VLTS ...in the medical/biotech arena , been on a nice up-trend since trading at a low of 5 last may to a close 13 7/8 (+1 9/16) on friday
with triple the average volume @ 1mil shrs traded...on no news that i seem to find.
VLTS has had no active thread on SI, till now, yet seemed to have made a significant announcement at the last Hambrecht & Quist Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, Jan 10th 2000, that it is extending its product line by developing gene delivery systems for secreted proteins:
biz.yahoo.com
Seems it has attracted some eyes at various bio conferences,and has several phases I & II clinical trials involving Interferon Gene therapy...
earnings
due out on feb 8th, hit new high on jan 7 of $13 1/4....
Valentis is working with F. Hoffman–La Roche ("Roche") to develop gene-based immunotherapeutics for cancer based on the interleukin-2 ("IL-2"), interleukin-12 ("IL-12") and interferon alpha ("IFN-a ") genes. Phase IIa clinical trials in the U.S. and Germany have been completed for the first gene medicine from this collaboration which incorporates the human IL-2 gene formulated with a cationic lipid formulation for the treatment of head and neck cancer. The Phase IIa trial of the IL-2 gene medicine showed that the product was safe and well tolerated, with evidence of IL-2 expression up to 11 days post-treatment. A Phase IIb with IL-2 began in June 1999.
megabios.com
Located in Burlingame, Ca , VLTS has an exclusive license to certain patents and patent applications held by The Regents of the University of California related to in vivo, non-viral delivery of genes using positively charged lipids, including delivery by various modes of administration and for use in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Has the following Academic collaborations: megabios.com
IsValentis has products in human clinical trials, either via physician-sponsored INDs, on our own or with our partners
working on several clinical trials in phase 1 & II for head and neck cancer in conjunction with Roche with phase IIb begun for this product in june 99.
A Phase IIa study for malignant melanoma using a combination of IL-2 and a superantigen (SEB) gene is being conducted under a physician-sponsored IND which began in May 1998. . The trial is being conducted by Dr. Pat Walsh at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. The costs of the trial are being supported in part by a clinical grant from the National Cancer Institute.
In 2000, Valentis is planning to put three additional products into clinical testing.
megabios.com
Any who are following this company or has any knowledge in the developement, making and progress of gene~medicine therapy, please contribute here, if you like. |
