Onyx Pharmaceuticals and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Announce Strategic Alliance in Multiple Myeloma and Lymphoma

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and HOUSTON, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONXX) and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today announced a non-exclusive research alliance for pre-clinical and clinical research to continue to understand the role that novel experimental therapies, including Onyx's carfilzomib and oprozomib, can play in the potential treatment of multiple myeloma and lymphoma. The term of the agreement extends for two years. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed. 

"MD Anderson Cancer Center is a recognized world leader in the development of new therapies for the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies," said Christopher J. Kirk, Ph.D., Vice President, Research at Onyx Pharmaceuticals. "This agreement underscores the importance of academic and industry alliances as one of the most important types of public-private collaborations. Onyx is committed to exploring ways in which these types of alliances can advance the development of potential lifesaving drugs and new treatments for patients."

"MD Anderson and Onyx have a shared vision of developing innovative therapies for improving the lives of people with cancer," said Dr. Robert Orlowski, Professor, Lymphoma/Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "This alliance is designed to accelerate the discovery and translation of new knowledge about cancer from the laboratory, to the clinic, and, ultimately, to the patients." 

The purpose of the research alliance is to further contribute to the biological understanding and clinical profile of carfilzomib and oprozomib in myeloma and lymphoma. The potential for combining proteasome inhibitors with other novel therapies currently in earlier stages of development will be an important component of this collaboration.

The research alliance will be overseen by a joint steering committee comprised of representatives from Onyx and MD Anderson. The steering committee will be tasked with managing the current collaboration and identifying future potential collaborations. MD Anderson will conduct all studies on behalf of the collaboration.

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic cancer and results from an abnormality of plasma cells, usually in the bone marrow. In the United States, more than 50,000 people are living with multiple myeloma and approximately 20,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.(i) Worldwide, more than 180,000 people are living with multiple myeloma and approximately 86,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.(ii)

About Lymphoma

Lymphoma is the name for a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In 2011, approximately 662,789 people were living with lymphoma or were in remission (no sign of the disease). This number includes about 159,846 people with Hodgkin lymphoma and 502,943 people with NHL.(iii)

About Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Based in South San Francisco, California, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for improving the lives of people with cancer. The company is focused on developing novel medicines that target key molecular pathways. For more information about Onyx, visit the company's website at www.onyx.com.

About the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. MD Anderson is one of only 41 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. For eight of the past ten years, including 2011, MD Anderson has ranked No. 1 in cancer care in "Best Hospitals," a survey published annually in U.S. News & World Report.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" of Onyx within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding the progress and results of preclinical and clinical development of carfilzomib.  These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated, including risks related to the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Reference should be made to Onyx's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading "Risk Factors" and Onyx's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for a more detailed description of such factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this release. Onyx undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date of this release except as required by law.

(i) National Cancer Institute, Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results, 2007 Facts and Figures

(ii) International Agency for Research on Cancer, GLOBOCAN 2002 database

(iii) "Lymphoma" The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. http://www.lls.org/diseaseinformation/lymphoma/

SOURCE Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.