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VGX Pharmaceuticals
Announces Publication of Preclinical Efficacy Studies
for VGX-1027 for Various Inflammatory Diseases
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Bell, PA – May 8, 2007 – |
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VGX Pharmaceuticals announced today the publication
of preclinical animal efficacy studies for VGX-1027, the company’s
lead drug candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and type 1 diabetes (T1D). As demonstrated in
the new paper, VGX-1027 is a novel orally-active, small-molecule compound
with broad anti-inflammatory properties.
A research report entitled, “In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo immunopharmacological
activities of the isoxazoline compound VGX-1027: Modulation of cytokine
synthesis and prevention of both organ-specific and systemic autoimmune
diseases in murine models,”
was published in the online edition of Clinical Immunology (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/15216616)
and the print edition should be available in several weeks. Clinical Immunology
is the official journal of the Clinical Immunology Society. The project
was led by Professor Ferdinando Nicoletti of the University of Catania.
The co-authors of the paper included VGX Co-founder Dr. J. Joseph Kim.
VGX-1027 is an immune modulator that inhibits production of several pro-inflammatory
cytokines that are responsible for the damaging effects of inflammatory
diseases. Pre-clinical studies in this paper further show that VGX-1027
is effective in inhibiting these cytokines by blocking NF-_B and transiently
inhibiting the p38 signaling pathway, while JNK and AP-1 pathways are
unaffected.
“We are pleased to report on the impressive therapeutic activity
of VGX-1027 in several preclinical animal models,” said J. Joseph
Kim, Ph.D., President and CEO of VGX Pharmaceuticals. “We look forward
to moving VGX-1027 into clinical testing as soon as possible.”
VGX Pharmaceuticals is developing VGX-1027 as an oral therapeutic for
RA. VGX Pharmaceuticals is co-developing VGX-1027 for T1D with its affiliate
VGX International. The Investigational New Drug Application (IND)-enabling
toxicity studies for VGX-1027 are currently on-going and the IND is planned
to be filed in 2H 2007.
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Factors That May Affect Future Results - Materials in this
Web site contain information that includes or is based upon forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or
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They use words such as "anticipate," "estimate,"
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or future operating or financial performance. In particular, these
include statements relating to future actions, prospective products
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such as legal proceedings, and financial results. Any or all of our
forward-looking statements here or in other publications may turn
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by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will
be important in determining our actual future results. Consequently,
no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and forward-looking
statements may be adversely affected by factors, including general
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regulations and legislation, manufacturing issues, timing of the elimination
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Our actual results may vary materially, and there are no guarantees
about the performance or valuation of VGX stock. It is also important
to read the disclosure notice contained in many of the individual
VGX documents available on this Web site as many contain important
information on such cautionary factors as of the date of the individual
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statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures
we make on related subjects in our reports. |
About VGX
Pharmaceuticals
VGX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company with small molecules
and biologics product candidates for the treatment of infectious diseases,
cancer and inflammatory diseases. The Company’s clinical development
programs include PICTOVIR™ for HIV infection and VGX-410C for chronic
HCV infection, both of which are currently in Phase II clinical trials.
In addition, Phase I clinical trials will be initiated in 2007 for VGX-150
for the treatment of Melanoma and VGX-1027 for inflammatory diseases. VGX’s
research pipelines include new generation of DNA vaccines and therapeutics
as well as CELLECTRA™, a proprietary DNA delivery device. The product
candidates and technology programs are protected by the Company’s
extensive global intellectual property portfolio. More information about
VGX can be found at www.vgxp.com.
Company Contact:
Kevin W. Rassas
Senior Vice President
Tel. 267.440.4208
Fax 267.440.4242
E-mail: Rassas@vgxp.com
www.vgxp.com
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