Targeted Genetics Corporation Announces the Issuance of Broad Patent for Use of E1A Gene Therapy in Combination with Chemotherapy and/or Radiation
Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers
SEATTLE--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 8, 2000--Targeted Genetics Corporation
(Nasdaq:TGEN) today announced the issuance of a broad patent, U.S. No.
6,100,243, covering the use of E1A, a tumor inhibitor gene, in combination
with chemotherapeutic agents and/or radiation therapy. The patent, titled
"Method of sensitizing tumor cells with adenovirus E1A," was issued to the
Burnham Institute in La Jolla, Calif., and is licensed exclusively to Targeted
Genetics. It covers the use of the E1A gene in combination with any type of
chemotherapy or any form of radiation therapy. Targeted Genetics initiated a
Phase I study of E1A in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of
ovarian cancer in December 1999 and intends to initiate a Phase II study of
E1A in combination with radiation for the treatment of head and neck cancer in
2000.
"The issuance of this broad patent covering the use of E1A in combination
with chemotherapy and radiation solidifies our patent position for the use of
E1A in a wide variety of cancers," said H. Stewart Parker, president and chief
executive officer of Targeted Genetics. "Since our acquisition of RGene
Therapeutics in 1996 we have moved E1A rapidly from the bench-top into
Phase II clinical trials for head and neck cancer and Phase I clinical trials for
ovarian cancer. We are optimistic about the prospects for E1A in a wide
variety of cancers. Our ongoing preclinical studies of E1A in combination with
chemotherapy are quite promising and we intend to move aggressively to
expand the potential indications for our E1A products." A Phase II study of
tgDCC-E1A in combination with radiation therapy for the treatment of head and
neck cancer is anticipated to commence by year end.
E1A is a tumor inhibitor gene. Previous laboratory and animal studies have
demonstrated E1A's ability to suppress tumor metastases, increase
sensitization to chemotherapeutic agents and to radiation, induce apoptosis
(programmed cell death) and reverse malignant properties, including the
over-expression of HER-2/neu. In patients with cancer, over-expression of the
HER-2/neu oncogene is correlated with poor prognosis, increased tumor
formation and metastasis and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents.
Targeted Genetics is developing two formulations of E1A. tgDCC-E1A, which
is suitable for local or intracavitary administration, is in clinical trials.
tgLPD-E1A, which is being developed for systemic delivery for the treatment of
metastatic cancer, is anticipated to enter clinical development in 2001. "The
LPD formulation may enable systemic delivery of tumor inhibitory genes, such
as E1A," said Dr. Pervin Anklesaria, senior director, Research at Targeted
Genetics. "The E1A gene and the LPD delivery system collectively represent
a new class of anti-cancer agents in the field of cancer gene therapy.
Preclinical data have validated the use of tgLPD-E1A in combination with
chemotherapy."
Targeted Genetics Corporation develops gene therapy products for the
treatment of acquired and inherited diseases. The company has lead clinical
product development programs targeting cystic fibrosis and cancer, and a
promising preclinical pipeline of product candidates focused on hemophilia A,
arthritis, cancer and AIDS prophylaxis. The company has a broad platform of
gene delivery technologies, as well as a promising body of technology for
cellular therapy. For more information about Targeted Genetics Corporation
please visit the Company's web site at targetedgenetics.com.
NOTE: This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected. The words "believes," "expects," "intends,"
"anticipates," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but
their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. These
statements are not guarantees of future performance. A number of factors
could affect the Company's actual results including the risk factors described
in the Company's latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on
May 15, 2000 for a more detailed description of such factors. You should not
place an undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to
update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information,
events or circumstances after the date of this release. |
