Biomira Inc. has acquired a three-year option on a worldwideexclusive license to a peptide antigen found on human breast,ovarian, colon and pancreatic cancer cells.

The Edmonton, Alberta, company (NASDAQ:BIOMF) said itobtained the option from Imperial Cancer Research Technology,the licensing arm of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund inLondon. If Biomira exercises the option, it will pay royalties onresulting products. No other terms were disclosed.

Biomira has tested the antigen in animal models and will beginPhase I human trials in Canada for breast cancer late this yearor early in 1993, said Dr. Alex McPherson, president and chiefexecutive.

Biomira's Active Specific Immunotherapy technology usessynthetic carbohydrate or peptide antigens combined with twoimmunostimulants. In animal models, the therapy has elicitedan antibody response and a lymphocytic response, saidMcPherson. Mice infused with cancer cells, pre-treated with aconventional chemotherapeutic and then given the drugs havehad a normal life expectancy, he said.

The company plans to file by the end of April for Canadianapproval to begin Phase II trials of its carbohydrate antigen forbreast and colon cancers, McPherson said.

Biomira shares closed at $14.88, up 50 cents, on Tuesday. --Karen Bernstein

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