered the sp had fallen too much. Expect to see steady rise - let's see if patience pays off.

Well something appears to be brewing again, yesterday the sp dropped >5% temporarily but was followed by some decent buying and ended the day up followed by a good rise again today. Good news around the corner?

Good news today AND anything at 23.4p and above are actually BUYS showing as sells!!

andy
Are you still on these I think they are going to come good this year.

Still not on board but I have a good feeling about ASM.

LONDON (AFX) - British cancer drug developer Antisoma PLC has beefed up its management team with the appointment of Dr Gary Acton as chief medical officer.

Acton was most recently running an oncology orientated consultancy service, advising drugmakers on the progression and optimisation of their products.

Antisoma is heading into a crucial period with key data from its two most promising products due in the next few months. If all goes well, the company could have both compounds in final stage, phase III trials this year.

Dr Acton has also been managing director of Cell Therapeutics, where he oversaw the approval of cancer drug Trisenox, and spent five years as vice president of clinical development at British peer Vernalis PLC.

Antisoma shares closed at 21.25 pence Friday.

The Times June 05, 2006


Smaller stock to watch


Shares in Antisoma, the biotech firm, will be in the spotlight today after mixed news from the cancer specialist on an experimental lung cancer drug.
The company told the American Society of Clinical Oncologys annual meeting in Georgia yesterday that Phase-II trials had shown that the drug, known as AS1404, could delay disease progression, improve patient survival rates and improve the response rate of tumours when used in conjunction with standard chemotherapy.



However, Antisoma admitted that it would be entering Phase-III trials of the drug alone, after its partner Roche, the Swiss drug maker, decided not to proceed with AS1404s development. Glyn Edwards, Antisomas chief executive, played down the news, saying that he was delighted to have regained full rights to the drug and will endeavour to maximise shareholder value by advancing AS1404 ourselves while also considering the merits of any offers from new potential partners.

AS1404 is a small-molecule vascular disrupting agent. It is the first member of this class of drugs to report positive efficacy data from a controlled study.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are more than 1.2 million cases worldwide of lung and bronchial cancer each year, causing approximately 1.1 million deaths.

Bought back into these the other day after being out for a couple of years looking good for 2007
Was tipped in today's Telegraph see below.

Antisoma
Stock: 25.25p -1p
Questor says Buy

Given that it was founded in 1988, it is not obvious to the outsider that Antisoma is one of the UK's longest established biotechnology companies.

To the external eye, given that the company has no drugs in late-stage phase 3 trials and it has just enough cash in the bank to last for another year or so, its place in the biotech firmament might appear even more surprising.

Earlier this year, Antisoma's shares slumped after Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche handed back its earlier purchase rights to Antisoma's leading drug for lung cancer, known as AS1404, and another drug for breast cancer.

The stock market quickly took fright, prompting fears Antisoma would have to tap investors for more cash to continue with development.

But that was then, and this is most certainly now, and Antisoma is looking a lot less sickly. Its shares have picked up strongly in the past few months as investors have realised the data so far on AS1404 and its other drugs is promising.

Glyn Edwards, Antisoma's chief executive, has said he is talking to other companies about striking a partnering agreement to fund expensive phase 3 trials for AS1404.

Biotech chief executives often say such things, but Mr Edwards is well regarded in his industry and his indication that he is not doing the ground work for a new fund raising has been taken to mean he really is close to an important agreement to replace Roche.

Would-be investors must remember Antisoma is operating in the field of cancer, where there is huge demand for new drugs. If it cracks the market for lung cancer alone, Antisoma's future will certainly look a lot healthier than it does today.

Indeed analysts believe AS1404 could bring in sales of more than $1bn (537m), making it officially a "blockbuster" in modern pharmaceutical parlance.

Roche's withdrawal from its deal with Antisoma heaps all the risk on the British company striking a new deal, but this could be on better terms than the one it would have had with Roche in any case. A slow burner.

17 October 2006, London, UK - Cancer drug developer Antisoma plc
(LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) today announces that Chief Executive
Officer, Glyn Edwards, will be presenting at the BIO InvestorForum
2006 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, USA.

Mr Edwards's presentation is scheduled for 2pm PDT on Wednesday,
October 18. A webcast of the presentation will be available to all on
Antisoma's website at
http://www.antisoma.com/home.asp

Lifted from the other big board............

Antisoma write up in Investors Chronicle October 20th 2006

Antisoma is trying to get back on track after the shock decision by Roche to end its partnership. The world's leading cancer drug provider dropped breast cancer drug AS1402 (previously known as R1550) and decided not to option AS1404 for lung cancer in June. Chief executive Glyn Edwards believes Roche's decision regarding AS1404 was largely about preferring to back its own drug, Avastin. He is highly confident of delivering a licensing deal on AS1404 before the company's cash runs out next year, and reports plenty of licensing interest.

Analysts say the phase II data from trials of AS1404 in lung cancer suggests it could be more effective than Avastin in extending survival. Data released this week from studies in ovarian cancer is also positive. Nomura Code expects a loss per share of 4.05p for 2007 (loss of 4.55p in 2006).

IC View - The shares have recovered on licensing hopes. But, with cash running low and without a partner on board, they are also risky. That said, a deal could come soon and Antisoma could be an acquisition target. So, for those with the stomach for it, the shares look speculative good value. ENDS.

Ill be buying these in the morning. Looks like a win, win situation.

Annual report and accounts for the year ended 30 June 2006

http://www.antisoma.com/investor_relations/documents/AntisomaARA2006FINAL.pdf

goldfinger
Welcome aboard if you bought.

Antisoma to present at Rodman and Renshaw Healt...

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20061102130000H5817.html

UP 6% this is motoring since I bought back in. (31% since 17 Oct 2006 )

Driver, looks interesting :)

smiler
This share always has been interesting I held these years ago if they get a good deal any thing is possible with the sp.

JUST looking at the chart, Wish I got in August 14p !!

LONDON (AFX) - Cancer drug developer Antisoma PLC revealed further positive data from a phase II trial of its experimental tumour-fighting drug AS1404 in non-small cell lung cancer.

The company said in a final assessment of the data, patients who received AS1404, in addition to standard chemotherapy, were found to display a greater delay in tumour progression than previously reported.

Tumour response rates of 31 pct, compared to 22 pct for those who received chemotherapy alone, are unchanged from data revealed in June.

The data are being presented today at a meeting in Prague.

Antisoma announced last year that patients receiving AS1404 in addition to standard chemotherapy survived 5.2 months longer than those receiving chemotherapy alone, while the risk of death was reduced by 27 pct.

The company claims the result is one of the largest differences in survival ever reported from a trial combining a novel agent with first-line chemotherapy for lung cancer.

At 8.05 am shares in Antisoma were trading 1.25 pence higher at 33.5, valuing the company at 124 mln stg. The stock has more than doubled in the last three months.

Investors are waiting to hear the outcome of on-going licensing talks Antisoma is holding with potential partners for the drug, which are needed to help fund the remaining large late-stage trials.

A phase III trial is due to start next year in lung cancer. The company plans to develop the treatment as a direct competitor to Avastin, Roche AG and Genentech Inc's top-selling cancer drug, which received approval to be marketed as a treatment for lung cancer last month.

