regarding Allovectin-7 and Oncept melanoma vax.
Fri, May 14, 2010 12:46:10 PMRE: question
From: Alan Engbring <AEngbring@vical.com>Add to Contacts
To: xxxx
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Dear Ms. J,
In response to your voice mail, the similarities between Merial's Oncept(tm) melanoma vaccine for dogs and Vical's Allovectin-7(r) immunotherapy for melanoma in humans relates to the underlying technology, the therapeutic approach, and of course the disease target. But these products were developed independently along parallel tracks by different groups of researchers in different companies, and the success or failure of one does not have any direct impact on the other.
Both products are based on Vical's patented DNA delivery technology, which is fundamentally defined as injecting DNA into a living animal or human. The specific DNA in each product is different, the formulations are different, and the sites of administration are different.
Both products trigger an immune response against cancer. But Oncept(tm) uses a xenogeneic (from a different species) approach while Allovectin-7(r) uses an allogeneic (different subtype from the same species) approach.
Oncept(tm) is injected into muscle tissue using a transdermal jet injection device. Allovectin-7(r) is injected into a tumor lesion using a conventional needle and syringe.
We are excited with the approval of Oncept(tm) because it further validates our core DNA delivery technology, and because the fact that one melanoma immunotherapy product met the safety and efficacy approval standards improves the probability for success with another melanoma immunotherapy product.
Regards,
Alan Engbring
Executive Director, Inves |
