NEWS!!!!!!!!
University Studies Focus on Overcoming Antisense 'Delivery Barrier'
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 13, 1999--Beta Tests of the Cryogenic Solutions Inc.'s (OTC BB:CYGS) single stranded DNA Intracellular Expression Vector (ssDNA IEV) are underway at several leading university research facilities. The principal objective of the Beta Tests is to obtain results affirming the effective delivery of gene sequences with therapeutic potential.
Antisense Gene Therapy was first devised in 1990 and was quickly recognized as holding the potential to eliminate those diseases that result from the over expression of harmful proteins by certain genes. A published report by the ''FINANCIAL TIMES, Pharmaceuticals'' clearly defines the technology:
''Most human diseases arise from the function or dysfunction of genes within the body, either those of pathogens, such as viruses, or the body's own genes. New technological advances in molecular biology have led to the identification of genes associated with major human diseases and the determination of their genetic basis.
'''Oligonucleotide Players' is a new report in the 'FT Pharmaceuticals Bio Frontiers Series,' reviewing commercial activities in the field of therapeutic oligonucleotides. Antisense oligonucleotide technology is providing a highly specific strategy for targeting a wide range of diseases at the genetic level, by interfering with mRNA to inhibit production of disease associated proteins.
''In this rapidly expanding market, the race is on to develop oligonucleotide drugs for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, HIV, Hepatitis B and a range of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and psoriasis.''
There are currently over six hundred patented oligos with antisense potential but few have completed the journey from lab to clinic. The promise of Antisense Gene therapy has been blunted by the problem of 1) getting the therapeutic antisense molecules delivered to targeted cells, 2) overcoming the body's metabolic processes and 3) delivering the oligos intact and in sufficient quantities to be effective in living organisms.
The ''FT Pharmaceuticals'' report goes on to identify the principal ''players'' in the field and CYGS is named as one of them, principally because the company's patented ssDNA IEV has been demonstrated to effectively overcome the delivery barrier in studies conducted by InGene Inc. CYGS is the only company listed with enabling technology capable of enhancing the technologies owned by the other firms on the list.
The company has a sponsored research agreement with the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio to test in vivo genetic expression related to antisense therapy for SIV (the simian version of HIV).
CYGS has also provided Beta Test Kits of the ssDNA IEV at cost to Universities and other Biotech firms to develop additional data demonstrating effective expression of selected oligonucleotides in a variety of cell types. Studies are already in progress at several research facilities, including the following Universities:
Harvard University, The Brigham & Women's Hospital, Inc, (H. Franklin Bunn, MD). Objective: to subclone and express ssDNA sequence specific to Dr. Bunn's previously cloned gene regulating intracellular oxygen sensing.
The Research Foundation of SUNY/HSC Syracuse, Dept of Biochemistry, (Adrian McNairn). Objective: to study the role of DNA-binding protein in replication using antisense technology.
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit Medical Center, (Richard E. Leach, M.D). Objective: to test the effect of progesterone receptor B isoform knockdown in human endometrial cells and hypoxia inducible factor 1-x knockdown in human trophoblast cells on cell behavior.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dept of Pharmacology, (Rudolf Juliano, PhD). Objective: to test antisense oligonucleotides in cancer.
The University of California, San Diego, The Whittier Institute for Diabetes, (Vincenzo Cirulli, MD, PhD). Objective: the transfection of anti-sense sequences in primary and tumoral pancreatic cells. The goal of our studies is to dissect molecular mechanisms regulating the growth and differentiation of pancreatic islet cells. Cell-to-cell interactions play important roles in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation in a variety of biological systems. Our current efforts focus on the inactivation of specific cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in pancreatic islet cells by using the new ssDNA technology. By this novel approach, we hope to identify unique roles for specific CAMs expressed in pancreatic islet cells, possibly regulating either cell proliferation or endocrine differentiation.
Yale University School of Medicine, (Peter M. Glazer, MD, PhD). Objective: to study triple helix formation in mammalian cells as an antigene strategy using the ssDNA generated by the materials in the kit.
In all of these studies, the singular goal for the company is to get results affirming the effective delivery of the designated antisense molecules. Preliminary reports confirm that the vector is performing as intended. Successful completion of the studies means a major hurdle has been overcome in developing therapeutic products for clinical trials.
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Contact:
Cryogenic Solutions, Houston
Dell Gibson, 713/780-1399 |
