08.24.2009

PharmaGap Releases Compelling Results for GAP-107B8 from the U.S. National Cancer Institute

Ottawa, Ontario/August 24, 2009 – PharmaGap Inc. (TSX-V: GAP; OTC.BB: PHRGF) (“PharmaGap” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce results from the initial testing of its lead cancer drug

GAP-107B8 by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI).  The NCI data clearly demonstrates significant inhibition of cancer cell growth at a low drug concentration (10μM) across a wide range of human cancer cell lines that comprise the NCI-60 panel.  As currently configured, the NCI-60 panel is comprised of 57 human cancer cell lines derived from 9 different cancers (breast, prostate, renal, ovarian, CNS, colon, lung, melanoma and leukemia).

The Company is very pleased to report that in this test, GAP-107B8 demonstrated greater than 50% inhibition in cancer cell growth in 26 of 57 cell lines (46% of all cell lines), from all 9 cancer types in the panel, indicating the potential for potent effect of this novel drug compound across a broad range of human cancers .

Notably, 7 of 9 melanoma cell lines showed a dramatic effect, with inhibition of cell growth of 58% to 100%, with one melanoma cell line showing 100% inhibition of cell growth plus cell death in 39% of treated cells. In 4 of 6 breast cancer lines, 67% to 100% inhibition of cell growth was seen, and in 3 of 5 CNS cancer cell lines, growth inhibition was 63% to 100%. In 1 of 2 prostate cancer cell lines, growth inhibition was 100%.

Dr. Doug Cowart, an experienced clinical pharmacologist and CEO of Therapeutic Development Consultants in North Potomac, MD and a member of PharmaGap’s Clinical Development Group, commented on the results, “The initial data from the NCI is a powerful and compelling independent validation of GAP-107B8’s potential for development in the treatment of a wide range of cancers. We are especially pleased that the data were consistent with the Company’s previous finding of the compound’s efficacy in breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer cell lines, while also identifying potential new candidate cell lines, such as those derived from melanoma. We look forward to pursuing the study of all of this new data with our colleague on the Clinical Development Group, Dr. Gary Schwartz, Chief of the Melanoma & Sarcoma Service unit at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.”

Results from the NCI-60 screen for GAP-107B8’s anti-proliferative effect on ovarian cancer are also consistent with positive data announced by PharmaGap on August 6, 2009 from studies undertaken by Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

As was announced by the Company on August 13, 2009, based upon the very positive anti-proliferative effect of GAP-107B8 on cancer cells in the one-drug dose study, the NCI has informed the Company that it has selected the compound for a “next phase” dose-response study at 5 concentration levels, so as to better characterize the effects of varying drug dose levels on individual types of cancer, a key element in determining the initial cancer target or targets and designing protocols for clinical trials in humans. 

About The National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), located in Bethesda, MD is an institute of the National Institutes of Health, the primary U.S. Federal Agency for conducting and supporting medical research. The NCI has a mandate to select and screen novel drug compounds that could potentially make a material difference in the “war against cancer”.  Selection to the NCI screening program is through a competitive application process. Details on the NCI’s compound screening program can be found at http://dtp.nci.nih.gov/.  More general information on the NCI is found at www.cancer.gov.

About PharmaGap Inc.
PharmaGap Inc. (TSX-V: GAP), based in Ottawa, ON, is a biotechnology company with a core focus on developing novel therapeutic compounds for the treatment of cancer. PharmaGap's research platform targets cellular signalling pathways controlled by Protein Kinase C (PKC) isoforms. PharmaGap's lead drug compound, PhG-alpha-1, is in preclinical development and targets PKC alpha. The Company's strategy is to out-license drug compounds to larger life sciences companies at the preclinical stage. For more information on PharmaGap please visit the Company's website at www.pharmagap.com.

For information relating to this Release, please contact:
Robert McInnis, President & CEO
(613) 990-9551 bmcinnis@pharmagap.com

Note: The TSX-Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No Securities Commission or other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over PharmaGap has approved or disapproved of the information contained herein. This release contains forward looking statements that may not occur or may change materially.