This is probably why Agouron and Vertex dropped at the end of the day, and Cell Gene spiked up. Note that CEO Stephen Sherwin, sees this T Cell Gene Therapy as "an important addition to AIDS drug therapy" "to potentially complement AIDS Drugs"
and not to replace them.
Phase II Trials are being conducted in combination with anitviral drugs to determine whether the two types of therapy could be complementary.
The October 97 issue of PNAS reported pre-clinical studies showing that T-cells can be programmed to target the immune cells in the reservoirs that are not eliminated by even the best antiviral therapy.
Monday November 17, 3:53 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Cell Genesys, Inc.
Cell Genesys Receives Basic Patent for T Cell Gene Therapy
New Technology for AIDS Gene Therapy
FOSTER CITY, Calif., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Cell Genesys, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEGE - news) announced today that a patent from a series of applications covering T cell gene therapy technology has been issued to Cell Genesys by the United States Patent Office. The patent 5,686,281 covers T cell receptor technologies which could potentially heighten a disease-specific immune response by enhancing T cell killing and proliferation and by ensuring normal T cell function and survival. In addition, the company has recently received a notice of allowance for related composition of matter claims. Cell Genesys is currently testing T cell gene therapies in patients with AIDS and cancer.
''Cell Genesys is pleased to have been issued this new patent which strengthens the proprietary position of our ongoing programs in T cell gene therapy of AIDS and cancer,'' stated Stephen A. Sherwin, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Cell Genesys. ''We have recently reported preclinical studies in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrating that our genetically modified T cells can target and kill HIV-infected cells. Since recent reports indicate that such HIV-infected cells persist even after several years of antiviral drugs, T cell gene therapy may be an important addition to AIDS drug therapy.''
Enhanced T Cell Gene Therapy Technology
Cell Genesys' T cell gene therapy utilizes genetically modified T cells armed with a disease-specific receptor which enable the T cells to specifically recognize and destroy malignant or virally infected cells. The newly issued patent covers modifications in disease-specific receptors that could enhance the activation and survival of T cells. These modifications include the use of co-stimulatory molecules referred to as CD28 or CD2 that can additionally activate T cells by what are referred to as ''second signal'' pathways which may be important in the naturally occurring process of T cell activation. Preclinical studies conducted by a team of Cell Genesys scientists, led by Margo R. Roberts, Ph.D., have demonstrated that the use of co-stimulatory molecules may enhance the ability of gene-modified T cells to target and kill HIV-infected cells.
T Cell Gene Therapy Potentially Complements AIDS Drugs
Two recently published studies in the journal, Science, confirmed that latent virus was found to be present in immune cells of HIV patients who have been on antiviral drug therapy for at least 30 months. This suggests that the drugs are not able to eradicate HIV from infected cells which then become ''reservoirs'' of infection. In preclinical studies, Cell Genesys' genetically modified T cells have been shown to kill HIV-infected immune cells. The company is currently conducting Phase II trials testing T cell gene therapy for AIDS in combination with antiviral drugs to determine whether the two types of therapy could be complementary. Preliminary data from these trials could be available in the first half of 1998.
''We have been hopeful that HIV infection might be eradicated from patients who maintain antiviral drug therapy for an extended period, but this apparently is not occurring within the first three years, according to the recent reports in the journal, Science,'' stated Steven G. Deeks, M.D., assistant clinical professor, University of California San Francisco. ''Antiviral drugs have lengthened the lives of many HIV patients by keeping the virus suppressed, but it is obvious that we need to continue to seek more effective and potentially complementary therapies to truly eradicate HIV in an infected person.''
Cell Genesys scientists reported in an October 1997 issue of the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, preclinical studies demonstrating that T cells can be genetically ''programmed'' to target and kill HIV-infected cells, including T cells and macrophages. These immune cells are reservoirs for HIV infection and are not eliminated by even the best available antiviral drugs. Additionally, the genetically programmed T cells are able to recognize and destroy HIV-infected cells as early as naturally occurring HIV-specific T cells are, and thereby inhibit viral replication. The T cells are also able to recognize mutated strains of the virus, which naturally occurring HIV-specific T cells may not be able to do.
Company Profile
Cell Genesys is focused on the development and commercialization of ex vivo and in vivo gene therapies to treat major, life-threatening diseases and disorders such as cancer and AIDS. The company's AIDS gene therapy is in Phase II human clinical testing in collaboration with Hoechst Marion Roussel, and the company has also recently initiated human clinical trials for its T cell gene therapy in colon cancer and for its GVAX(TM) cancer vaccine in lung, melanoma and prostate cancer. The company is conducting preclinical studies in other cancer indications, hemophilia, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders. Cell Genesys' assets outside gene therapy include its Abgenix, Inc. subsidiary, which is developing antibody therapies for transplantation-associated medical conditions, inflammation, autoimmune disorders and cancer, as well as the company's licensing program in gene activation technology.
Statements made in this press release about the company's and its subsidiary's product development activities, clinical trials, product pipelines and patent portfolio, other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking statements and are subject to a number of uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including risks associated with the success of clinical trials, research and product development programs, the regulatory approval process, and competitive products and the extent and breadth of the company's patent portfolio. See the company's Form 10-K/A dated April 30, 1997 for information about risks associated with clinical trials and product development programs and other risks which may affect the company.
SOURCE: Cell Genesys, Inc. |
