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| VGX-150
Animal Efficacy Study Featured in Molecular Therapy
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| Blue
Bell, PA – November 7, 2006 – |
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VGX Pharmaceuticals announced today the preclinical
animal efficacy studies for VGX-150, the company’s lead product
candidate for the treatment of Melanoma, has been featured in the November
issue of Molecular Therapy (vol 14, no 5, Nov. 2006; pages 647-655). Moreover,
the study was featured the In This Month section of the journals  .
“HIV Vpr Zaps Tumors
The HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr (viral protein R) has previously been
demonstrated to G2 cell cycle arrest and kill tumors in vitro. In vivo
electroporation has been utilized to deliver pharmacologic agents and
DNA plasmids that express “therapeutic” proteins to malignant
tumors. In this issue, McCray et. al. evaluated the effects of intratumoral
delivery of a Vpr expression plasmid through in vivo electroporation to
established melanoma tumors in mice. Treatment with the Vpr-expressing
plasmid resulted in complete tumor regression and led to long-term survival
in a fraction of the mice. Electroporative delivery of the Vpr-expressing
plasmid was shown to induce apoptosis in tumors. The results suggest that
Vpr is a promising anti-cancer therapeutic.”
Soon to be a part of the prestigious Nature Publishing Group in January
of 2007, Molecular Therapy is a leading journal of the American Society
of Gene Therapy (ASGT). Molecular Therapy presents important, peer-reviewed
studies on key issues in gene transfer, gene
and cell therapies, experimental models for correction of genetic and
acquired disease and clinical trials. MT has become recognized as one
of the most prestigious journals in the field. MT is ranked in three ISI
categories with a high impact factor.
Skin cancer (both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer) is the most common
of all cancers, accounting for more than 50% of all malignancies. Melanoma
is responsible for about 80% of all mortality due to skin. The number
of new melanoma cases diagnosed in the United States is increasing; approximately
8,000 people in the US died of melanomas during 2004.
IND-enabling toxicity studies for VGX-150 are currently in progress at
the University of South Florida. An Investigational New Drug Application
(IND) for VGX-150 is expected to be filed and Phase I clinical trials
are expected to be initiated in the first quarter of 2007.
Cautionary
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They use words such as "anticipate," "estimate,"
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Our actual results may vary materially, and there are no guarantees
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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 2007 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
Senior Vice President
Tel. 267.440.4208
Fax 267.440.4242
E-mail: Rassas@vgxp.com
www.vgxp.com
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