Like Avastin, AS1404 has also showed promise as a treatment for other cancers such as ovarian and prostate.

amy.brown@afxnews.com

AGM is today 17th November, 10:00 AM at Cameron McKenna, Aldersgate, should get some sort of statement or announcement.

London, UK: 24 November 2006 - Cancer drug developer Antisoma plc
(LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) today announces that its Chief Executive
Officer, Glyn Edwards, will be presenting at the Piper Jaffray 18th
Annual Health Care Conference in New York on Friday 1st December.

Mr Edwards's presentation will take place at 10.30am EST. A live
webcast of the presentation can be viewed on Antisoma's website and
available to all parties thereafter at

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20061124120200H0014.html

From another board courtesy of Mike111

I took the opportunity to make contact with ASM today, to clarify why GE had not presented at the Piper Jaffray conference on Friday and as I had suspected there was nothing sinister to this. It was a late change to his schedule which prevented him from being there and had he presented he would have gone through the same presentation delivered recently at the Rodman & Renshaw conference.

This did then allow me to address some other points which I have summarised below:

Since releasing the updated trial data on November 8th the company have witnessed sustained / increasing interest from potential licensees for AS1404
They are benefiting from the pipeline challenges faced by the major pharmas and in particular interest from those companies who have had recent issues with their own clinical trial programs
They continue to make excellent progress with negotiations for AS1404 and closure of a deal in 2006 does remain a very real possibility
Given that they have multiple options i.e. more than one interested partner, they remain committed to securing the best overall deal and will ensure that what is signed is in the best interests of all shareholders even if this takes a little longer
Comment was made that whilst ASM have always understood the value of AS1404, potential partners have now come to appreciate and accept this as well
In terms of recent trading in the stock, the company are aware that there has been increased institutional activity, as witnessed by the multitude of larger trades
At this time, they are not aware of any new notifiable interests being taken up
In particular, they have seen an increase in institutional interest from the specialist healthcare funds both in Europe and in the US. Apparently these fund managers have commented to ASM that they perceive the current share price to be low in relation to the value attaching to the companies assets i.e. primarily the value attaching to the trial data for AS1404

The bottom line is that ASM are now very close to closing the deal and at current levels this IMHO rates as a very strong buy no advice intended and DYOR.

London, UK, and Orlando, FL, 11 December 2006 - Antisoma today
announces that it is advancing AS1411 into a phase II

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20061211070000H2446.html

Very big volume today also in the Smallcap Index as of today.

Holding(s) in Company
http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20061212084800H2736.html

Antisoma raises 26.3 mln stg in placing
AFX

LONDON (AFX) - Antisoma PLC has raised 26.3 mln stg in a share placing, to fund continuing ongoing research into its portfolio of experimental cancer drugs.

The company said a placing of almost 74 mln new shares with new and existing shareholders, at 35.5 pence each, was oversubscribed.

The price is a slight discount to yesterday's closing share price of 39 pence.

amy.brown@afxnews.com

ab/slm

Nice bit of money raised, and oversubscribed all good news for ASM.

From the FT today:

Back in good health after Roche move upsets market
By Salamander Davoudi

Published: December 16 2006 02:00 | Last updated: December 16 2006 02:00

Shares in Antisoma, one of the oldest UK biotechnology companies, have had their ups and downs this year but during the past three months have skyrocketed more than 150 per cent. Roche, the Swiss pharmaceutical company, last June handed back its purchase rights to Antisoma's key lung cancer drug, AS1404, and the rights to a drug for breast cancer. The markets reacted badly fearing the company would have to raise more funding to continue drug development. But the shares have since recovered on the back of positive data from a Phase II trial of AS1404. Glyn Edwards, Antisoma chief executive, has boosted confidence by indicating he is near to completing an agreement to replace Roche in order to fund the Phase III trials for AS1404. Given the high demand for cancer drugs, the future of the company could be very rosy if the drug is successful. Analysts have forecast that peak sales of AS1404 could be as high as $1bn. The company yesterday raised 26.3m in a placing with European and US institutions. The news sent the shares down 3.8 per cent to 37p - a small irritant for investors who have seen the stock come good. Salamander Davoudi

Topped up today it looks like we have hopefully hit bottom.

Some very big trades today 250k and 800k

A lot of buying today 3m, ASM is looking very strong for the next leg up.

sp regaining strength long term chart looking good break out at about 41p could come soon.

Breaking out news iminent? may be on AS1404

Tuesday January 16, 07:49 AM
Antisoma "buy," target price raised
LONDON, January 16 (newratings.com) - Analyst Mark Clark of ING Financial Markets reiterates his "buy" rating on Antisoma Plc (ticker: ASM (Milan: ASM.MI - news)

The 12-month target price has been raised from 45p to 58p.


In a research note published this morning, the analyst mentions that Antisoma (LSE: ASM.L - news) 's recent equity placement has raised 26.3 million before expenses, which has improved the company's risk profile. The placement has lowered time pressures on Antisoma for entering into a partnership for the AS1404 drug, ING Financial Markets says. The upward revision in the target price also reflects a shift in the base year, the analyst adds.

Antisoma to present at the BIO CEO conference

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20070207120000H2999.html

A bit old but explains the sp rise.

From The Business Magazine...

SANOFI-AVENTIS and AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical giants, have opened talks with Antisoma, a British biotech firm, to license its revolutionary new cancer treatment.

Pfizer is also thought to be potentially interested in Antisomas product, which is being tested for use in the treatment of lung, prostate and ovarian cancer and could generate sales of $1.6bn (E1.23bn, 812m) a year.

The drug, currently known as AS1404, is in the third and final stages of clinical trials for lung cancer. Third stage trials for ovarian and prostate cancer will begin this year.

It works in combination with chemotherapy drugs by cutting off the blood supply to tumours, ensuring that they stop growing. This enables doctors to use lower doses of chemotherapy drugs such as carboplatin and Bristol-Myers Squibbs Taxol. The treatment has the advantage of leaving the area surrounding the tumour untouched, and will hopefully reduce the negative side effects of chemotherapy.

In the second phase of trials, patients being treated with AS1404 and chemotherapy drugs survived for over five months longer than those only using chemotherapy. Long term survival rates are not yet known.

Interest in the drug intensified after the announcement of positive data on the second stage of clinical trials. At one point the company was speaking to around 40 partners.

Glyn Edwards, Antisomas chief executive, confirmed that the company was in talks with a number of potential partners. He said: Until a deal is done, I cant name any names. AstraZeneca declined to comment. A Sanofi-Aventis spokesperson said: At this stage we cant comment.

The company is likely to receive an upfront deal of around $80m, a $200m plus sum on successful delivery of the drug to market, and between 20% and 25% of the drugs royalties.

A nice 339k buy today some things going down.

Webcast 12/02/2007 presentation. AS1404 With block buster prudential

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/VirtualPlayerFST.zhtml?c=133673&EventId=1466859&WebCastId=618261&StreamId=849066&id=&IndexId=&EID_TIK=&RGT=&RGS=1&CTID=

ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) announces its interim financial information for
the period ended 31 December 2006.

