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VGX Collaborators to
present Chikungunya Vaccine Research at the 13th International Congress
on Infectious Diseases
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Bell, PA – June 12, 2008 – |
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VGX Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VGX) announced today that
research data on the Company’s SynCon™ DNA vaccine for Chikungunya
virus (CHIKV) will be presented at the 13th International Congress on
Infectious Diseases (ICID) as a part of an oral presentation. The Conference
is sponsored by the International Society for Infectious Diseases and
will take place June 19-22, 2008 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
in Malaysia.
Dr. Karuppiah Muthumani of the University of Pennsylvania,
a VGX collaborator on the project, will deliver the oral presentation
on June 20 titled “Immunogenicity of Novel Consensus-Based DNA Vaccines
Against Chikungunya Virus. This presentation is part of the session entitled
“New Insights to Infectious Diseases,” and highlights the
pre-clinical research and development of novel methodologies for a Chikungunya
DNA vaccine using the Company’s CELLECTRA® constant
current electroporation device. The delivery of CHIKV antigens using intradermal
electroporation (ID-EP) could be an important vaccination strategy as
there are currently no vaccines or other specific treatments available
for CHIKV.
CHIKV is a major emerging infectious disease indigenous
to tropical Africa and Asia, where it is primarily transmitted to humans
by the Aedes mosquito. Symptoms include fever, which lasts for 2 to 5
days. However, other symptoms, namely joint pain, intense headache, insomnia
and an extreme degree of prostration last from 5 days to several months
depending on age. “Chikungunya” is derived from the Makonde
word meaning "that which bends up" in reference to the stooped
posture developed as a result of the arthritic symptoms of the disease.
VGX Pharmaceuticals’ SynCon™ DNA vaccine
constructs are designed by aligning numerous primary sequences of the
target antigens and choosing the most common amino acid or base pair at
each site by using proprietary bioinformatics approaches. The SynCon™
DNA vaccines in combination with the CELLECTRA® delivery
device provide greater levels of cross-reactive immune responses than
those produced by more traditional vaccines.
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
forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the
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
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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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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 molecule
and biologic product candidates for the treatment of infectious diseases,
cancer, and inflammatory diseases. The Company's clinical development
programs include PICTOVIR™ for HIV infection, which is in Phase
II clinical trials, PENNVAX™-B for HIV infection, which is in 2
separate Phase I clinical trials, and VGX-1027 for inflammatory diseases,
which is in Phase I clinical trials. In addition, the Company has filed
INDs for VGX-3100, a DNA therapeutic vaccine for cervical cancer; VGX-3200,
a novel DNA therapy that utilizes GHRH for the treatment of cancer cachexia
and anemia; and VGX-3400, a DNA preventative vaccine for avian influenza.
VGX has established a vertically-integrated DNA Vaccines and Therapies
Platform with extensive capabilities including SynCon™ DNA-based
product candidates, the CELLECTRA® delivery device, and
efficient cGMP plasmid manufacturing facilities. The cGMP facilities are
used for VGX’s own product supplies and for contract manufacturing.
Vertical control over key aspects of product development has enabled the
Company to consistently develop multiple product candidates, from bench-to-IND
filing, within 1 year. 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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