CYGXE news:
(PR Wires) PRW: CytoGenix Inc. Licenses TroVec Antisense Delivery Syste
PRW: CytoGenix Inc. Licenses TroVec Antisense Delivery System to PharmaGenix
LLC
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 2000--CytoGenix Inc. (OTCBB:CYGX) has
executed the first license for the use of its proprietary single stranded
DNA intracellular expression vector (TroVec((TM))) to PharmaGenix LLC.,
owned jointly by CYGX and PCCA (Professional Compounding Centers of America
Inc).
PharmaGenix is the first company to combine the traditional science and
skills of compounding pharmacists with those molecular biologists and
geneticists in the search for new, more effective, and longer lasting
treatment of a wide range conditions in any living organism.
Molecular biology has made great strides in determining the genetic basis of
disease. The new science of Pharmacogenomics is the practice of translating
these results into effective therapeutic compounds. CytoGenix and PCCA have
joined hands to get a head start on the process by instituting informational
and educational pharmacogenomic programs for pharmacists, physicians and
veterinarians.
The initial focus of PharmaGenix will be the development of products using
nucleic acid constituents in nutritional and topical applications that are
not regulated by the FDA as prescription drugs.
DNA and RNA are naturally occurring nucleic acids substances currently sold
as nutritional supplements at your neighborhood health food store. They are
in the same family as amino acids, vitamins and proteins. The smallest sub
units of nucleic acid are the five nucleotides that make up RNA or DNA,
depending on which four are used. The function they perform depends on the
sequence in which the nucleotides are arranged. These materials can be
extracted and refined from plants and animals, or they can be identically
synthesized from their basic biochemical components.
CytoGenix is pursuing license opportunities with companies who own Antisense
molecules with therapeutic potential in humans, food and companion animals,
and agricultural applications.
In the following effort to explain the CytoGenix(TM) antisense molecule
delivery technology in everyday language, scientific accuracy has
necessarily been compromised. A more scientifically accurate and complex
explanation is available on the CYGX website, cytogenix.com.
ANTISENSE THERAPY: The genetic code (operating system) for the human body is
made up of a nucleic acid constructs (DNA) which is a double strand of four
nucleotides arranged in various sequences that control every function of the
body. A similar material, RNA is used to convey the information contained in
the DNA to other parts of the cells where various biological functions are
performed, such as the production of amino acids, proteins, enzymes,
hormones, etc.
Most diseases are caused by incorrect or excess production of proteins in
the cells of the body. This may be caused by a faulty gene or the activities
of a bacteria or virus.
To produce a protein, the cell first makes a messenger RNA (mRNA) copy of
the DNA code containing the information necessary to produce the protein.
This is called the "sense" molecule. This messenger molecule then moves to
another part of the cell where it is translated into the process to produce
the protein.
Scientists use the information content of the messenger RNA nucleotide
sequence to construct highly specific "antisense" molecules (single strands
of DNA) comprised of the same naturally occurring biological material
(nucleic acid) already found in the cells.
An Antisense molecule specifically binds to and neutralizes the mRNA
sequence coding for a target protein to prevent the cell from using that
message to make the offending protein
Because of their specificity, Antisense molecules don't have the toxicity
potential of traditional chemical or herbal compounds. In addition,
Antisense molecules can be designed to treat a wide range of infectious and
inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
A key distinction of Antisense therapy is that it intervenes much earlier in
the disease process than traditional drug therapies.
To date, biotech researchers have identified and patented over 600 of the
single stranded DNA molecules called oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) that
are Antisense agents. The impediment to developing effective therapies using
the Antisense molecules has been the problem of "delivering" the ODNs into
individual cells where they can bind to the offending mRNA and prevent the
production of harmful proteins.
The CytoGenix(TM) ssDNA intracellular expression vector (TroVec((TM)))
overcomes the "delivery" barrier by actually synthesizing sequence specific
ODN Antisense molecules in the cell where they must be to do their job.
TroVec(TM) is in essence an Antisense ODN delivery system.
By way of illustration: The DNA in the cell is the communications center
that sends instructions to the cell to produce harmful proteins. This DNA
may be part of the genome or it could be a parasitic rogue gene, such as a
virus, that may inhabit certain cells. RNA is the signal that carries the
message. The antisense ODN "delivered" by the CytoGenix(TM) vector
technology intercepts the signal and cancels the message. The harmful
proteins are therefore not produced. The disease is arrested.
ANTISENSE THERAPY vis a vis GENE THERAPY: Unlike Antisense Therapy, which
merely intercepts and cancels the messages that result in the production of
disease causing proteins, Gene Therapy involves actually modifying the
genetic code contained in the chromosomes of each cell. This is a much more
radical procedure and has the inherent potential for unanticipated and
unwanted results.
Gene Therapy is the equivalent to rewriting part of the basic code in the
operating system of your computer whereas Antisense Therapy is analogous to
merely deleting a file.
The enormous potential of the various genetically based therapies is just
beginning to be recognized and appreciated. Research and development are
progressing at an ever increasing pace with new players entering the game
almost daily. Each Antisense molecule that is identified and cataloged
represents another ailment that may no longer cause suffering and premature
death so long as appropriate and accurate delivery mechanisms can be
provided. CytoGenix will continue its efforts to refine and improve its
TroVec(TM) technology to participate in the ongoing development of
meaningful therapeutics.
Additional information about the company and its technology can be found on
the website at cytogenix.com.