Highlights

AS1404
* Positive data from phase II trials
o Median survival extended by 5 months in lung cancer
o Positive initial findings in ovarian and prostate
cancers
* Preparations ongoing for phase III trial in lung cancer
* Good progress in talks with potential marketing partners

AS1411
* Progressing to phase II trials in renal cancer and acute
myeloid leukaemia (AML)
o Phase I trial shows promising activity in renal cancer
o Phase I trial provides further evidence for favourable
safety profile
o AS1411 demonstrates potency against cancer cells from
AML patients

AS1409

* Renal cancer and melanoma selected as initial indications for
phase I testing


Financial highlights

* 24.8 million net of expenses raised in oversubscribed placing
* Cash and liquid resources at 31 December 2006 of 33.6 million
(31 December 2005: 23.6 million, 30 June 2006: 14.9 million)
* Operating loss for the six months ended 31 December 2006 of 7.8
million (six months ended 31 December 2005: 9.6 million)

Dr Barry Price, Chairman of Antisoma, said: "Antisoma ended 2006 on a
high, having announced positive data from three phase II trials of
AS1404 and completed an oversubscribed placing. In 2007 we look
forward to further trial data, progression of four drugs to the next
phase of development and the conclusion of a major licensing deal for
AS1404."

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20070215070100H5255.html

50p reached break out time.

1.1m trade at 50p some things going down.

Antisoma says Phase II trial of prostate cancer drug shows 'promising' results

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20070223070000H7337.html

A new Intraday high, even at 50p these are still cheap.

A good RNS today from ASM on it's Phase II trial of its prostate cancer drug AS1404IT'S, that with the good progress in talks with potential marketing partners for AS1404 phase III makes ASM look very cheap at 50p could be a three or four bagger from here.

Shares Magazine February 22nd 2007

Antisoma can steer round the rocks in its path

During the period, the drug developer saw positive results from its phase II candidate AS1404, which is being developed for lung, ovarian and breast cancer.

Losses narrowed to 7.5 million and the company ended the half with 33.6 million cash in the bank but it still needs to find a licensing partner to help take the product through costly phase III trials.

However, with most major pharma keen to expand their oncology portfolios, it shouldnt have too much of a problem in securing a lucrative deal that should provide a boost for the share price when it comes.

The company also looks to be something of a takeover target, which should further support the shares.

Shares says: the company has a strong pipeline and shares should climb on positive news flow.

Investors Chroncile - 23 February 2007

ANTISOMA (ASM)

"Everything is going swimmingly," boasts Antisoma chief executive Glyn Edwards. Certainly, the outlook has improved dramatically since Roche decided not to option lung-cancer drug AS1404 last June. At the time, Mr Edwards insisted there would be considerable licensing interest from other parties, and he has been proved right. Antisoma says licensing discussions with several parties are heating up. The plan is to finalise a deal by the end of June this year.

And Phase II trial data has been impressive. Average survival of patients receiving the drug alongside chemotherapy was 14 months, compared with 8.8 months for those on chemotherapy only - one of the biggest increases in survival ever seen in a lung-cancer study. If data from trials in prostate cancer is also good, this could extend the potential market for the drug.

More good news

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20070308070000H0273.html

Legal & General Group, acquisition of Shares

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20070315121500H2145.html

Could break the 50p today.

Looks like it break the 50p today.

UK Cancer drug developer Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) announces that its Chief Executive Officer, Glyn Edwards, will present at the CIBC World Markets Annual Biotechnology & Specialty Pharmaceuticals Conference in New York on Wednesday 11 April.


http://www.veracast.com/cibcwm/biotech07/main/player.cfm?eventName=1141_antiso&appname=Microsoft Internet Explorer&os=Windows XP&wmversion=Yes - version 11.0.5721.5145&rmversion=Yes - version 6.0.12.1483

52p area is a historical resistance level - hit in Oct '01, Oct '03 and Apr '04.

Steve

London, UK, and Los Angeles, CA: 16 April 2007- Antisoma announces
that preclinical data supporting three of its drugs are presented
this week at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer
Research (AACR).

AS1404-Avastin-paclitaxel triple combination highly effective
Antisoma's scientists have for the first time evaluated a triple
combination of the Company's vascular disrupting agent, AS1404, the
anti-angiogenic Avastin and the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel. The
triple combination had powerful and synergistic (more than additive)
anti-tumour effects in a human lung cancer xenograft model. Moreover,
addition of Avastin and paclitaxel to AS1404 did not increase
toxicity.

These observations build on previous xenograft findings showing a
synergistic effect with an AS1404-paclitaxel combination. That effect
translated into a substantial survival benefit in a phase II trial in
non-small cell lung cancer. Preparations are being made for a pivotal
phase III trial combining AS1404 with chemotherapy in lung cancer.
The market opportunity in this setting is large, and would be further
extended if AS1404 also proved effective when added to an
Avastin-chemotherapy combination.

Synergistic effect of AS1404 combined with Erbitux
In a second combination study, AS1404 showed synergistic anti-tumour
effects with Erbitux in a lung cancer model. These findings, together
with the Avastin data, show that AS1404 has potential in combination
with newer, targeted therapies as well as longer established
treatments such as chemotherapies.

Broad potential of AS1411 alone and in combination
New data show that the aptamer drug AS1411 kills cells from a wide
variety of cancer cell lines. These include lines representing the
four most common cancers: lung, breast, prostate and colorectal; as
well as renal, gastric, pancreatic, melanoma, glioblastoma and
certain blood cancer lines. Doses lethal to cancer cells had no
effect on a fibroblast cell line representing normal, healthy tissue.

Separate experiments highlight the potential to combine AS1411 with
other treatments. When AS1411 was used together with paclitaxel or
cytarabine, synergistic killing was seen in a number of cancer cell
lines.

New light is shed on the anti-cancer action of AS1411. The drug
clearly induces apoptosis (programmed cell death). There are,
however, differences from the killing pattern seen with many
cytotoxic drugs, which generally achieve their maximum effect
rapidly. By contrast, AS1411 acts more slowly, continuing to cause
further cell death over a period of days.

AS1411 has completed phase I development, where it was shown to be
very well-tolerated and produced two objective responses in
late-stage renal cancer patients. Phase II trials in renal cancer and
acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) are now planned and the drug may
ultimately have potential against a variety of solid and blood
cancers.

Preclinical support for AS1409 trial plans
Antisoma recently announced that its forthcoming phase I trial of
AS1409, an antibody-cytokine fusion protein, would enrol patients
with renal cancer and melanoma. An AACR poster presents the data
which supported this choice, showing strong expression of the drug's
target in both of these cancer types.

Glyn Edwards, Antisoma's CEO, said: "Our AACR presentations
illustrate the strength and breadth of our pipeline and highlight a
number of ways to further expand the commercial opportunities for our
key products, AS1404 and AS1411."

Antisoma says successfully tests cancer drugs in combination with others

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=1903770

Blue
Posted at the same time, all still looking good 1 next target.

No problem driver,

I have read the AFX report but I know that in theory we are not allowed to paste it due to copyright infringement so I did the other one!!!!

Blue
I don't think there is a problem, it is on this site after all.

400k buy today is there news soon?

Certainly was Driver!

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20070419064500H9831.html

Steve

Good news as Steve said.

Antisoma to get 100 mln usd near-term in licensing deal with Novartis UPDATE
AFX

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Antisoma plc said it stands to receive near term payments of 100 mln usd under an exclusive global licensing agreement signed with Novartis AG for its vascular disrupting agent AS1404 (DMXAA).

