Genetic Engineering News Reports DNA-based Vaccines Move Closer to Commercialization
LARCHMONT, N.Y.--(BW HealthWire)--June 7, 2000--DNA-based vaccines are overcoming developmental hurdles and showing promise as new approaches for the prevention and treatment of serious diseases, reports Genetic Engineering News (GEN) (www.genengnews.com). Research is focusing on DNA vaccines and vaccine stimulants for preventing HIV and hepatitis B and C infections as well as for treating various cancers by stimulating the immune system against tumor antigens, according to the June 1, 2000, issue of GEN.
"Up until recently, a number of DNA-based vaccine preparations did not produce powerful and effective immune responses," says John Sterling, managing editor of GEN. "Subsequent work has been directed at enhancing both cellular and humoral responses and improving delivery systems. DNA vaccines are very promising because they tend to be stable, offer long-term immunity and provide the opportunity to vaccinate against multiple diseases in a single inoculation."
Coley Pharmaceutical Group, for example, is developing immune stimulants for creating stronger vaccines and for attacking cancer. These stimulants are based on novel DNA structures called CpG dinucleotides (CpG DNA). CPG7909, one of the company's lead compounds, is being tested in Phase I/II clinical trials to improve the response of SmithKline Beecham's (NYSE:SBH) Engerix-B vaccine for hepatitis B.
Vical (NASDAQ:VICL) is also developing anticancer immunotherapeutics based on its naked DNA technology. Vical's antitumor vaccines are preparations of plasmid DNA and are designed to be injected intramuscularly or complexed with lipids for direct injection into tumors.
Some other companies that are involved in DNA-based vaccines, vaccine stimulants or delivery systems include Chiron (NASDAQ:CHIR), Genetronics Biomedical (AMEX:GEB), Dynavax Technologies, Triangle Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VIRS) , Bioject Medical Technologies (NASDAQL:BJCT) and Aventis Pasteur (NYSE:AVE).
Genetic Engineering News is published 21 times a year by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. For a copy of the magazine, please call 914-834-3100, ext. 623, or email: ebicovny@liebertpub.com.
CONTACT:
Mary Ann Liebert, Larchmont
John Sterling
Managing Editor
914-834-3880 |
