A long time ago someone asked about low priced Bio techs.
Here is some news on one that I have followed for awhile.
TGEN.
I do not own any shares of this stock so I cannot be accused of hyping a stock.
biz.yahoo.com
SOURCE: Targeted Genetics Corporation
New Data Support Utility of AAV Vectors in AIDS Vaccine Development
KEYSTONE, Colo., April 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Promising data from preclinical studies utilizing an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector for a novel AIDS vaccine candidate were presented earlier this week by Philip Johnson, MD, President of Columbus Children's Research Institute on the campus of Columbus Children's Hospital and an academic collaborator of Targeted Genetics Corporation (Nasdaq: TGEN - news). The data were presented at this year's Keystone conference entitled, ``HIV-1 Protection and Control by Vaccination.''
Dr. Johnson presented data from studies in which an AAV vector was used to deliver to mouse muscle a gene encoding a human antibody (IgG1b12) that previously has been shown to prevent infection by HIV. Following a single injection of rAAV/IgG1b12, mice were analyzed over a period of six months to assess gene transfer, gene expression and the ability to block HIV-1 infection. The antibody was detected at six weeks in all mice. The highest concentrations were observed three months after injection and were then sustained over the next three months. To detect the antibody's ability to prevent infection by HIV-1, serum samples were drawn and tested for their ability to block infection in cell culture. 90 percent of these samples possessed detectable neutralization, or blocking, activity. Additionally, no adverse events attributable to the injection procedure were seen in animals. This research was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
``We are quite pleased with these data supporting antibody gene transfer for the purposes of HIV neutralizing activity. While we have seen meaningful data from several approaches to an AIDS vaccine, we continue to evaluate additional methods to broadly and persistently neutralize the primary isolates of HIV,'' said Dr. Johnson. ``There is a growing body of data to support the use of AAV vectors in the prevention of HIV. There are clinical examples of patients who appear to be naturally immune to HIV due to the presence of antibodies that bind to HIV and prevent the virus from infecting cells. The data presented earlier this week indicate that AAV vectors can potentially be used to deliver genes that encode such antibodies, and that these genes can efficiently be expressed, resulting in protective immunity. A variety of monoclonal antibodies are now used routinely to treat numerous diseases, and we are excited about the prospect of delivering genes encoding antibodies to either treat or prevent disease.''
Targeted Genetics, Dr. Johnson and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) are collaborating on the development of an AAV-based vaccine that would protect against infection by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The current focus of the collaboration is the delivery of genes encoding proteins from the HIV genome, with the goal of eliciting protective immunity to the virus. Studies conducted to date in animal models of HIV infection have demonstrated that delivery of such genes with an AAV vector leads to strong antibody and T-cell responses against HIV and results in decreased viral load when vaccinated animals are challenged with virulent HIV. The studies presented earlier this week, while not a subject of the collaboration, provide additional support for the potential utility of AAV-based gene delivery in the area of prophylactic vaccines and for the use of gene delivery as an alternative approach to protein delivery.
Dr. Johnson is a leading innovator in AAV vector development and in the application of AAV vectors to the development of prophylactic vaccines. He is the author of patents and patent applications related to the use of AAV vectors for vaccine applications and AAV vector manufacturing.
``We are encouraged by data that continue to support the potential utility of AAV for development of AIDS vaccines,'' said Dr. Barrie Carter, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Targeted Genetics Corporation. ``We have seen consistent research results supporting AAV as the vector of choice for gene delivery when long-term expression is desired. The stability of AAV vectors and the ability to manufacture large-scale quantities of these vectors efficiently are additional factors that make an AAV-based AIDS vaccine a promising approach to addressing the global HIV crisis. We intend to file an IND for our current AIDS vaccine program in 2003.''
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 pipeline of product candidates focused on hemophilia, arthritis, cancer, lysosomal storage diseases and AIDS prophylaxis. The Company has a broad platform of gene delivery technologies and, through its majority-owned subsidiary, CellExSys, 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 |
