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| VGX
Pharmaceuticals Announces a New Site Opening for Phase II Clinical
Trials of VGX–410C for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis
C Infection
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| Blue
Bell, PA – May 15, 2006 – |
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VGX Pharmaceuticals announced today that the Company
has opened an additional site at St. Louis University in Missouri for
the Phase II clinical trials of VGX-410C for the treatment of chronic
hepatitis C infection. The Company had initiated this Phase II clinical
trial for VGX-410C in the fourth quarter of 2005 at the Hospital of University
of Pennsylvania as the initial site and currently is in progress.
Dr. Bruce Bacon, a Director at the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
at St. Louis University, will lead the studies as a Principal Investigator.
This clinical trials site has access to over 2000 hepatitis C infected
patients and has participated in multiple investigational drug studies
for hepatitis C. They plan to enroll up to 25 patients in this Phase II
studies. The Company expects to finish the studies by the fourth quarter
of 2006.
VGX-410C is an investigational drug for treatment of chronic hepatitis
C infection. VGX-410C represents the first drug in a novel class of HCV
IRES inhibitors under development. It is an orally active, small-molecule
drug that provides once a day convenience. VGX-410C prevents HCV replication
by suppressing HCV translation, ultimately blocking the HCV replication
process. As all the genotypes of HCV use the same pathway, this drug target
should be effective for all HCV genotypes. Currently approved drugs are
effective only in about 30% to 50% of patients with chronic hepatitis
C infection in the United States. Additionally, those approved drugs are
toxic in many patients, resulting in discontinuation of treatment.
“We are pleased to add St. Louis University as a clinical site for
VGX-410C,” says J. Joseph Kim, Ph.D., President and CEO of VGX Pharmaceuticals.
“VGX-410C could make a significant impact for HCV treatment and
the new site at St. Louis University will help us to accelerate the clinical
trials greatly” said Dr. Kim.
Cautionary
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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fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.
They use words such as "anticipate," "estimate,"
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in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances
or future operating or financial performance. In particular, these
include statements relating to future actions, prospective products
or product approvals, future performance or results of current and
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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
market conditions, competitive product development, product availability,
current and future branded and generic competition, federal and state
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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
document. We undertake no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking
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 leading biopharmaceutical company with strong product
candidates for the treatment of infectious diseases including HIV and hepatitis
C virus (HCV) as well as cancer and inflammatory diseases. The Company’s
clinical development programs include PICTOVIR™ for HIV infection
and VGX-410C for chronic HCV infection, which are currently in Phase II
clinical trials. In addition, a Phase I clinical trial will be initiated
in 2006 for the Company’s lead cancer drug compound, VGX-150 for the
treatment of Melanoma. Moreover, VGX Pharmaceuticals’ therapeutic
platform is designed to advance a strong and continual pipeline of additional
drug candidates into the clinic with VGX-100 for cancer therapy and VGX-1027
and VGX-750 for inflammatory diseases currently in development. 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
Vice President
Tel 267.440.4208
Fax 267.440.4242
E-mail: Rassas@vgxp.com
www.vgxp.com
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