Bionovo Discovers New Estrogen Regulatory Elements For Breast Cancer And Osteoporosis Drugs

Bionovo Inc. (Nasdaq: BNVI) announced results on the role of estrogen
regulatory elements important in developing drugs for breast cancer and
osteoporosis. The data, which were presented at the Endocrine Society's
90th Annual Meeting, showed that the new regulatory elements are essential
for the differentiation of the estrogenic pharmacological activity exerted
by different compounds.



"Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) differ from estrogen in
how they regulate gene transcription and result in different
pharmacological profiles and clinical effects," said Dr. Dale Leitman, from
the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the
University of California, San Francisco. "This study identified gene
elements that are activated by SERMs but not by estrogens used in hormone
therapy. The identification of these elements, coupled with the
understanding of the differential regulation in various tissues, provides a
new platform for the discovery of estrogenic drugs with SERM-like
profiles."



The study was conducted by investigators at The Center for Reproductive
Sciences in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive
Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco in collaboration
with scientists at Bionovo.



"The discovery of these selective estrogen regulatory elements
strengthens our SERM discovery engine," said Isaac Cohen, Bionovo's
chairman and chief executive officer. "The advantage of the new array of
specific regulatory elements is manifest in the pharmacological and
toxicological insights gained. We can now acquire higher predictive value
and greater specificity from a very complex biological system. I believe
this puts Bionovo at the forefront of more rapidly developing future SERM
products which are far more specific."



About Bionovo's SERM Platform



Bionovo is discovering and developing a new generation of novel
selective estrogen modulators. The selectivity is based on receptor subtype
regulation, agonist, antagonist effect, selective gene activation and
repression and specific recruitment of co-regulatory proteins. Selective
estrogen receptor modulators can be useful for many indications in women's
health such as breast and uterine cancer, osteoporosis, menopausal
symptoms, vaginal atrophy, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and other
disorders. This platform provides Bionovo the molecular, pharmacological
and toxicological insights needed for drugs of the future.
















About Bionovo



Bionovo is a pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and
development of safe and effective treatments for women's health and cancer,
which are markets with significant unmet needs and billions in potential
annual revenue. The company applies its expertise in the biology of
menopause and cancer to design new drugs derived from botanical sources
which have novel mechanisms of action. Based on the results of early and
mid-stage clinical trials, Bionovo believes they have discovered new
classes of drug candidates within their rich pipeline with the potential to
be leaders in their markets. Bionovo is headquartered in Emeryville,
California and is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol,
"BNVI". For more information about Bionovo and its programs, visit
bionovo.



Forward Looking Statements



This release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to
the business of Bionovo, Inc. that can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," or similar
expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties relating to product
development, efficacy and safety, regulatory actions or delays, the ability
to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property
protection, market acceptance, physician acceptance, third party
reimbursement, future capital requirements, competition in general and
other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from
those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.
Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in
greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
which are available at sec. Bionovo, Inc. is under no
obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter
its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.


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