Oxis International Expands Its State-Of-The-Art Trike Technology Portfolio

Announces Sponsored Research Agreement with University of Minnesota

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 3, 2017 / Oxis International Inc. OXIS announced today that it has executed a new sponsored research agreement with the University of Minnesota to expand the capabilities of its TriKE (OXS-3550) cancer technology for the treatment of liquid and solid tumors.

The new agreement calls for Oxis to fund research at the University to expand to new applications for the TriKE technology in the treatment of cancer. The technology empowers natural killer, or NK, cells to target and destroy cancer cells with minimal side effects.

Oxis and the University of Minnesota have previously reached a licensing agreement under which Oxis holds the worldwide rights to commercialize the TriKE therapy, once it receives regulatory approval.

The new agreement calls for researchers to identify further applications of the TriKE technology to be added to the planned Liquid Tumor FDA Phase 1 clinical trial and to prepare for an additional FDA Phase 1 trial for solid tumors in late fall.

In March, Oxis announced that it had entered into an agreement with the University of Minnesota to conduct a toxicity study, a required step before researchers can apply for a Phase 1 clinical trial for the TriKe technology with the Food and Drug Administration.

"Both our TriSpecific Killer Engager (TriKE) and Bispecific Killer Engager (BiKE) platforms are applicable to solid tumors (80% of the marketplace) and liquid tumors (20% of the market). In addition to our planned clinical development program, our strategy will include potentially out-licensing the technology to Pharma and other biotech companies for specific applications," said Oxis Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Anthony Cataldo.

The research covered in the new agreement will be conducted at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center. Drs. Dan Valera and Miller at the Center led the research that discovered both the TriKE and BiKE cancer therapies currently exclusively licensed to Oxis. The BiKE therapy, OXS-1550, is currently in an FDA Phase 2 clinical trial in lymphoma in Minnesota.

About Oxis Biotech, Inc.: Oxis Biotech is an immuno-oncology focused company developing innovative drugs focused on the treatment of cancer and other unmet medical needs. OXIS' lead drug candidate, OXS-1550 (DT2219ARL) is a novel bispecific scFv recombinant fusion protein-drug conjugate composed of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-CD19 and anti-CD22 antibodies and a modified form of diphtheria toxin as its cytotoxic drug payload. OXS-1550 targets cancer cells expressing the CD19 receptor or CD22 receptor or both receptors. When OXS-2175 binds to cancer cells, the cancer cells internalize the drug and are killed due to the action of drug's cytotoxic payload. OXS-1550 has demonstrated success in early human clinical trials in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma or leukemia. OXS-4235 is a small molecule therapeutic candidate targeting the treatment of multiple myeloma and associated osteolytic lesions. In in vitro and in vivo models of multiple myeloma and osteoporosis, OXS-4235 demonstrated the ability to kill multiple myeloma cells, and decrease osteolytic lesions in bone. OXIS' lead drug candidate, OXS-2175, is a small molecule therapeutic candidate targeting the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In in vitro and in vivo models of TNBC, OXS-2175 demonstrated the ability to inhibit metastasis.

Forward-Looking Statements: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently unreliable and actual results may differ materially. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the payment of dividends, marketing and distribution plans, development activities and anticipated operating results. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include such factors as the Company's ability to accomplish its business initiatives, significant fluctuations in marketing expenses and ability to achieve and expand significant levels of revenues, or recognize net income, from the sale of its products and services, as well as the introduction of competing products, or management's ability to attract and maintain qualified personnel necessary for the development and commercialization of its planned products, and other information that may be detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company website: www.oxis.com.

Media contact:

Stuart Pfeifer, Sitrick & Co.
(310) 788-2850, or spfeifer@sitrick.com

SOURCE: Oxis International Inc.