SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 6, 1998--Vical Inc. (NASDAQ:VICL)
announced today the issuance of U.S. Patent 5,703,055 covering
its method of vaccination through direct injection into any tissue of
DNA sequences (genes) combined with lipids (fatty substances).
Previously issued Vical patents cover its methods of vaccination
and protein delivery through direct injection of naked DNA into muscle
or skin. These novel methods of vaccination may provide the same
protective immunity as live viral vaccination, but with greater
safety, simpler manufacturing and handling, and broader protection
against changing viral strains.
Alain B. Schreiber, president and CEO of Vical, said, "Our current
license agreements with Merck, Pasteur Merieux Connaught, and
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer are based on our patents for delivering naked DNA
into muscle or skin. With the expansion of our patent estate into
lipid-mediated gene delivery to any tissue in the body, we now cover a
much broader range of applications."
Vical scientists and collaborators discovered techniques for
cells in the body to take up DNA and subsequently produce the protein
encoded by the DNA for extended periods of time. This new gene-based
technology offers a potentially superior method of delivering proteins
for vaccination or gene therapy. Vical filed a U.S. patent application
in 1989 concerning its gene delivery technology and described how it
could be utilized in the treatment and prevention of many diseases.
This patent application was subsequently divided into several
sub-applications each covering distinct uses of the technology,
including vaccination and the delivery of therapeutic proteins such as
hormones.
In December 1996, the company announced the issuance of the first
two patents from this series of applications, U.S. Patent 5,580,859,
covering naked DNA injection into muscle as a means of delivering
prophylactic or therapeutic proteins, and U.S. Patent 5,589,466, which
added coverage for naked DNA immunization into muscle or skin. U.S.
Patent 5,703,055 expands coverage to lipid-mediated DNA immunization
into any tissue in the body, which may be useful for cancer vaccines
or vaccines for infectious diseases that affect mucosal surfaces.
Vical's gene-based approach may offer safer and more
cost-effective alternatives for the prevention or treatment of many
diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases and metabolic
disorders. A number of therapeutic and vaccine applications of the
technology are currently under development by Vical and its
collaborative partners, including Merck, Pasteur Merieux Connaught,
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer and Genzyme. Allovectin-7, which uses a lipid-DNA
complex to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells,
is in Phase II testing in patients with melanoma and head and neck
cancer. Leuvectin, which uses a lipid-DNA complex to stimulate an
immune response against cancer cells, is in Phase I/II testing in
patients with melanoma, kidney cancer, sarcoma and prostate cancer.
Vaxid, a naked DNA vaccine to prevent recurrence of B-cell lymphoma,
is in Phase I/II testing.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking
statements, including whether any product candidates will be
discovered or, if discovered, whether any will be shown to be safe and
efficacious in clinical trials, and additional risks set forth in the
company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual
results may differ materially from those projected. These
forward-looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the
date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Vical Inc., San Diego
Alan R. Engbring 619/453-9900 (Investor Relations)
Robert H. Zaugg, 619/453-9900 (Business Development)
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY MEDICINE PHARMACEUTICAL
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
URL: businesswire.com
Copyright 1998, Business Wire |
