Vical Licenses Naked DNA Technology to Aventis Pharma for Growth Factor Delivery
SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--July 6, 2000--Vical Inc. (Nasdaq:VICL) announced today a license agreement granting Aventis Pharma, the pharmaceutical company of Aventis S.A. (NYSE:AVE), rights to use Vical's naked DNA gene transfer technology to deliver a growth factor gene for which Aventis Pharma holds rights.
Naked DNA is Vical's patented method for delivering genes into cells in the body without using a virus. The agreement resulted in an initial payment to Vical of $1.5 million and could generate milestone payments plus royalties if products advance through commercialization.
Several companies have tested naked DNA delivery of angiogenic growth factor genes in tissues where disease has restricted blood flow. Administration of an angiogenic growth factor gene may stimulate localized growth of new blood vessels which may restore blood flow to the affected areas. Aventis Pharma initiated a clinical trial in 1999 testing naked DNA delivery of a gene encoding an angiogenic growth factor in patients with critical limb ischemia, a severe loss of blood flow caused by blockage of arteries feeding the foot and lower leg.
Vical Inc., The Naked DNA Company(TM), is focused on the development of pharmaceutical product candidates based on its patented gene delivery technology. A number of therapeutic and vaccine product candidates are currently under development for the prevention or treatment of cancer, infectious diseases and metabolic disorders by Vical and its collaborative partners, including Merck, Pfizer, Aventis Pasteur, Aventis Pharma, Centocor, Human Genome Sciences, Merial and Boston Scientific. Allovectin-7(R), which uses a lipid-DNA complex to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, is in Phase II and Phase III testing in certain patients with metastatic melanoma and in Phase II testing in patients with head and neck cancer. Leuvectin, which uses a lipid-DNA complex to stimulate an immune response against cancer cells, is in Phase II testing in patients with kidney cancer and prostate cancer. Vaxid, a naked DNA vaccine to prevent relapse of B-cell lymphoma, is in Phase I/II testing. In collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, a naked DNA vaccine to treat metastatic melanoma is in Phase I/II testing.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including whether any product candidates will be shown to be safe and efficacious in clinical trials, the timing of clinical trials, whether Vical or Aventis will seek or gain approval to market any product candidates, and additional risks set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
For news releases and other information about the company, visit the Vical Web site at www.vical.com.
CONTACT:
Vical Inc.
Alan R. Engbring, 858/646-1127 |