Some 75 mln usd will be paid immediately and a further 25 mln when AS1404 enters a phase III trial in lung cancer.

Antisoma will be eligible for total upfront, development, regulatory and sales-related milestone payments of up to 890 mln usd, depending upon a number of factors including successful development and marketing of AS1404 in

multiple indications, launch of back-up products and achievement of sales milestones.

Antisoma will also benefit from Novartis part-funding its commercialisation costs if AS1404 gets to market. Under the deal with Novartis, if AS1404 is approved and commercialised, Antisoma will receive royalties on AS1404 sales and will have an option to co-commercialise AS1404 in the United States.

The group said the deal with Novartis is an important step along the way to making Antisoma a significant and self-sustaining bio-pharmaceutical company.

It said it plans an active programme of in-licensing and to examine opportunities to acquire other oncology companies.

Antisoma is also continuing to evaluate a potential US listing which it said would broaden the capital base supporting the company's development.

The board said it intends to continue to develop AS1411 independently and will also consider potential sales synergies when seeking new assets for the pipeline.

Antisoma said its board intends to discuss its plans with shareholders and resolutions supporting the plans will be put to an EGM.

They will include a renewal of the company's authority to issue new shares up to around a third of the issued number. The board is also minded to seek a renewal of its authority to issue shares for cash in a non-pre-emptive issue, it said. This would provide flexibility, for example to offer new shares as American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) should the board decide to list the company in the US.

Looking forwards, chairman Barry Price said the period ahead will be an exciting one.

'We have formed a great partnership with Novartis to develop and commercialise AS1404. Further important phase II data on AS1404 are expected this year. Other drugs in our pipeline, notably AS1411, are showing real promise. We are now very well equipped to acquire and develop new products and to continue to grow the business.'

Yep been waiting a long time for this ASM have pulled of a very good deal for them and us, the sp could double or treble from here over the next year or so.

There has been some very large buys today I can see this moving slowly up over the next few weeks as investors see the future potential of ASM, with more products in the pipe line.

Looks like 60p is acting as resistance, and I guess short-term holders have been taking profits too.

Steve

There was 3*1m buys today and a lot of over 100k's that's good enough for me this is a hold or accumulate.

More profit-taking today, or a closing of yesterday's gap up? I must admit, I thought this would have ticked up today. I guess the volume is comparatively low.
Anybody know if the Novartis news was in today's papers?

Steve

The Times -Buy
April 20, 2007
Antisoma

It has been a rough ride, at times, for shareholders in this biotechnology group. The share price quadrupled between autumn 2003 and spring 2004 as the market enjoyed promising news flow. In April 2004, however, the shares collapsed when it encountered setbacks in its research programme and the dissolution of a development deal with Roche.

Confidence began to be rebuilt with a successful cash call in late 2005 and news yesterday of a new link, this time with Novartis, has helped the stock recover lost ground.

The Novartis deal, including 50 million in upfront and near-term payments, secures Antisomas finances for the forseeable future and opens potential market opportunities in the US. Hopes are that Antisoma will be able to bring forward several compounds, designed to treat different cancers. As with many biotechs, the risks are high. But so are the rewards. Buy

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article1680463.ece

Independent

Antisoma soars on Novartis deal to develop cancer drug
By Karen Attwood
Published: 20 April 2007


Biotechnology company Antisoma closed a deal worth up to $890m (445m) with Swiss drug giant Novartis yesterday to develop its lead product, an anti cancer drug which is to enter final stage trials for lung cancer next year.

Shares initially jumped 19 per cent, before settled back to finish the day 10 per cent ahead at 57.75p, giving the company a market capitalisation of 257m.

Antisoma will receive $75m upfront and an additional $25m when its compound AS1404 enters into phase three trials in lung cancer at the beginning of next year. The drug is designed to be used alongside traditional chemotherapy, and clinical studies have shown it extends patient survival by five months.

The deal comes as welcome news for the company after Swiss firm Roche, which has a drug discovery alliance with Antisoma, dropped the compound last year, saying it had failed to live up to early expectations.

Future milestone payments are dependent on the successful development and marketing of the treatment for other types of cancer. The London-based company will also receive royalties on sales of the drug and will have an option to commercialise the drug in the US. Novartis will assume the management and all costs of the future development of AS1404.

Glyn Edwards, Antisoma's chief executive, said he was "very confident this would be a blockbuster product with the potential for strong sales". However, part of the attraction of the deal was that it would also provide extra resources for Antisoma to develop as a standalone company, he said. "We plan to use it as a springboard to further expand our pipeline and to exploit the value in our present portfolio."

Antisoma has six compounds in early stage development. Chief operating officer Dr Ursual Ney added: "We have a healthy pipeline but the deal with Novartis is allowing us to strengthen the pipeline and to buy more products for us to develop."

Samir Devani, analyst at Nomura Code, said that while expectations in the market were high the company has more than delivered. "The Novartis deal substantially strengthens Antisoma's cash position and the company has indicated that it will now look to in-license further oncology candidates and that this may include company acquisitions," he added.

Sam Fazeli, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, said he expects a series of value-driving news from Antisoma over the next year, including data from trials from other cancer drugs.

There have been a few profit takers since the deal but Im not tempted this could be a three bagger from just waiting patiently .

According to other followers of the group, todays deal will fund the development of AS1411, which could be a massive blockbuster and has already shown it is hugely effective in phase I trials, which are only supposed to monitor safety and dosing.

A nice recovery over the last couple of days now 56.25

London, UK: 2 May 2007 - Cancer drug developer Antisoma plc (LSE:
ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) today announces that it will convene an
Extraordinary General Meeting

http://www.antisoma.com/admin/data/datFiles/pdf/EGMNoM.pdf

From Therapeutics Daily:

Antisoma's $100M Novartis Deal Puts VDA Approach In Spotlight
BioWorld Financial Watch - May. 07, 2007

