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VGX DNA vaccine primate
study results to be presented at the AIDS Vaccine 2007 Conference
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Bell, PA – August 20, 2007 – |
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VGX Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VGX) announced today that
there will be multiple presentations regarding its DNA vaccines for HIV
and its patented CELLECTRA™ DNA Delivery technology at the AIDS
Vaccine 2007 Conference to be held August 20-23 in Seattle, Washington,
USA.
The presentations will be delivered by the Company’s collaborators
at the University of Pennsylvania. The investigators have observed that
significant T-cell mediated immune responses were generated in non-human
primates to VGX’s HIV DNA vaccine candidates delivered with CELLECTRA™
device. Most notably, the monkeys immunized with VGX vaccines displayed
HIV-specific T cell responses as much as 10-20 fold greater than those
reported in the literature using other vaccine modalities, including DNA
vaccines without electroporation. Induction of high levels of T cell immune
responses, especially the CD8+ Killer T cell responses, has long been
thought to be important for developing a successful vaccine for HIV.
DNA vaccines, comprising plasmid DNA encoding proteins from pathogens,
allergens, and tumors, are being evaluated by many research scientists
as prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic treatments for infectious diseases,
allergies and cancer. The use of DNA as a means of vaccination offers
potential benefits in protective efficacy, cross-strain applicability,
development speed and manufacturing cost compared with conventional vaccines.
DNA vaccines are known to be particularly effective in inducing killer
T-cell responses which are an important ingredient in fighting infections.
VGX Pharmaceuticals is developing a new generation of DNA vaccines utilizing
synthetic consensus sequences and antigens for key HIV, HCV, HPV, and
Influenza proteins that offer coverage across different viral sub-types
or taxonomic groups. Pre-clinical studies have shown that immunization
of mice and non-human primates using the consensus DNA constructs for
each virus elicits an immune response against multiple sub-types of the
HIV, HCV, HPV, or influenza viruses respectively.
VGX Pharmaceuticals has initiated IND-enabling pre-clinical toxicology
studies for three of its DNA plasmid-based product candidates. The candidates
include vaccines for human papilloma virus for the treatment of cervical
cancer (VGX-3100) and avian influenza (VGX-3400), and a therapeutic based
on human growth hormone releasing hormone (VGX-3200) for cancer related
cachexia. Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) for the three products
are expected to be filed in the first half of 2008.
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,"
"expect," "project," "intend," "plan,"
"believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning
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
anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies
such as legal proceedings, and financial results. Any or all of our
forward-looking statements here or in other publications may turn
out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or
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
regulations and legislation, manufacturing issues, timing of the elimination
of trade buying, patent positions, litigations and investigations.
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 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, VGX
is planning to initiate Phase I clinical studies for VGX-1027, its lead
compound 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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