Telik's Aurora Kinase-VEGFR Dual Inhibitor Program Meets a Preclinical Development...( PALO ALTO Calif. Aug. 21 /- Telik...)

PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Telik, Inc. (Nasdaq: TELK) announced today that the lead compounds of its Aurora kinase and VEGFR dual inhibitor program met a significant development milestone. Aurora kinase is a critical signaling enzyme whose function is required for cancer cell division, while vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) plays a key role in tumor blood vessel formation, ensuring an adequate supply of nutrients to support tumor growth. Telik's lead compounds prevented tumor growth in preclinical models of human colon cancer and human leukemia by inhibiting both Aurora kinase and VEGFR. A development drug candidate is being selected, and assuming successful completion of preclinical studies, a Phase 1 clinical study may be initiated.

"Our computational TRAP(R) technology enabled us to combine and process information on the properties of single target molecules resulting in compounds with the desired dual target mechanism of action," said Steve Schow, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at Telik. "The ability to inhibit two targets may reduce the ability of cancer cells to evade the inhibition of one target alone and results in a better outcome."

The initial data demonstrating the activity of Telik's lead compounds was presented at the EORTC-AACR-NCI Meeting held in Belgium in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Telik, Inc. of Palo Alto, CA, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel small molecule drugs to treat serious diseases. The company's most advanced investigational drug candidates in clinical development are TELINTRA(R), a modified glutathione analog for the treatment of cytopenias due to myelodysplastic syndrome or chemothera
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