TAMPA, Fla., May 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Oxis Biotech, Inc. (OXIS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxis International, Inc. OTC: OXIS, OXI.PA, announced today that Cassian Yee, M.D., Professor, Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center joined its scientific advisory board.  Dr. Yee is also Professor, Department of Immunology, Division of Cancer Medicine, and Director, Solid Tumor Cell Therapy, Center for Cancer Immunology Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. 

Dr. Yee previously held the position of Professor in Division of Oncology at the University of Washington, and was a Member in the Department of Immunology, Clinical Research Division of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.  Dr. Yee received his medical degree from the University of Manitoba in Canada, and trained as a research fellow at the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto before continuing his medical residency at Stanford University.  Dr. Yee completed his fellowship in medical oncology, and postdoctoral research studies at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.  Dr. Yee is a recipient of the Cancer Research Institute Investigator Award, and the Damon Runyon Walter Winchell Clinical Investigator Award.  Dr. Yee is also a Burroughs Wellcome Scientist in Translational Research, and has been elected a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation.

Dr. Yee's research has been focused on the isolation of autologous antigen-specific T cells from the peripheral blood, manipulation of immune modulating parameters to enhance effector function and persistence, and their expansion to numbers sufficient for adoptive transfer and in vivo tracking.  Dr. Yee and his team described the first successful use of a patient's own T-cells as the sole therapy to put advanced melanoma into long-term remission.  Recently, Dr. Yee demonstrated for the first time that human T cells can become long lasting memory cells after infusion, and when combined with a checkpoint inhibitor, halt tumor growth in patients with metastatic melanoma.

"We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with Cassian again, and we look forward to his helping us build Oxis into a leading cancer immunotherapy company," said Anthony J. Cataldo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Oxis Biotech. 

About Oxis Biotech, Inc.

Oxis Biotech is a cancer immunotherapy company developing innovative therapies focused on the treatment of cancer.  Oxis' immunotherapy platform includes bispecific immune cell engagers, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and novel small molecule therapeutics targeting B-cell malignancies and certain solid tumors such as triple negative breast cancer.  OXIS' lead drug candidate, OXS-2175, is being developed for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.  In in vitro and in vivo models of TNBC, OXS-2175 demonstrated the ability to inhibit metastasis.  OXIS' lead drug candidate, OXS-4235, is being developed for the treatment of multiple myeloma and associated osteolytic lesions.  In in vitro and in vivo models of multiple myeloma and osteoporosis, OXS-4235 demonstrated the ability to kill multiple myeloma cells, and decrease osteolytic lesions in bone.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently unreliable and actual results may differ materially.  Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the payment of dividends, marketing and distribution plans, development activities and anticipated operating results.  Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include such factors as the Company's ability to accomplish its business initiatives, significant fluctuations in marketing expenses and ability to achieve and expand significant levels of revenues, or recognize net income, from the sale of its products and services, as well as the introduction of competing products, or management's ability to attract and maintain qualified personnel necessary for the development and commercialization of its planned products, and other information that may be detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact
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SOURCE Oxis International, Inc.