Looking For A Comeback On OXIS International Inc (OTCMKTS:OXIS)

Shares of OXIS International Inc (OTCMKTS:OXIS) are attempting a comeback after the company began enrolling patients in a Phase 1/Phase 2 trial of its most promising cancer drug, OXS-1550. This is a big deal for OXIS and the beginning of a bounce in the share price of OXIS. Shares of OXIS are down from $.53 when we first profiled the company back in April.Oxis' lead drug candidate, OXS-1550 (DT2219ARL), is a novel bispecific scFv recombinant fusion protein-drug conjugate composed of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-CD19 and anti-CD22 antibodies and a modified form of diphtheria toxin as its cytotoxic drug payload. OXS-1550 simultaneously targets cancer cells expressing the CD19 receptor or CD22 receptor or both receptors. When OXS-1550 binds to cancer cells, the cancer cells internalize the drug and are killed due to the action of drug's cytotoxic payload. OXS-1550 has demonstrated success in early human clinical trials in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma or leukemia.In addition, OXS-4235 is a small molecule therapeutic candidate targeting 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. OXIS' lead drug candidate, OXS-2175, is a small molecule therapeutic candidate targeting the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In in vitro and in vivo models of TNBC, OXS-2175 demonstrated the ability to inhibit metastasis.The FDA-approved clinical trial for OXS-1550 is being conducted at the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Center under the watch of Dr. Daniel Vallera, a research scientist who developed the drug and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Oxis' wholly owned subsidiary, Oxis Biotech Inc. OXS-1550 (DT2219ARL) is designed to target cancer cells and destroy them, while leaving healthy cells alone. When OXS-1550 binds to cancer cells, the cancer cells internalize the drug and are killed. Dr Vallera said:

"What sets OXS-1550 apart from other cancer treatments is its ability to target cancer cells without damaging health cells. As a result, the treatment is safer and more specific in its killing of cancer cells. We believe OXS-1550 to be a powerful alternative to existing chemotherapies, since many patients fail chemotherapy or reach the toxic limits of their therapy. I am looking forward to helping to guide Oxis into the future of targeted immunotherapy."

In an earlier Phase 1 clinical trial, twenty-five patients with mature or precursor B-cell lymphoid malignancies expressing CD19 and/or CD22 were enrolled. When the study allowed for an increase in the dose level (60 mg/kg) in the final 9 patients, durable objective responses occurred in 2 patients; one patient continues to be in complete remission after being administered 2 cycles of OXS-1550.OXIS also just received a U.S. Patent for OXS-1550. U.S. Patent No. 9,371,386 provides bi-specific targeting compositions including a cytotoxic agent conjugated to a targeting moiety and a binding fragment which targets CD19 or CD22. The patent also includes methods of treating humans having lymphoma or B-cell malignancies using the patented composition.Currently trading with a market cap of $9 million, OXIS is an exciting story on the OTC Markets. Besides the science behind its lead candidates, we like that the company's founder, Chairman and CEO Anthony Cataldo, has a proven track record in biotech. He is the founder and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lion Biotechnologies Inc (NASDAQ:LBIO). He led the company from February 2011 until June 2013, using assets licensed from the National Cancer Institute for the treatment of stage four melanoma. Today, Lion has a market capitalization of around $450 million.We will be updating Insider Financial as soon as we know more. For continuing coverage on OXIS, sign up for our free newsletter today and get our next hot stock pick!Disclosure: We have no position in OXIS and have not been compensated for this article.