Vion Pharmaceuticals files for bankruptcy

VION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTC Bulletin Board: VION), a pharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel cancer therapeutics, announced that it had voluntarily filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Vion is continuing to operate its business as a debtor-in-possession pursuant to Sections 1107 and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code.

"We believe that the Chapter 11 process will allow us to maximize the value of the Company's assets and, if necessary, to conduct an orderly winding up or liquidation of the Company," said Alan Kessman, Chief Executive Officer. He added, "We believe that Onrigin(TM), Triapine® and our other preclinical assets should continue to be developed, if not by us then by others, as patients with cancer need additional treatment options as they face this devastating disease."

The bankruptcy filing became necessary as a result of the Company's need to conduct an additional randomized trial of its lead anticancer compound, Onrigin(TM) (laromustine) Injection, prior to approval for use in the United States. Earlier this week, the Company disclosed that it had received a complete response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") relating to its New Drug Application for Onrigin(TM) filed in February 2009. In that letter, the FDA advised that the Company complete a randomized study or studies to define the efficacy and safety of Onrigin(TM) in the patient population proposed for the indication, and that the study or studies be designed to demonstrate a survival benefit that is clearly attributable to Onrigin(TM) with an acceptable safety profile in a well-characterized patient population.

The Company also announced that it had filed for a Special Protocol Assessment ("SPA") with the FDA related to a randomized trial of Onrigin(TM) sponsored by the Dutch-Belgian Cooperative Group for Hematology Oncology ("HOVON"). The SPA process provides for an official FDA evaluation of Phase III study protocols. The HOVON Phase III trial, which has accrued over 115 patients to date, combines Onrigin(TM) with standard remission-induction therapy in patients aged 18-65 with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia ("AML") and high-risk myelodysplasia.

The Company does not have sufficient funds to conduct and complete such a randomized trial and continue its operations, and has not been able to raise additional capital in part because of its substantial debt burden. The Company listed total assets of $19.2 million and total liabilities of $65.0 million as of September 30, 2009. The Company has $60 million outstanding in 7.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2012.

During the bankruptcy proceedings, Vion will seek to conclude the SPA process and sell or merge the Company and/or its key assets, which include two products in human clinical trials (Onrigin(TM) and Triapine®), and two preclinical-stage products, VNP40541, a hypoxia-selective compound, and TAPET(TM), a drug delivery technology platform. Vion expects that if an asset sale is consummated that it would be liquidated pursuant to a plan of liquidation that would be subject to the approval of the bankruptcy court. In the event of liquidation, whether following an asset sale or otherwise, any recovery for stockholders would be highly unlikely.

Vion has retained the services of Roth Capital Partners, LLC to assist with the sale of the Company and/or its key assets during the Chapter 11 proceeding. The Company has also retained Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. to serve as its legal advisors in the bankruptcy proceeding.

Additional information about Vion's Chapter 11 case will be posted along with bankruptcy court documents when these become available on the website of the court's claims agent at www.delclaims.com.