Still eyeing GNVC, which isn't moving on this news yet.
>>GAITHERSBURG, Md. and PALO ALTO, Calif., June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- GenVec, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNVC - news), and the Biosynergy business unit of Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: VAR - news), announced today they have extended a collaborative agreement combining advances in new gene therapy products with targeted radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. A Phase Ib clinical trial of the combined treatment modalities was initiated in February of this year after promising preclinical results were achieved.
``GenVec is pleased to continue our relationship with Varian Biosynergy,'' said Henrik Rasmussen, M.D., Ph.D., GenVec's Vice President, Clinical Research & Regulatory Affairs. ``The joint expertise of GenVec and Varian Biosynergy will positively influence the continued clinical investigation of one of GenVec's lead product candidates, TNFerade(TM), in combination with radiation therapy, for the treatment of cancer.''
``Our collaboration provides an excellent opportunity for leaders in their respective industries to provide each other with access to state-of-the-art technology and expertise to improve the treatment of cancer,'' said Robert Sutherland, Ph.D., President of Varian Biosynergy. ``The Biosynergy business unit was established to fulfill Varian Medical Systems' commitment to capitalize on combining radiation with the latest advances in molecular medicine, such as the work being done by GenVec in advancing the clinical development of TNFerade(TM) and converting genomics discoveries into new product opportunities.''
``Varian and GenVec designed the collaboration to enhance the potential of both companies to develop new and improved commercial applications of their proprietary technologies,'' said Tom Smart, GenVec's Senior Vice President, Corporate Development. ``Under the agreement, which began in 1998, Varian will have primary responsibility for the development of equipment and software for delivery of targeted radiation therapy, while GenVec will have primary responsibility for developing gene therapy products. Our collective goal is to create better treatment options for cancer patients.''
GenVec has commenced a Phase Ib clinical trial with its TNFerade(TM) gene therapy product with targeted radiation therapy in patients who have failed standard treatment. In this trial, TNFerade(TM) is injected directly into the tumor and combined with radiation therapy. TNFerade(TM) incorporates a proprietary adenovector carrying the gene coding for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), a therapeutic protein with a well-documented ability to destroy cancer cells and cut off the blood supply needed to support tumor growth. GenVec designed TNFerade(TM) to be triggered by targeted radiation for maximum gene expression at the tumor site in order to enhance the local therapeutic effect of TNF alpha. This proprietary technology maximizes the production of TNF alpha in the presence of radiation with minimal involvement in surrounding healthy tissue.
GenVec believes that TNFerade(TM) is the first gene therapy product using radiation-regulated gene expression to enter the clinic.
The trial, which will involve approximately 30 patients with a variety of cancers, follows successful preclinical tests with human tumor models, which showed ``significantly higher tumor control rates'' for cancers of the larynx, prostate, brain, and esophagus. ``In all preclinical cases with the combined therapy, we saw either synergy or at least additive effects,'' said Dr. Rasmussen.
The trial is being conducted at several cancer centers across the country and is expected to be complete by the end of this year with results targeted for publication in Spring 2002.<<
snip
Cheers, Tuck |
