Sangamo BioSciences Updates Investors on Status of Latest Developments in ZFP Therapeutics Programs
Tuesday September 14, 8:03 am ET
Details of Programs in Diabetic Neuropathy and HIV Announced
RICHMOND, Calif., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sangamo BioSciences (Nasdaq: SGMO - News) will provide an update today to investors on the status of the latest developments in several of its ZFP Therapeutics programs. Scientists from the Company will provide details on programs focused on diabetic neuropathy (DN) and a new initiative for HIV therapy. Sangamo's proprietary technology is based on the engineering of a naturally occurring class of DNA binding proteins, zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFPs). ZFPs can be engineered to create ZFP transcription factors (ZFP TFs) for therapeutic gene regulation and ZFP Nucleases (ZFNs) for targeted gene modification.
ADVERTISEMENTZFP Therapeutic for Diabetic Neuropathy
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to protect nerve cells and promote their growth. Sangamo has shown that a ZFP Therapeutic, SB 509, activates VEGF expression in cells and is applying this approach to the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Cellular studies have demonstrated that SB 509 protects neuronal cells and in a rat model of diabetic neuropathy, a single treatment of this ZFP Therapeutic significantly improved both sensory and motor nerve conduction.
"We are on track to file an IND for SB 509 for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy before the end of this year," stated Edward Lanphier, Sangamo's president and CEO. "The Phase I/II trial is expected to enroll 25 patients and will evaluate the safety of SB 509 as well as the clinical effect on symptoms of peripheral neuropathy."
ZFP Therapeutic for HIV
In rare cases there are individuals who have been exposed multiple times to HIV-1, but who remain unaffected. These individuals appear to have inherited a shortened version of the gene for the CCR5 protein, which normally functions as the entry point for HIV into blood cells. The mutation in this gene results in a non-functional form of the CCR5 protein and makes individuals resistant to HIV infection.
Sangamo is using its ZFP technology to recreate this mutation in cells of the immune system in an attempt to protect cells against HIV infection. Key target cells for HIV, such as macrophages, dendritic cells and T-cells, can be targeted by Sangamo's approach which is designed to provide a reservoir of immune cells that can fight the opportunistic infections that are characteristic and often fatal in AIDS.
"This program demonstrates the versatility and breadth of our ZFP technology," said Dr. Dale Ando, Sangamo's vice president of therapeutic development and chief medical officer. "We believe that our approach is a fundamentally new strategy to address the pathology of HIV and AIDS and I look forward to leading our efforts to develop this application of our ZFN technology as a treatment for this terrible disease."
To access the webcast of the briefing, visit the Investor Relations section of the Sangamo website (www.sangamo.com) at phx.corporate-ir.net . A replay of the webcast will be available online until September 28, 2004. |
