Single Administration of GenVec's Vaccine Provides Protective Immunity Against
HSV in Pre-clinical Animal Models
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- GenVec, Inc. (GNVC)
announced today that data were presented on its HSV vaccine program at the
Keystone Symposia meeting on Immunological Mechanisms of Vaccination, which is
taking place in Ottawa, Ontario from December 13 to December 18, 2012.
The company disclosed that a single administration of its genetic vaccine was
effective against HSV2 in two industry-accepted HSV disease models. Specifically,
immunization was shown to reduce viral shedding, and the recurrence and severity
of lesions.
GenVec's HSV vaccine candidate generated effective immune responses in animal
models; and is composed of two novel antigens, as well as a proprietary,
non-human adenoviral vector.
"We have substantial evidence that HSV infection can be controlled by inducing an
appropriate T-cell response," said Dr. Lisa Wei, Senior Director of Research and
head of GenVec's HSV program. "The data presented at this symposium demonstrate
the progress we are making towards the goal of creating a vaccine for treatment
and potentially prophylaxis of HSV infection."
Research reported in this release was supported by the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under grant
number 5R43AIO77147-02. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors
and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes
of Health.
About Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
In the United States, approximately 40 million people are currently infected with
HSV2, which is responsible for most cases of genital herpes, and 1.6 million new
infections occur each year. About 25% of those infected with the virus suffer
clinical symptoms. Even higher infection rates are evident in developing
countries. HSV2 infection is associated with increased HIV infection and
transmission; and further complications of HSV are also often seen in those
co-infected with HIV. HSV infections are permanent, and result in periodic virus
shedding. Although antiviral regimens have become a standard of care, their
inconvenience, cumulative cost and potential for drug resistance further
underscore the need for safe, new approaches to reduce HSV lesions, virus
shedding, and transmission. Estimated costs of treating HSV in the United States
alone are close to $1 billion, primarily for drugs and outpatient medical care.
There is no FDA-approved vaccine for HSV.
About GenVec
GenVec is a biopharmaceutical company using differentiated, proprietary
technologies to create superior therapeutics and vaccines. A key component of our
strategy is to develop and commercialize our product candidates through
collaborations. GenVec is working with leading companies and organizations such
as Novartis, Merial, and the U.S. Government to support a portfolio of product
programs that address the prevention and treatment of a number of significant
human and animal health concerns. GenVec's development programs address
therapeutic areas such as hearing loss and balance disorders; as well as vaccines
against infectious diseases including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), herpes
simplex virus (HSV), dengue fever, malaria, and human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV). In the area of animal health we are developing vaccines against
foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Additional information about GenVec is available at
genvec.com and in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Statements herein relating to future financial or business performance,
conditions or strategies and other financial and business matters, including
expectations regarding funding, grants, collaborations, revenues, cash burn
rates, the development of products and the success of the Company's
collaborations, including with Novartis and Merial, are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.
GenVec cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous
assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Factors that may
cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the
forward-looking statements or historical experience include risks and
uncertainties, including the failure by GenVec to secure and maintain
relationships with collaborators; risks relating to the early stage of GenVec's
product candidates under development; uncertainties relating to research and
development activities; risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of
GenVec's proposed product candidates; dependence on the efforts of collaborators
and third parties; dependence on intellectual property; currently unanticipated
expenses, and risks that we may lack the financial resources and access to
capital to fund our operations. Further information on the factors and risks that
could affect GenVec's business, financial conditions and results of operations,
are contained in GenVec's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), which are available at sec.gov. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and
GenVec assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements.
Retail Investor and Media Contact Institutional Investor Contact
GenVec, Inc.S.A. Noonan Communications
Douglas J. SwirskySusan A. Noonan
(240) 632-5510(212) 966-3650
dswirsky@genvec.comsusan@sanoonan.com |
