March 23, 2000

NEW CLINICAL TRIALS BRING INNOVATIVE CANCER TREATMENT CLOSER TO HOME

Battelle and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute announced today that they will collaborate in testing an innovative new cancer treatment based on an inhalation chemotherapy developed by Battelle. Phase I clinical trials began in October at a cancer center in New York using the inhalation chemotherapy treatment for people with lung cancer and tumors which have metastasized to the lung. The Phase I clinical trials bring together expertise and experience from OSU's oncology, pulmonary and nuclear medicine departments and Battelle's multidisciplinary team of researchers.

The study builds upon a cooperative relationship already established between Battelle and The Ohio State University Hospitals pulmonary and nuclear medicine experts who have been using the inhalation device to determine dosage levels in the treatment of other respiratory diseases.

Given the innovative nature of inhalation therapy, the relationship with Ohio State, located literally across the street from Battelle, enhances cooperation on all levels. "This physical proximity makes monitoring and adjustments easier as we guide people through these experimental treatments," said Tony Imondi, VP for Regulatory and Clinical Affairs. Battelle is coordinating the study with Dr. Gregory Otterson, an OSU oncologist, and Dr. James Allen, a pulmonologist at OSU.

The promising new method delivers the chemotherapy medication directly to the lungs via a device developed at Battelle. Key to this new approach is that the device and procedure allow controlled delivery of the drug to the lung without contaminating the environment and exposing the therapists to toxic chemotherapy drugs. Phase I clinical trials are being conducted in patients who have cancer in their lungs which is not treatable by conventional means. Low doses are given initially to determine the safety of the treatment.

Lung cancer is the number-one killer of both men and women. In the U.S. 164,100 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. Of this total approximately 60 percent die within one year and 86 percent within five years.

The National Cancer Institute is also collaborating with Battelle on this Phase I program, which is expected to be completed by early 2001. The work is being conducted by Battelle's pulmonary therapeutics division, which focuses on developing pulmonary drugs and medical devices that can treat respiratory and systemic diseases.

For more information contact Linda Montler, Program Director at The James, at (614) 293-3670.

Battelle, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, focuses on technology development and commercialization and product development. With 7,500 employees at more than 60 locations, Battelle develops technologies and products for industry and government. Annual revenues are approximately $1 billion. For more information on Battelle and its technology forecasts, visit Battelle's web site at www.battelle.org, or contact Katy Delaney, Media Relations manager, (614) 424-5544.