Though more than 10 years old, the concept of "disruptive technology" holds strong appeal, and in biotech vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) occupy a rising-star approach first discovered even longer ago.
Last month's licensing deal, which gives Antisoma plc $75 million up front from Novartis AG for rights to AS1404 and $25 million more when Phase II lung-cancer trials with the compound start early next year, brought fresh attention to the VDA space - and a renewed licking of chops by investors.
Antisoma's backers might have felt disillusioned less than a year ago, when longtime partner F. Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc. bowed out of its plan to usher AS1404 into Phase III trial, blaming "commercial reasons" for the move. (The composition-of-matter patent for AS1404 expires in 2011.) But Antisoma promised a juicy deal on the way, and Novartis stepped up.
The deal could provide as much as $890 million in milestone payments to Antisoma plus royalties, and Novartis will fund all future development as well as Phase II trials now under way.
Included in the milestone payments are approvals in four oncology indications. Novartis has shown its marketing muscle through Gleevec (imatinib), its compound for chronic myeloid leukemia. Also in the milestones package is an undisclosed non-oncology condition, most likely in ophthalmology, as Novartis outside the U.S. markets Lucentis (ranibizumab), Genentech Inc.'s therapy for age-related macular degeneration, and VDAs are being actively explored in that disease. Antisoma is retaining rights to co-commercialize the flavonoid AS1404.
Plans for the compound entail the Phase III study in front-line, squamous non-small cell lung cancer and supporting studies in lung and other cancers. The NSCLC bid goes after the sector of the market not covered by the label for the VEGF inhibitor Avastin (bevacizumab), from Genentech Inc.,cleared for NSCLC in the fall of last year. If AS1404's Phase II data merit, the compound will move into Phase III trials in prostate and ovarian tumors as well.
VDAs might be regarded as the (so far) quieter counterpart to headline-making anti-angiogenesis drugs. Whereas the latter block formation of tumor blood vessels, VDAs target vessels already established, collapsing the endothelial cells in place.
Kobi Sethna, president and CEO of the much earlier-stage VDA player Nereus Pharmaceuticals Inc. likened the scans of VDA-attacked tumors to "donut holes," and told BioWorld Financial Watch that cardiotoxicity hampered the first generation VDAs' ability to chew tumors from within. AstraZeneca plc, for example, discontinued work on its VDA known as ZD6126.
The picture has changed in recent years. AS1404's profile looks clean, as does the profile for NPI-2358, one of about 200 synthetic analogues made by Nereus from a marine fungal extract. A Phase I trial against solid tumors launched last summer.
Antisoma is doing well. Behind AS1404 is a novel aptamer dubbed AS1411, seized in the early 2005 buyout of Aptamera Inc. in an all-share deal that valued the privately held firm at 11.5 million (then US$21.5 million). Early data suggest activity in renal cancer and acute myeloid leukemia. Phase II trials are expected to start late this year and early next. UK-based Antisoma ended the second half of this year with about 33.6 million (US$67 million) in cash and equivalents, not counting the upfront payment from Novartis, with a loss for the period of 6.4 million.
Others with VDAs include Myriad Genetics Inc., which started the first Phase II trial with its compound called Azixa for brain cancer in March. Like Nereus' drug, Azixa seems to work as a cytotoxin as well. The first stage of the Azixa study will include about 16 patients.
MediciNova Inc. has the VDA known as MN-029 ready to start Phase II/III studies in ovarian and NSCLC by the end of this year. The compound came from Angiogene Pharmaceuticals Ltd., which holds a worldwide license. Abbott also has a VDA, the sulfonamide ABT-751, in Phase II trials for lung, colon, breast and kidney cancers, and Bionomics Ltd. is doing preclinical work with the VDA tagged BNC105.
A higher-profile VDA force to reckon with is Oxigene Inc., which has CA4P (combretastatin A4 phosphate). The drug proved its mettle last year in Phase II trials against thyroid cancer, with chemotherapy and without. In February, CA4P yielded positive top-line Phase II data against myopic AMD, too. Full results were due for unveiling at the Association for Research In Vision and Ophthalmology meeting, which started over the weekend.
Oxigene is finalizing a Phase III study with CA4P in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), with first dosing expected in the second quarter of this year. The firm is expected to test CA4P when combined with chemo agents, as compared to chemo alone, in 100 to 200 patients. After Avastin's clearance in NSCLC, Oxigene backed away from that indication as the first Phase III trial, and went with ATC instead.
Amgen Inc. is working in thyroid cancer, too - and during the conference call on first quarter earnings last month, officials said they had decided not to file for approval of AMG-706 for thyroid cancer after Phase II trial with the compound in about 180 patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease who are not candidates for radioactive iodine or local therapies.
ATC patients were left out of the Amgen study (expected to report data at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in June) but some Oxigene/CA4P watchers might have taken pause when Amgen decided to wait on a filing for its drug, until the FDA offers more guidance about the regulatory path. Amgen's trial, though, was an open-label, single-arm study; Oxigene already is talking with the FDA about a randomized, controlled study.
Data from a Phase Ib trial with CA4P plus Avastin should become public in the third quarter of this year, though, and positive results would spur a Phase II study testing a quadruplet combination regimen against non-squamous NSCLC in the second half. CA4P's Phase II ovarian cancer trial is still enrolling patients. Sanofi-Aventis Group also has a combretastatin derivative, AVE8062, but it's lagging behind the Oxigene compound in Phase I trials.
While Novartis' interest in AS1404 could bring pharma sniffing around CA4P (which works by a different mechanism of action), Antisoma boasts the benefit of efficacy data from several randomized, controlled Phase II trials. Oxigene lacks randomized results with its compound, and likely will need more results before signing a partner. Either way, the Antisoma deal has drawn eyes to the space, which is likely to mature even more in the months ahead.

Antisoma to present at Rodman and Renshaw Healthcare Conference on May 14

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20070510090000H5719.html

Latest Web Cast is available on the ASM Web Site.

http://www.antisoma.com/home.asp


http://www.wsw.com/webcast/rrshq11/aioaf/

For 2007

H1

AS1404 Partnering deal- Novartis
AS1404 Data from 1800mg/m2 dose extension in lung cancer
AS1404 Update on phase 11 study in prostate cancer

H2

AS1404 Survival and TTP data from ovarian cancer phace 11 study
AS1404 Survival and TTP data from prostate cancer phace 11 study
AS1411 Start of phace 11 study in renal cancer
AS1411 Start of phace 11 study in AML
AS1402 Start of phace 11 study in Breast cancer
AS1409 Entry to clinical trials in renal cancer and melanoma

Resolutions passed
All resolutions at today's EGM were passed (details below). The
Directors now have additional flexibility to pursue new opportunities
to grow and develop the business.

If the Company makes a non-pre-emptive offer of shares for cash
pursuant to the authority granted at today's EGM to disapply
pre-emption rights, then shareholders who have disclosed to the
Company a beneficial interest of 3% or more will be given a
reasonable opportunity to participate, on the agreed terms, to a
level at least proportionate to their shareholding at the time of the
offering.

There are no current plans either to issue new shares for cash or as
consideration for an acquisition.

Important AS1404 data ahead
We can now refine our guidance on the expected timing of further data
from our programme of phase II trials with AS1404, the vascular
disrupting agent that we recently partnered with Novartis AG.

* Additional data on PSA response in the phase II prostate cancer
study will be presented at ASCO in Chicago on 3 June (poster
#5115 by Roberto Pili & Mark Rosenthal, 2pm-6pm, Genitourinary
Cancer session)

* Between ASCO and the end of October we expect headline data on
time to tumour progression and 1-year survival from our phase II
studies in ovarian and prostate cancers and from our confirmatory
phase II study in lung cancer. Further details from these studies
will be presented at conferences in Q3 and Q4

* In late 2007 and/or 2008 we expect additional, longer-term
survival data from the ovarian and prostate cancer phase II
studies

Following the licensing of AS1404 to Novartis, the drug has now been
redesignated ASA404.

Positive outlook for Antisoma
We now have a strong partner for ASA404/AS1404. The drug has
demonstrated a five month survival advantage in a phase II lung
cancer trial. Novartis will start enrolling patients into a phase III
trial in lung cancer early next year. Before then, we expect
additional phase II data in ovarian and prostate cancers, which could
add significantly to the drug's value. We will also soon be
recruiting the first patients into a thorough programme of randomised
trials on AS1411, building on highly promising early clinical and
laboratory data. Developments in these and our other programmes will
ensure a continuing run of new data from Antisoma through next year
and beyond.

Looking better now after the resent drop.

