Texas Biomedical Investment Conference to be Held in Houston
February 18-19
Meeting Will Feature 12 of the Region's Leading Biomedical Companies, Speakers From the
Texas Heart Institute and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
HOUSTON--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 15, 1997-- Twelve leading Texas-based biomedical companies will host an
invitation-only conference for analysts and institutional investors, Feb. 18-19, 1998, at the Wyndham Warwick Hotel in
Houston.
The presenting companies will highlight novel biopharmaceutical products and treatments. They will also demonstrate how
they are addressing major medical needs that may provide new and improved patient care. Although cities on the east and
west coasts have the largest number of biomedical companies, the Southwest region contains a growing number of
companies. Texas is among the top dozen regions in the country with a community of life science companies.
Several leaders from the Texas Heart Institute, Texas Medical Center will conduct a panel discussion on current and
anticipated patient care, and how their research is helping to find solutions to cardiovascular challenges we face today.
The two-day event also will include a visit to The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. John Mendelsohn,
the center's president, and several of his colleagues will address conference participants on new molecular targets for the
diagnosis and treatment of cancer and how their efforts are Making Cancer History(TM).
There will also be a media breakfast on Feb. 18 at the Wyndham Warwick Hotel featuring prominent individuals in the
biomedical industry.
The companies hosting the event include:
Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAR - news), based in Amarillo, Texas, is developing oral and topical interferons
as treatments for a variety of diseases, including Sjorgren's syndrome, fibromyalgia, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and several skin
diseases. A low dose oral interferon alpha is in Phase III testing for Sjorgren's syndrome.
Aronex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ/NNM:ARNX - news) is an emerging biopharmaceutical company developing
innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer and life-threatening infectious diseases. Located in the The Woodlands, the
company has four products in ongoing clinical development: Nyotran(TM) an antifungal agent, Atragen(TM) for acute
promyelocytic leukemia, Annamycin for the treatment of cancer and Zintevir(TM) for HIV.
BioNumerik Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private company headquartered in San Antonio, is using an innovative, proprietary
technology platform for the discovery and clinical development of new small molecule based pharmaceuticals to treat cancer.
BioNumerik's ''mechanism based approach'' to drug discovery integrates medicine, quantum physics, synthetic chemistry,
pharmaceutical sciences and supercomputing. Complex proprietary pharmaceutical software is used to simulate molecular
interactions and drug transformations in the body. BioNumerik has two compounds in Phase I clinical trials and a third
compound in late preclinical development.
GeneMedicine, Inc. (NASDAQ:GMED - news) is developing a new class of pharmaceutical products that incorporate
genes. These gene medicines are designed for direct administration to patients to cause the production and distribution of
therapeutic proteins within the body. GeneMedicine's in vivo technology enables genes to be used in conventional medicine.
Located in The Woodlands, the company has several gene medicines in development, including an AAT gene medicine for
production of AAT within the lung; cancer gene medicines for head and neck cancer; a gene medicine which expresses IF-1
protein for focal muscle atrophy indications; and, in partnership with Roche Bioscience, gene medicines for asthma.
ILEX Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILXO - news), located in San Antonio, is a drug development company focused
exclusively on the development of drugs for the treatment and prevention of cancer. ILEX provides pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies with compounds for their pipelines, as well as drug development and manufacturing services, on a
contract basis. ILEX has developed compounds to treat cancer and a second line treatment for AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma. The company has development and marketing collaborations with Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Sanofi, Janssen
Pharmaceutica and MGI Pharma.
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held company based in Austin, is developing gene therapy products to treat cancer in
vivo. The company has two products in clinical trials that target cancers linked to two genes, the p53 tumor suppresser gene
and the K-ras oncogene. Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals is funding worldwide research and development of these
products under two collaborative agreements with Introgen. Introgen's core technologies were developed at the University of
Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Lexicon Genetics Inc. is a private genomics pharmaceutical company using high-throughput gene targeting to define gene
function on a commercial scale. Lexicon is developing two areas of genomics: defining gene function and identifying drug
targets. The Woodlands-based company has created OmniBank, a library of thousands of mouse embryonic stem cell clones
that are catalogued by the DNA sequence of the single gene mutated in each clone. The company will use selected models to
create a new line of mutant mice specific to the genes of interest, thereby enabling researchers to determine the function of the
genes.
LifeCell Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFC - news) is a bioengineering company engaged in the development and
commercialization of tissue regeneration and cell preservation products. LifeCell's first commercial product, AlloDerm(R)
acellular dermal graft, is used in reconstructive plastic, dental and burn surgery. In addition to AlloDerm grafts, the company's
current tissue graft development plans include the LifeCell(R) heart valve (under exclusive agreement with Medtronic, Inc.
(NYSE:MDT - news)), and vascular grafts. LifeCell's product development programs also include ThromboSol(TM), a
formulation for extending the shelf life of transfusable platelets.
Tanox Biosystems, Inc. is a private biotechnology research and development company based in Houston. Tanox is
developing novel biopharmaceuticals for treatment of diseases involving or affecting the human immune system, such as
allergic diseases, HIV infection, inflammation and asthma, and certain cancers and chronic infections. The company has a
joint development agreement with Genentech, Inc. and Novartis Pharma A.G. for an anti-IgE antibody product, E25, for
treatment of allergic diseases. Pivotal trials are in progress for allergic rhinitis and Phase III trials in allergic asthma are
scheduled to begin early in 1998.
Texas Biotechnology Corp. (AMEX:TXB - news) is developing a new generation of therapeutics focused on preserving the
functional integrity of the vascular system. NOVASTAN(R) (argatroban), an injectable anticoagulant in co-development with
SmithKline Beecham has been submitted for approval to the FDA for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Texas
Biotechnology is also conducting Phase II studies of its endothelin-A receptor antagonist in congestive heart failure and its
selectin antagonist in asthma. The company is located adjacent to the Texas Medical Center in Houston.
ViroTex Corp. is a private company developing proprietary drug delivery systems that use the skin and mucosa as the
primary site of delivery. ViroTex has validated three novel drug delivery technologies, each of which has several existing of
potential product applications. The company's first product, Viractin(R) Cold Sore & Fever Blister Medicine, was launched
in 1996. A second product for treatment of canker sores is expected to be introduced in the first quarter of 1999. ViroTex is
a privately held Delaware corporation, based in The Woodlands.
Zonagen, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZONA; PCX:ZNG), located in The Woodlands, is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the
research, development and marketing of products for conditions and diseases associated with the human reproductive
system. Zonagen's lead product candidate, Vasomax(TM), is an oral pill treatment for male erectile dysfunction. The
company also is developing new approaches to contraception, including zona pellucida-based vaccines in collaboration with
Schering AG, treatments for urological diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, and an adjuvant to
enhance the effectiveness of vaccines. Zonagen markets and distributes a variety of third-party fertility-related products
through its wholly owned subsidiary, Fertility Technologies, Inc.
Management of the Texas investment conference is being provided by Russell-Welsh, Inc., a San Mateo-based
communications firm specializing in the lifesciences industry. |
