In the event that Galton didn't sell the entire farm......
Thursday October 7, 12:03 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: CytImmune Sciences, Inc.
Colloidal Gold as a Targeted Drug/Gene Delivery
System
COLLEGE PARK, Md., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- CytImmune Sciences, Inc. has received
an award of $2 million from the Advanced Technology Program (ATP). The ATP, part of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce, conducts a rigorous competition for new technologies in the fields of
biotechnology, chemistry, information technology, electronics and photonics, and materials and manufacturing whose impact on
the national economy is deemed to be significant. The Company was one of 37 companies chosen from over 400 applicants to
receive this award.
This 3-year cooperative agreement will help fund The Company's R&D program, which is focused on commercializing a
colloidal gold-based drug and gene delivery system. The ATP sponsored research will help support two new cancer therapies.
The first therapy is designed to safely and efficaciously deliver the potent anti-cancer cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha
(TNFa), while the second therapy is designed to develop a targeted, non-viral gene therapy for the antiangiogenic factor,
Endostatin(TM). The Company is currently working in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and EntreMed, Inc. to
bring these therapies forward through the necessary pre- clincial studies prior to entering the clinic.
The Company recognized early that the unique chemistry of colloidal gold may provide safe, effective, targeted delivery for
highly active drugs and genes. Colloidal gold is a solution of gold nanoparticles that is manufactured from inexpensive gold salts.
These sub-microscopic spheres have been used clinically to treat disease, but their use as a clinical drug/gene delivery system
has not been previously explored. The Company has a number of patents pending that cover the various uses of colloidal gold
in medicine.
ATP funding will help The Company realize its goal of providing new therapies for cancer treatment. By using the colloidal gold
delivery system, The Company will demonstrate that cytokine treatment and gene therapy may be directed or targeted to
specific cells within the body to enhance safety and efficacy. These cancer treatments can then achieve their full potential.
''Because of this correlation this project will directly influence the evolution of traditional medicine as we know it,'' remarks
Lawrence Tamarkin, Ph.D., President and CEO, Cytimmune Sciences Inc. When successfully developed and later
commercialized, the technology may reduce the toxicity of many drugs and transform the practice of oncology to emphasize
therapies that harness the body's natural defenses.
College Park, Md.-based CytImmune Sciences Inc., is a privately held company founded in 1988. The Company patented its
ACCUCYTE® product line in 1996 and has commercialized 52 different immunoassay kits under the ACCUCYTE® and
CytELISA(TM) product lines. After receiving an initial round of funding in 1997, the Company is collaborating with research
entities worldwide to explore new platform technologies including targeted drug delivery systems, methods for safe delivery of
cytokines for immunotherapeutic regimens, gene therapy, and vaccine adjuvants. For further information, please visit the
CytImmune Sciences Web site at www.cytimmune.com.
Statements herein that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking and subject to risk and uncertainties. Actual
results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including risks relating to the early
stage of products under development; uncertainties relating to clinical trials; dependence on third parties, future capital needs;
and risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of the Company's proposed products (such as marketing, safety, regulatory,
patent, product liability, supply, competition and other risks).
ACCYCYTE is a registered trademark and CytELISA is a trademark of CytImmune Sciences, Inc. Endostatin is a trademark
of EntreMed, Inc.
SOURCE: CytImmune Sciences, Inc. |