Antisoma says Novartis to start enrolling patients for Phase III cancer trial
AFX

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Antisoma PLC said Swiss pharma giant Novartis AG will start enrolling patients early next year for a phase III lung cancer trial using its experimental drug AS1404, after the agent showed a five-month survival advantage in patients.

Antisoma recently sold the rights to AS1404 to Novartis.

The company said it also expects additional phase II studies on ovarian and prostate cancer to add significant value to the drug by late 2007 or 2008.

The company said its AS1401 drug has now been redesignated ASA404.

TFN.newsdesk@thomson.com

ssr/faj/jlc

/

Antisoma to present at Needham & Company Si...

8 June 2007,
London, UK - Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) today
announces that its Chief Executive Officer, Glyn Edwards, will be
presenting at the Needham & Company Sixth Annual Biotechnology and
Medical Technology Conference in New York, USA.

Mr Edwards's presentation is scheduled for 11am EST on Wednesday,
June 13, followed by a 30 minute breakout session. A webcast of the
presentation will be available to all on Antisoma's website

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20070608120000H1814.html

15 June 2007, London, UK

Cancer drug developer Antisoma plc (LSE:
ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) today announces that Glyn Edwards, its Chief
Executive Officer, will present at Piper Jaffray's Second Annual
London Health Care Conference.

Mr Edwards's presentation is scheduled for 2pm BST (9am EST) on
Thursday 21 June, followed by a 40 minute breakout session. A webcast
of the presentation will be available to all on Antisoma's website

Cheers from Mike111D on the other side.

If you have not already done so, you may want to listen to the web cast of Glyn Edwards presenting today at the Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference, in London:

http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/conflobby.zhtml?ticker=ATSMY.PK&item_id=1573805

Everything remains very much on track further to the plans articulated as a result of the company transforming deal recently announced with Novartis.

I will leave you to listen to the web cast but thought that I would just share a few things with you, some of which will not be that evident to you unless you have been following matters closely:

Aside from the conference today, a number of one on one presentations with institutional investors were undertaken and the feedback from which continues to be positive, based both upon the strength of the Novartis deal and the overall prospects for other aspects of the pipeline; for which the required funds are now firmly in place
There are no known issues of larger shareholders selling etc despite the recent pullback in the price. Given the move in the price from 15p last year, an element of profit taking was to be expected
What has been observed is that there continues to be an increase in holdings within the specialist healthcare funds both in Europe (outside of the UK) and specifically in the US. Due to the way in which these shares are being held i.e. frequently in nominee accounts and due to the UK disclosure requirements not applying, it is difficult for this to be quantified and reported on in the normal way
With circa 80m of cash available, there are certainly no plans to raise further funds and nor at this time to move ahead with the NASDAQ listing. This will be considered at a later stage should funds be sought to progress in-licensing or acquisitions
As per the presentation today, further ASA404 1 year survival data for Ovarian and Prostrate cancer will be released by October 2007
A key point to note but not communicated via RNS to date, is that on the strength of the phase II data that they have seen so far, Novartis are already now prepared to move ahead with ASA404 in Prostrate cancer prior to seeing the data in October. With prostrate cancer being a key indication with blockbuster potential ($1bn plus annualised revenues)
Novartis have already started with patient recruitment for the phase III ASA404 trials which will commence early in 2008
With AS1411, the same randomised trial model will be applied as it was with AS1404. This model is expected to de-risk the project at an earlier stage and consequently add more value at a later stage when compared with the less robust uncontrolled studies often undertaken by other companies
Despite the fact that ASM would in all likelihood have little difficulty in out licensing AS1411, they still have no intention of doing so but instead plan on leveraging the sales and marketing infrastructure that Novartis will be establishing and paying for on their behalf in the US
Trials in AML for AS1411 will be commencing shortly (over the summer) with data being reported in 2008. Trials for Renal cancer will follow on with data expected in 2009
As per the presentation today, reporting through the balance of 2007 will be focussed on ASA404
Finally, dont forget that of the $890m deal agreed with Novartis, $355m is being released in relation to development milestones, so the data being reported is key in more ways than one. Understandably, the actual milestones and associated payments remain commercially confidential and not even key industry analysts have been able to determine these and I have heard some of them try in vain to do so

So IMHO, investing in ASM remains a very sound bet, given the scale and fully funded nature of the deal with Novartis for ASA404 and the strategic significance of how this will allow ASM to press ahead with what for me is a very exciting prospect in AS1411.

25 June 2007, London, UK - Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY)
announces that its Director of Communications, Dr Daniel Elger, will
be presenting at the Jeffries Healthcare Conference in New York, USA,
on Wednesday June 27th.

Dr Elger's presentation is scheduled for 16:10 EDT (21:10 BST). A
webcast of the presentation will be available to all on Antisoma's
website

"LONDON, July 3 (newratings.com) - Analyst Mark Clark of ING Financial Markets upgrades Antisoma Plc (ticker: ASM-GBX) from "hold" to "buy." The 12-month target price is set to 65p.

In a research note published this morning, the analyst mentions that the companys share price has declined sharply following the news of Novartis licensing deal worth $890 million for the lead oncology drug ASA404. Within the forthcoming four months, key data would be available for ASA404 in prostate and ovarian cancer, the analyst says."

April 20th they had the same target price of 65p when they downgraded to hold. So comparing the price then and the price now with no other change in status an upgrade to buy seems sensible.

Antisoma says ASA404 fails to get positive results in ovarian cancer trial
AFX


LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Antisoma PLC said its phase II trial of ASA404 has not produced positive results, and that ASA404 development in ovarian cancer will not be a priority.

The cancer drug developer however said it is pleased with the progress made by Novartis to date with ASA404 in lung cancer. Antisoma licensed ASA404 to Novartis in April 2007.

Novartis intends to start enrolling patients into a phase III trial in non-small cell lung cancer early in 2008 and to explore the potential benefits of the compound in various other solid tumours, Antisoma said.
TFN.newsdesk@thomson.com

News a bit disappointing but still a long-term hold, topped up on the dip.

From the Times today........The sell-off in Antisoma has been overdone according to ING, which is keeping a "buy" rating on the drug development company despite cutting its price target from 65p to 63p. Antisoma shares rose 1 1/2p, nearly 5 per cent, to 38 3/4p.

From the Independent today.....Shares in Antisoma tumbled this week after the company said its experimental cancer drug had failed in a mid-stage clinical trial for ovarian cancer. The failure of the drug in one of three major trials is no surprise. Treatments which work well against one kind of cancer often have no affect against another. We believe markets overreacted. Hold for now.

A bit of good news

Antisoma says phase II lung cancer drug trial reports positive results

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=2194342

From the other side.

Piper Jaffrey now has a 83.1p price target........with the Lung Cancer drug alone worth 45/50p!!!!


LONDON (Dow Jones)--Shares in U.K.-based Antisoma PLC (ASM) jumped Wednesday after an experimental cancer drug that it is developing with Novartis AG (NVS) of Switzerland produced good final Phase II results in patients suffering from non-small-cell lung cancer.

Dr. Ursula Ney, Antisoma's chief operating officer, said: "These positive results strongly support our earlier trial findings, which showed that adding ASA404 to chemotherapy improves survival in patients with lung cancer."

