Tekmira Provides Update On Licensed Product Candidate, Marqibo(R)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Nasdaq:TKMR) (TSX:TKM), a leading developer of RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics, disclosed that its licensing partner, Talon Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB:TLON), today announced Marqibo® (vinCRIStine sulfate LIPOSOME injection) received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in second or greater relapse or whose disease has progressed following two or more anti-leukemia therapies. This indication is based on overall response rate. Clinical benefit such as improvement in overall survival has not been verified. Marqibo is administered at a dose of 2.25 mg/m2 intravenously over 1 hour once every 7 days. Marqibo has different dosage recommendations than non-liposomal vincristine sulfate.

"We wish to congratulate Talon on reaching this significant milestone and receiving approval for Marqibo," said Dr. Mark J. Murray, Tekmira's President and CEO.

Marqibo is a liposomal formulation of the chemotherapy drug vincristine. Marqibo, along with two other liposomal chemotherapy products, Alocrest (liposomal formulation of the chemotherapy drug vinorelbine) and Brakiva (liposomal formulation of the chemotherapy drug topotecan), were licensed from Tekmira to Talon Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Hana Biosciences) in 2006. Talon is responsible for all future development of these products. Tekmira will receive US$1M milestone payment based on the FDA approval of Marqibo and will receive royalty payments based on Marqibo's commercial sales.

About Marqibo

Marqibo is a novel, sphingomyelin/cholesterol liposome-encapsulated, formulation of vincristine sulfate. Vincristine, a microtubule inhibitor, is FDA-approved for ALL and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) and is widely used in combination regimens for treatment for a variety of adult and pediatric hematologic and solid tumor malignancies. The Optisome™ nanoparticle encapsulation technology, utilized by Talon, has been shown to provide prolonged circulation of vincristine in the blood.

Marqibo has received orphan drug designation for the treatment of ALL from the FDA and from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Talon intends to submit a Marketing Authorization Application to the EMA in 2013.

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