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Press Release
Source: Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
New Introgen Product Candidate INGN 007
Presented at American Society of Gene Therapy
Meeting
Monday June 9, 1:00 pm ET
Potent Anti-Cancer Activity Demonstrated in Preclinical Studies
AUSTIN, Texas, June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New adenoviral technology
exclusively licensed by Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: INGN - News) from
VirRx, Inc. has yielded a promising anti-cancer product candidate, according to
research presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Gene Therapy.
The new product, INGN 007 (VRX-007), over-expresses a gene that allows the vector
to saturate the entire tumor and to eradicate cancer in animal models. Introgen's
collaborator, Dr. William S.M. Wold, founder and CEO of VirRx and chairman of the
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at St. Louis University
School of Medicine presented the data during the recently concluded meeting.
Dr. Wold said, "The dramatic
activity of these oncolytic
viruses in accepted animal
tumor models is very
encouraging and we look
forward to moving this
approach as rapidly as
possible into the clinic."
VirRx has developed a series
of replication competent
adenovirus vectors that
over-express an adenoviral
gene (ADP gene) that causes
rapid disruption (oncolysis) of
tumor cells in which it
replicates. The ability to
overexpress the ADP gene
sets this technology apart from other existing oncolytic viruses and is shown in these
studies to provide a powerful antitumor effect. Introgen holds an exclusive license to
this technology from VirRx. Most of these vectors have been genetically engineered
to incorporate certain genetic features that restrict their replication competency to
selected types of cells, such as tumor cells. Additionally, some of these vectors
have been further modified with transgenes which specifically kill cancer cells. These
vectors have been extensively tested in cell and animal models and shown to be very
highly active in killing tumor cells.
"We and others have repeatedly demonstrated that adenovirus based agents can be
safely administered in the clinic and have therapeutic activity," said James A. Merritt,
M.D., Introgen's chief medical officer. "Dr. Wold's new adenovirus concepts are very
exciting and have the potential for significantly enhanced activity."
Introgen is a leading developer of biopharmaceutical products designed to induce
therapeutic protein expression using non-integrating gene agents for the treatment of
cancer and other diseases. Introgen maintains integrated research, development,
manufacturing, clinical and regulatory departments and operates a commercial-scale,
CGMP manufacturing facility.
Certain statements in this press release that are not strictly historical may be
"forward-looking" statements, which are based on current expectations and entail
various risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, those relating to Introgen's future success with its clinical development
program for oncolytic viruses in the treatment of cancer or other diseases. There can
be no assurance that Introgen will be able to commercially develop gene-based
drugs, that necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained or that any clinical trials
or studies undertaken will be successful or that the proposed treatments will prove to
be safe and/or effective. The actual results may differ from those described in this
press release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in Introgen's operations and
business environment, including, but without limitation, Introgen's stage of product
development and the limited experience in the development of gene-based drugs in
general, Introgen's dependence upon proprietary technology and current competition,
history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, reliance on collaborative
relationships, and uncertainties related to clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of
Introgen's product candidates, the ability to obtain the appropriate regulatory
approvals, patent protection and market acceptance, as well as other risks detailed
from time to time in Introgen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2003 and
its quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2003. Introgen
undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to any
forward-looking statements that reflect events or circumstances arising after the date
hereof.
Editor's Note: For more information on Introgen Therapeutics, or for a menu of
archived press releases, please visit Introgen's Website at: www.introgen.com .
Contact:
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
C. Channing Burke
(512) 708 9310 Ext. 322
Email: c.burke@introgen.com
Source: Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. |
