BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals to Present at 8th Annual Biotech Showcase

NEW YORK, Jan. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative cancer therapies including a Phase III immuno-oncology compound, Plinabulin, today announced that Dr. Lan Huang, co-founder, Chairman, and CEO, will be presenting at Biotech Showcase 2016 being held January 11-13 in San Francisco, CA.

Dr. Huang is scheduled to present on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. PT. The presentation will take place at the Parc 55 Hotel, Davidson Room, Track E.

Dr. Huang commented, “We are excited to present at the 8^th Annual Biotech Showcase during one of the most active weeks each year for investors. We have made significant strides in the last year, including the initiation of our global Phase III trial of Plinabulin and docetaxel in NSCLC, which is supported by extended duration of response and significant reduction of neutropenia of Docetaxel in a 163 patient Phase II trial conducted in the U.S. and international countries. Additionally, we have obtained near-future initiation of Phase I/II trial of Plinabulin and Nivolumab in NSCLC which is supported by pre-clinical proof of concept studies. Most recently, we’ve entered into a collaboration with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to further strengthen our robust oncology pipeline.  We look forward to sharing these milestones with investors, potential partners and other members of the biotech industry.”

Biotech Showcase™ is an investor and networking conference dedicated towards providing an excellent opportunity to private and public biotechnology and life sciences companies to present to, and meet with, investors and pharmaceutical executives during the course of one of the industry's largest annual healthcare investor conferences. The event attracts industry leaders, innovators, company executives, investors, sector analysts and bankers. 

About Plinabulin

BeyondSpring’s lead therapeutic candidate, Plinabulin, has begun a Phase III study to treat non-small-cell lung carcinoma (“NSCLC”). This 550-patient clinical trial will be conducted in the United States, China, Australia and New Zealand.  Evaluation and enrollment of patients in the U.S. has commenced, with additional sites to be added.  The company recently announced that the China Food and Drug Administration (“CFDA”) has given a CTA (Clinical Trial Authorization) for the initiation of the China arm of the study.

Plinabulin has been evaluated in over 140 patients in the U.S. and select international locations.  It has demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity in addition to a favorable safety profile. Plinabulin works via multiple mechanisms of action to alter the tumor microenvironment such as: 1) acting as an immuno-oncology agent to induce dendritic cell maturation and generate an amplified immune response to the cancer; 2) activating the JNK pathway to induce tumor cell apoptosis; and 3) obliterating existing tumor vasculature via the destruction of tumor vascular endothelium by inhibiting tubulin polymerization. Plinabulin may be particularly effective against large tumors because of their more abundant tumor vasculature and greater tumor antigen. BeyondSpring is investigating additional clinical programs for Plinabulin in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and for other indications. 

About BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals

BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative cancer therapies. BeyondSpring is focused on the advancement and commercialization of Plinabulin, a novel, Phase III cancer therapeutic initially targeting non-small-cell lung cancer. 

Operationally, BeyondSpring utilizes a unique U.S.-China co-development platform to optimize clinical development speed while reducing costs. The Company has significant experience interacting with the FDA and CFDA. Thus, patient recruitment and clinical trials can be run simultaneously in both geographies, which offers the potential to substantially lower the cost of drug discovery/development and increase the speed of advancing novel therapies to clinical trials and, ultimately, to the market. 

The Company has additional next-generation immuno-oncology assets, as well as a technology platform for targeted drugs and at least 6 new development compounds per year through a recently established 5 year research collaboration with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. 

Led by an expert management team consisting of pharmaceutical industry veterans from the U.S. and China, the Company is well positioned to further advance lead product candidate, Plinabulin, and its other programs. For more information, visit www.beyondspringpharma.com. 

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