Finally, some TAPET news
Monday October 11, 2:21 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Vion to Begin Phase I Human Safety Trial of First TAPET(R) Construct VNP20009
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- VION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (Nasdaq: VION - news) today announced that its protocol has received Investigational Review Board (IRB) approval to begin a Phase I safety trial of VNP20009, the first generation of TAPET© (Tumor Amplified Protein Expression Therapy), the company's drug delivery platform, in cancer patients with accessible solid tumors (e.g., stage IV melanoma or metastatic breast cancer patients with cutaneous metastases). The trial will be conducted at the Cleveland Clinic. Ronald M. Bukowski, M.D., Associate Director of Clinical Research and Director, Experimental Therapeutics Program at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, will serve as the company's principal clinical investigator.
Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of cancer treatment technologies. Vion's product portfolio consists of TAPET, a drug delivery platform, and three cancer therapeutics (Promycin, Triapine and Sulfonyl Hydrazine Prodrugs). TAPET has been shown in preclinical models to effectively deliver anticancer agents, inhibiting tumor growth while having a minimal effect on healthy normal tissues. TAPET uses genetically altered strains of Salmonella as a bacterial vector, or vehicle, for potentially delivering cancer fighting drugs preferentially to solid tumors. Promycin, which attacks oxygen depleted cancer cells, is currently being evaluated with radiation in a multicenter Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Triapine, which is designed to prevent the replication of tumor cells by blocking a critical step in the synthesis of DNA, is currently being evaluated for its safety in a Phase I clinical trial. Sulfonyl Hydrazine Prodrugs, compounds that are designed to be converted to unique potent, alkylating agents, are currently being evaluated in preclinical studies.
Statements included in this press release which are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements regarding the company's future business prospects, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to those contained in the company's Registration Statement filed on Form S-3/A (file no. 333-79939). This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the common stock nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.
CONTACT: Alan Kessman, President & CEO, or Thomas E. Klein, VP Finance & CFO, 203-498-4210, both of Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
SOURCE: Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
