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To: scaram(o)uche who wrote (2138)	6/9/2003 6:50:01 AM
From: nigel bates	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 7143

Dynavax Announces Identification of Novel CpG Class of Immunoregulatory Agents, Reported in Journal of Leukocyte Biology Monday June 9, 6:30 am ET BERKELEY, Calif., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynavax Technologies today announced the publication of a scientific article describing the identification of a novel CpG class of immunoregulatory oligonucleotides -- short DNA sequences that enhance or redirect the immune response to treat disease and prevent inflammation. Designated the "CpG-C" class, this new and potent family of molecules is described in a paper authored by Dynavax researchers and published in the June 2003 edition of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. Prior to this report, two classes of CpG-containing oligonucleotides have been recognized, termed CpG-A and CpG-B. Dynavax is currently conducting human clinical trials in allergy, asthma, cancer, and infectious disease with 1018 ISS, a prototype of the CpG-B class, which has proven able to enhance or redirect immune responses to a variety of antigens, allergens, and pathogens. Oligonucleotides of the CpG-A class, in contrast, stimulate higher levels of interferon-alpha, but do not activate antigen-presenting cells efficiently. The new CpG-C class combines these two important biological activities -- enhanced antigen presentation and strong interferon-alpha responses. CpG-C oligonucleotides are distinguished structurally from other classes by having long palindromic sequences, 5'-TCG motifs, and phosphorothioate linkages in the nucleotide backbone. The new CpG-C sequences, for which Dynavax has filed U.S. and international patent applications, are currently being evaluated at Dynavax for potential clinical activity. "The identification of this new class of CpG molecules is an example of Dynavax's ongoing efforts to advance the science of immune system regulation," said Dino Dina, M.D., Dynavax's president and chief executive officer. "We expect further developments to arise from these efforts that will provide greater potency and efficacy in the clinic against a range of important human diseases." Dynavax first publicly presented data on the new CpG-C class at a conference sponsored by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in April 2002. The article announced today in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology is entitled "Identification of a novel CpG DNA class and motif that optimally stimulate B cell and plasmacytoid dendritic cell functions" and is authored by Jason Marshall and colleagues at Dynavax. It was published online on May 22, 2003. A link to the paper is available on Dynavax's website. About Dynavax Dynavax Technologies is a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing innovative products to treat allergy, inflammation-mediated diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer. The company's lead products are based on ImmunoStimulatory Sequences (ISS), short DNA sequences that enhance the ability of the immune system to fight disease and prevent inflammation. Dynavax's two most advanced products include an ISS-based next-generation vaccine for the prevention of hepatitis B, currently in pivotal Phase II clinical trials, and AIC, now in late Phase II clinical testing for the treatment of ragweed allergy. Dynavax also has an oral TNF-alpha synthesis inhibitor in preclinical development for rheumatoid arthritis. A company profile is available at the Dynavax website, www.dynavax.com.