Nomura Code analyst Samir Devani said: "It's good news for Antisoma. It's their lead product and a key value driver and gives confidence in the magnitude of benefits at a high dose." Devani has a buy rating on Antisoma, with fair value at 50-52 pence a share.

At 1325 GMT, Antisoma shares were up 21% at 34.5 pence in a higher London market. But Antisoma shares at that level are nonetheless down 19% year-to-date.

Wednesday's good trial results by ASA404 contrasts with the experimental drug's failure, announced July 12, in a mid-stage clinical trial for ovarian cancer - news that sent shares in the British cancer specialist sharply lower.

However, Antisoma is in line to receive a $25 million milestone payment from Novartis when it begins recruiting patients for ASA404's Phase III trials in early 2008.

Daniel Elger, Antisoma's director of communications, told Dow Jones Newswires that the U.K. biotech company will receive the cash as part of its $780 million deal with the Swiss pharmaceuticals giant.

Novartis bought the rights to ASA404 in April and is now gearing up to begin late-stage testing of the experimental drug in lung cancer patients following Wednesday's second set of positive Phase II results. It has already received the first installments of an upfront payment of $75 million.

He added that Novartis is also preparing to initiate Phase III trials of ASA404 in the treatment of prostate cancer - provided the drug produces positive results in its Phase II trial - which is expected to be completed in late October.

" Novartis have said they are very keen to get going," Elger said. "Lung cancer is the lead indication for this drug, but they will also be looking to do other trials. We have had initial positive data on prostate cancer, but we await the final survival data.

"If that is positive, Novartis' plan is to do a Phase III trial in prostate cancer in parallel with lung cancer," he said.

Elger said lung cancer is the single most common cancer in the U.S. and Europe and the potential market opportunity for ASA404 is extremely large. "You are certainly into the blockbuster range in terms of sales that could be achieved," he said.

Phase II trial results for ASA404 released Wednesday show it corroborates data from an earlier Phase II trial, which demonstrated an increase in survival rates of non-small-cell lung cancer patients to 14 months when used with chemotherapy, compared with 8.8 months for those receiving chemotherapy alone, Antisoma said.

Collins Stewart analyst Navid Malik said that although Wednesday's results were good news for the company, he is keen to see how ASA404 performs in Phase III trials.

"The data is encouraging but the gold standard test is Phase III. They need to crack on with Phase III and then we will get the definitive view of what this drug can really do with lung cancer," he said.

Piper Jaffray analyst Sam Fazelli said in a note that he hopes data from ASA404's prostate cancer trial will further support his view that the drug has blockbuster potential. He reiterated his outperform rating on the stock and set a price target 83.1 pence.

"Our valuation suggests the lung cancer indication alone is worth around 45 pence to 50 pence per share," he said.

Elger told Dow Jones Newswires that Antisoma has no plans to license its other products and will instead seek to bring them to market itself.

The company's pipeline includes ASA1411, a biologic, starting Phase II trials for both leukemia and renal cancer; ASA1402, an antibody starting phase II for breast cancer; and ASA1409, still in preclinical development.

"The deal with Novartis only applies to ASA404. We will not be looking for similar deals with the other drugs because one of the strategically important dimensions with the Novartis deal is that we have an option to co-commercialize the drug with Novartis in the U.S.," Elger said.

Elger said Novartis will provide operational and financial support for Antisoma to set up an Antisoma-branded sales force to sell ASA404 alongside them.

"But that sales force will be free to sell any other Antisoma products that we bring through," he added. "So rather than partnering with the other drugs, it's our intention to take them forward through development ourselves. Ultimately, you can earn a bigger share of the drug's value by retaining rights and selling it yourself."

UK: 5 September 2007

Cancer drug developer Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM, US OTC: ATSMY) announces that
positive survival data from a recently completed trial of ASA404 are
presented today at the World Conference on Lung Cancer in Seoul,
South Korea.
This single-arm phase II trial evaluated an 1800 mg/m2 dose of ASA404
in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy in
patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Key findings were as
follows:

* Median survival was 14.9 months
* Median time to tumour progression was 5.5 months
* Tumour response rate was 37.9%
* Addition of ASA404 to chemotherapy was well tolerated
* Safety findings were similar in patients with squamous and
non-squamous lung cancer

These data support the findings from an earlier, randomised phase II
trial in which the addition of ASA404 to chemotherapy produced one of
the largest increases in median survival ever reported in advanced
lung cancer. In that trial, patients who received a 1200 mg/m2 dose
of ASA404 combined with chemotherapy had a median survival of 14.0
months whereas patients who received chemotherapy alone had a median
survival of 8.8 months.

In the earlier trial, tumour response rates were 31.2% with 1200
mg/m2 ASA404 plus chemotherapy and 22.2% with chemotherapy alone.
Time to tumour progression was 5.4 months with ASA404 and 4.4 months
with chemotherapy alone.

Dr Mark McKeage of the University of Auckland, New Zealand, an
investigator in both ASA404 lung cancer trials and the presenter of
the new data in Korea, said: "This is a second set of positive data
on ASA404 in lung cancer. It's particularly encouraging to see more
evidence that patients receiving ASA404 on top of chemotherapy may
live longer than we would expect with chemotherapy alone."

Glyn Edwards, Antisoma's Chief Executive Officer, said: "These data
add considerably to the strength of the evidence supporting ASA404 in
its lead indication and give us extra confidence as the drug proceeds
into phase III testing."

Antisoma's partner, Novartis, plans to start enrollment of patients
into a phase III trial in non-small cell lung cancer in early 2008.

The poster presentation containing the ASA404 data presented at the
World Conference on Lung Cancer is available on Antisoma's website at

www.antisoma.com

Preliminary results 12/9/07

Highlights of 2006/2007

Major licensing deal with Novartis for ASA404 (formerly AS1404)

* Total potential milestones of USD $890 million
* Near-term payments of USD $100 million ($75 million received to
date)
* Option to co-commercialise product in US
* Phase III lung cancer trial expected to begin enrolment in early
2008


Positive clinical trial data for ASA404

* Five-month survival gain in randomised lung cancer trial
* Supportive data from second lung cancer trial
* Positive PSA response findings in prostate cancer


Positive data and progress on AS1411

* Cases of tumour shrinkage in renal cancer patients
* Lack of serious side-effects in phase I trial
* Randomised phase II trial started in acute myeloid leukaemia
(August 2007)


Financial summary

* Upfront payment of 38.2 million (USD $75 million) received from
Novartis
* 26.3 million raised in oversubscribed fundraising
* Cash and liquid resources of 61.4 million at 30 June 2007 (2006:
14.9 million)
* Full-year net loss of 9.8 million (2006: 16.9 million)


http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20070912070000H2943.html

Antisoma says cancer drug pipeline studies on track
AFX


LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Antisoma PLC said studies of its cancer drug pipeline are on track, and it expects to achieve further important milestones during 2008.

The phase III trial of ASA404 in non-small cell lung cancer will be extended to include a broader range of patients, it said.

It added that AS1402 is on track to enter a phase II trial for breast cancer next year.

Its phase II trial of AS1411 in acute myeloid leukaemia is on track to report initial data in the first half of next year, the company said.

The company also said it expects to meet its objective of initiating its phase I trial of AS1409 before the end of 2007.