CONTACT: CytoGenix Inc., Houston
Dell Gibson, 281/988-6118
08:03 EST FEBRUARY 16, 2000
(COMTEX) B: CytoGenix Inc. Licenses TroVec Antisense Delivery System
B: CytoGenix Inc. Licenses TroVec Antisense Delivery System to PharmaGenix LLC
HOUSTON, Feb 16, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- CytoGenix Inc. (OTCBB:CYGX)
has executed the first license for the use of its proprietary single
stranded DNA intracellular expression vector (TroVec((TM))) to
PharmaGenix LLC., owned jointly by CYGX and PCCA (Professional
Compounding Centers of America Inc).
PharmaGenix is the first company to combine the traditional science and
skills of compounding pharmacists with those molecular biologists and
geneticists in the search for new, more effective, and longer lasting
treatment of a wide range conditions in any living organism.
Molecular biology has made great strides in determining the genetic
basis of disease. The new science of Pharmacogenomics is the practice
of translating these results into effective therapeutic compounds.
CytoGenix and PCCA have joined hands to get a head start on the process
by instituting informational and educational pharmacogenomic programs
for pharmacists, physicians and veterinarians.
The initial focus of PharmaGenix will be the development of products
using nucleic acid constituents in nutritional and topical applications
that are not regulated by the FDA as prescription drugs.
DNA and RNA are naturally occurring nucleic acids substances currently
sold as nutritional supplements at your neighborhood health food store.
They are in the same family as amino acids, vitamins and proteins. The
smallest sub units of nucleic acid are the five nucleotides that make
up RNA or DNA, depending on which four are used. The function they
perform depends on the sequence in which the nucleotides are arranged.
These materials can be extracted and refined from plants and animals,
or they can be identically synthesized from their basic biochemical
components.
CytoGenix is pursuing license opportunities with companies who own
Antisense molecules with therapeutic potential in humans, food and
companion animals, and agricultural applications.
In the following effort to explain the CytoGenix(TM) antisense molecule
delivery technology in everyday language, scientific accuracy has
necessarily been compromised. A more scientifically accurate and
complex explanation is available on the CYGX website,
cytogenix.com.
ANTISENSE THERAPY: The genetic code (operating system) for the human
body is made up of a nucleic acid constructs (DNA) which is a double
strand of four nucleotides arranged in various sequences that control
every function of the body. A similar material, RNA is used to convey
the information contained in the DNA to other parts of the cells where
various biological functions are performed, such as the production of
amino acids, proteins, enzymes, hormones, etc.
Most diseases are caused by incorrect or excess production of proteins
in the cells of the body. This may be caused by a faulty gene or the
activities of a bacteria or virus.
To produce a protein, the cell first makes a messenger RNA (mRNA) copy
of the DNA code containing the information necessary to produce the
protein. This is called the "sense" molecule. This messenger molecule
then moves to another part of the cell where it is translated into the
process to produce the protein.
Scientists use the information content of the messenger RNA nucleotide
sequence to construct highly specific "antisense" molecules (single
strands of DNA) comprised of the same naturally occurring biological
material (nucleic acid) already found in the cells.
An Antisense molecule specifically binds to and neutralizes the mRNA
sequence coding for a target protein to prevent the cell from using
that message to make the offending protein
Because of their specificity, Antisense molecules don't have the
toxicity potential of traditional chemical or herbal compounds. In
addition, Antisense molecules can be designed to treat a wide range of
infectious and inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and
cancer.
A key distinction of Antisense therapy is that it intervenes much
earlier in the disease process than traditional drug therapies.
To date, biotech researchers have identified and patented over 600 of
the single stranded DNA molecules called oligodeoxyribonucleotides
(ODNs) that are Antisense agents. The impediment to developing
effective therapies using the Antisense molecules has been the problem
of "delivering" the ODNs into individual cells where they can bind to
the offending mRNA and prevent the production of harmful proteins.
The CytoGenix(TM) ssDNA intracellular expression vector (TroVec((TM)))
overcomes the "delivery" barrier by actually synthesizing sequence
specific ODN Antisense molecules in the cell where they must be to do
their job. TroVec(TM) is in essence an Antisense ODN delivery system.
By way of illustration: The DNA in the cell is the communications
center that sends instructions to the cell to produce harmful proteins.
This DNA may be part of the genome or it could be a parasitic rogue
gene, such as a virus, that may inhabit certain cells. RNA is the
signal that carries the message. The antisense ODN "delivered" by the
CytoGenix(TM) vector technology intercepts the signal and cancels the
message. The harmful proteins are therefore not produced. The disease
is arrested.
ANTISENSE THERAPY vis a vis GENE THERAPY: Unlike Antisense Therapy,
which merely intercepts and cancels the messages that result in the
production of disease causing proteins, Gene Therapy involves actually
modifying the genetic code contained in the chromosomes of each cell.
This is a much more radical procedure and has the inherent potential
for unanticipated and unwanted results.
Gene Therapy is the equivalent to rewriting part of the basic code in
the operating system of your computer whereas Antisense Therapy is
analogous to merely deleting a file.
The enormous potential of the various genetically based therapies is
just beginning to be recognized and appreciated. Research and
development are progressing at an ever increasing pace with new players
entering the game almost daily. Each Antisense molecule that is
identified and cataloged represents another ailment that may no longer
cause suffering and premature death so long as appropriate and accurate
delivery mechanisms can be provided. CytoGenix will continue its
efforts to refine and improve its TroVec(TM) technology to participate
in the ongoing development of meaningful therapeutics.
Additional information about the company and its technology can be
found on the website at cytogenix.com.
Copyright (C) 2000 Business Wire. All rights reserved.
Distributed via COMTEX.
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CONTACT: CytoGenix Inc., Houston
Dell Gibson, 281/988-6118
WEB PAGE: businesswire.com
GEOGRAPHY: TEXAS
INDUSTRY CODE: BIOTECHNOLOGY
PHARMACEUTICAL
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