New Data Show Rexahn's Supinoxin(TM) Decreases the Migration of Human Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells in a Metastatic Cancer Model

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE MKT: RNN), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing best-in-class therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, today announced that it presented preclinical data on Supinoxin™ (RX-5902) at the 2015 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. This presentation entitled, "Targeting localization and function of the RNA helicase DDX5/p68 with 1-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[(6-fluoro-2-methoxyquinoxalin-3-yl) aminocarbonyl] piperazine (RX-5902)" was co-authored by Frances Fuller-Pace Ph.D., Division of Cancer Research, University of Dundee, United Kingdom and Rexahn scientists.

In the present study, Supinoxin™ (RX-5902) was shown to dose-dependently decrease the migration of human triple negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) in a preclinical model of cancer cell metastasis.

Dr. Fuller-Pace commented, "RX-5902 was effective in blocking the migration of human triple negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231). This is very encouraging, suggesting its potential utility for the treatment of malignant tumors."

"We continue to be encouraged by the preclinical and clinical data seen with Supinoxin™. Phosphorylated p68 appears to be involved in cancer cell survival and growth as well as tumor metastasis, suggesting that Supinoxin™ may play a role in treating difficult cancers such as triple negative breast cancer where metastatic disease is a common occurrence and is one of the main factors that impact prognosis," commented Ely Benaim, M.D., Rexahn's Chief Medical Officer.

Supinoxin is currently in a Phase I dose-escalation clinical trial in cancer patients with solid tumors with clinical data expected in the first half of 2015.

About Supinoxin™ (RX-5902)

Supinoxin™ (RX-5902) is an orally administered, potential first-in-class, small molecule inhibitor of phosphorylated-p68 (P-p68). P-p68, which is selectively overexpressed in cancer cells and is absent in normal tissue, increases the activity of multiple cancer related genes including cyclin D1, c-jun and c-myc, and plays a role in tumor progression and metastasis. Over-expression of phosphorylated-p68 has been observed in solid tumors, such as melanoma, colon, ovarian and lung tumors. In preclinical studies, Supinoxin has been shown to inhibit proliferation of cells in 18 human cancer cell lines including breast, colon, pancreas, ovarian, and stomach cancers, and showed potent activity in drug-resistant cancer cells. In preclinical animal model, where human cancer cells from melanoma, pancreas, renal or ovarian tumors were grafted into animals, treatment with Supinoxin resulted in a significant reduction in tumor growth.

Supinoxin is undergoing a Phase I dose-escalation clinical trial in cancer patients with solid tumors designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, dose-limiting toxicities and maximal tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary endpoints include pharmacokinetic analysis and evaluating the preliminary anti-tumor effects of Supinoxin. This trial is being conducted at 3 clinical oncology centers in the United States. Each patient has the ability to continue on the drug up to six cycles of treatment (a dosing cycle is defined as 3 weeks of drug treatment followed by 1 week off) if no disease progression is seen. Patients are assessed by CT or MRI prior to the start of therapy and after every two cycles of therapy to assess tumor progression. The decision to escalate dose is made after completion of one cycle of treatment based on safety and tolerability. Patients have the possibility to receive up to 6 cycles of treatment if the disease does not progress. Tumor biopsy samples are taken to assess the biomarker phosphorylated-p68. Patients in seven dose groups (25, 50, 100, 150, 225, 300 and 425 mg) have been enrolled, and the MTD has not yet been reached. In preliminary pharmacokinetic data, Supinoxin has approximately 51% oral bioavailability. The ongoing Phase I clinical trial is expected to be completed in the first half of 2015 once the MTD has been achieved.

About Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Rexahn Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing best-in-class therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Rexahn currently has three clinical stage oncology candidates, Archexin®, RX-3117 and SupinoxinTM (RX-5902) and a robust pipeline of preclinical compounds to treat multiple types of cancer. Rexahn has also developed proprietary drug discovery platform technologies in the areas of Nano-Polymer-Drug Conjugate Systems (NPDCS), nano-medicines, 3D-GOLD, and TIMES. For more information, please visit www.rexahn.com.

Safe Harbor

To the extent any statements made in this press release deal with information that is not historical, these are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Rexahn's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to cash flow requirements, future operations and products, enrollments in clinical trials, the path of clinical trials and development activities, and other statements identified by words such as "will," "potential," "could," "can," "believe," "intends," "continue," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "may," other words of similar meaning or the use of future dates. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Uncertainties and risks may cause Rexahn's actual results to be materially different than those expressed in or implied by Rexahn's forward-looking statements. For Rexahn, particular uncertainties and risks include, among others, the difficulty of developing pharmaceutical products, obtaining regulatory and other approvals and achieving market acceptance; the success and design of clinical testing; and Rexahn's need for and ability to obtain additional financing. More detailed information on these and additional factors that could affect Rexahn's actual results are described in Rexahn's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release. Rexahn undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: The Trout Group LLC
         Chad Rubin
         (646) 378-2953
         [email protected]

Source: Rexahn Pharmaceuticals

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