TFN.newsdesk@thomson.com

ASH presentation supports Antisoma's AS1411 phase II trial in AML

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20071210070100H4559.html

Had a small dabble with ASM again, interesting 2008 ahead.
3 brokers rate as a strong buy.

Looking good.

RPT Antisoma H1 pretax profit 4.1 mln stg vs 7.5 mln loss UPDATE
AFX


(Repeating to amend currency in Novartis deal from stg to usd)

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Cancer specialist Antisoma PLC, which today unveiled a swing to profits at the half-way stage, said it has the means to invest in its pipeline and sees 2008 as a 'significant' year with cash resources at the end of December of 50.4 mln stg, up from 33.6 mln a year earlier.

The funds come from a 75 mln usd payment from Novartis from a global licensing deal for its vascular disrupting agent ASA404 which Antisoma is booking as revenue on a time-apportioned basis between April 2007 and June 2008, with 25 mln usd still to come.

In the first half, the UK-based company booked a pretax profit of 4.1 mln stg against a loss of 7.5 mln stg last time, on revenues of 16.5 mln stg vs 0.3 mln last time.

In a separate announcement, the company, which specialises in buying in early stage drug candidates and progressing them into clinical development to commercialise or partner with a major company, also reported that it had entered a Phase I trial of AS1409 in renal cancer and melanoma.

AS1409 becomes the fourth drug that the company has entered into clinical trials, on top of ASA404, which is partnered with Novartis and set to enter late-stage trials for lung cancer, the leukaemia drug AS1411, which is in mid-stage trials, and the breast cancer drug AS1402 which is set to enter mid-stage trials later this year.

Chairman Barry Price said in the earnings statement this morning: '2008 promises to be a significant year for Antisoma, with ASA404 progressing to phase III and other drugs advancing through development.

'With a strong balance sheet, we are well placed to invest in and add value to our current pipeline and to add further promising drugs to our portfolio when opportunities arise.'

Up 13% this should now head back to 50p+

Still on the up 21.4% at midday.

was too cheap at 24p before christmas, too much going on and possible take-over target

with Dow weak this evening (at the mo) it is likely that ASM will be on offer cheaper tomorrow

ING has reviewed the European Biotechs which includes a buy recommendation on Antisoma (LSE: ASM.L - news) (62p price target) and says hold Vernalis (11p price target)

Initiation triggers USD 25 million milestone payment from Novartis

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20080411063000H8407.html

Antisoma unveils pre-clinical data supporting AS1411
AFX


LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK smallcap cancer drug developer Antisoma Plc. unveiled pre-clinical data of its anti-nucleolin aptamer drug AS1411.

At a presentation to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the company said AS1411 killed cells of blood cancer cell lines, including leukaemias, lymphomas and a myeloma, of which three were Burkitt's lymphoma lines.

Also, the AS1411-doxorubicin combination produced synergistic killing of the lymphoma cells.

Research director Dr Fiona McLaughlin said: 'These new data provide further support for our AS1411-cytarabine combination trial in AML, and also illustrate the broader potential of AS1411 against a range of haematological malignancies.'

TFN.newsdesk@thomson.com

London, UK, and Boston, MA: 16 May 2008 Cancer-focused biotechnology
company Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM; US OTC: ATSMY) today announces that
it has entered into an agreement to acquire private US oncology
company Xanthus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in an all-share deal valued at
GBP 26.8 million (USD 52.2 million). Simultaneously, Antisoma has
executed a fundraising that will provide an additional GBP 20.9
million before expenses to the Enlarged Group.

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20080516080900H0000.html

Antisoma now gaining critical mass in its field, looking very good for the future now.

what on earth happened today??

Dread to think! Luckily don't hold currently but this has been a promising-looking company. AZM looked as though it might follow at one point, but then regained its composure somewhat

Been holding since before Christmas and will continue to hold, so much going with ASM, it seems to move around from 22p-28p at moment but no apparent reason for fall today, very strange.

Particularly strange in view of today's news:

"London, UK, 29 May 2008 - Antisoma (LSE:ASM; USOTC:ATSMY) announces
that it has received a milestone payment of USD 25 million from
Novartis. This was triggered by the recent initiation of a phase III
trial of ASA404 in non-small cell lung cancer."

I thought I was the only one here more the merrier.

London, UK, 30 May 2008 - Antisoma (LSE:ASM; USOTC:ATSMY) announces
today details of two presentations on ASA404 that will be made at the
upcoming 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical
Oncology (ASCO):

Abstract no. 8072 (poster) Comparison of safety and efficacy between
squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients
in phase II studies of DMXAA (ASA404); M. J. McKeage, M. B. Jameson,
AS1404-201 Study Group Investigators; on Sunday 1 June, 2-6pm - Board
45c, in S Hall A1.

Abstract no. 5007 (oral presentation) Addition of DMXAA (ASA404) to
docetaxel in patients with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate
cancer (HRMPC): update from a randomized, phase II study; R. Pili, M.
Rosenthal, AS1404-203 study group investigators; on Monday 2 June,
11.30-11.45am in Clinical Science Symposium on 'Novel antiangiogenic
mechanisms' in Room W375a.

Investor`s Chronicle - 2 June 2008

Antisoma announced that it has further data supporting its lung cancer treatment in an indication that represents just under half of sufferers, giving it a big competitive edge over the existing lung cancer treatment, Genentech's Avastin.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and the second most common in women, and is responsible for about 1.3 million deaths annually. Antisoma is developing a lung cancer vaccine alongside partner Novartis that treats both squamous and non-squamous indications. In contrast, Genentech's Avastin only treats less severe non-squamous sufferers, who represent just over half of all sufferers.

Antisoma's shares rose just over 6 per cent to 23p in response to the positive
news, but it has been a bumpy ride; its shares have more than halved in the past 12 months.

In a rare move in the depressed UK biotech sector, two weeks ago Antisoma announced the 27m share based acquisition of US late stage vaccine developer Xanthus. KBC Peel Hunt analyst, Paul Cuddon, said that the transaction was "very positive" for Antisoma because of the strength of Xanthus' portfolio, with one drug at the marketing approval stage by the US Food and Drug Administration. He increased his valuation from 40p to 46p.


SHARE TIP UPDATE :

We advised buying Antisoma shares at 27p (11 April 2008). Antisoma still has high cash holdings, and with the result of its leukaemia treatment (AS1411) trial also due this quarter, we maintain our buy recommendation.

Antisoma plc

Directors' Share Dealing

9 June 2008, London, UK: Antisoma plc ("Antisoma" or the "Company")
(LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY), the cancer drug developer, announces that
both Dr Barry Price, Chairman and Glyn Edwards, CEO, have purchased
ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company as follows:


+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Director |Date of |Amount |Price |Total amount |% of Company |
| |transaction |of shares |(p) |of |held |
| | |purchased | |shares held |following the|
| | | | |in the |transaction |
| | | | |Company | |
| | | | |following | |
| | | | |the | |
| | | | |transaction | |
|----------+-------------+-----------+-------+-------------+-------------|
|Dr Barry |06.06.2008 |100,000 |22.25 |743,077 |0.17% |
|Price | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|----------+-------------+-----------+-------+-------------+-------------|
|Glyn |06.06.2008 |470,000 |21.25 |2,140,000 |0.48% |
|Edwards | | | | | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Have actually got back into this - looking good again.

Out of these and into SKP