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| VGX
Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication of Preclinical Efficacy Studies
for
VGX-1027 for Treating Type 1 Diabetes
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| Blue
Bell, PA – December 6, 2006 – |
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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 type 1 diabetes (T1D) and rheumatoid
arthritis (RA). VGX-1027 is a novel orally-active, small-molecule compound
with broad anti-inflammatory properties.
A manuscript entitled, “A Potent Immunomodulatory Compound, VGX-1027,
Prevents Spontaneous and Accelerated Forms of Autoimmune Diabetes in NOD
Mice and Inhibits the Immunoinflammatory Diabetes Induced by Multiple
Low Doses of Streptozotocin in CBA/H Mice,” was published in the
online edition of Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
(JPET) (http://jpet.aspetjournals.org).
JPET is a publication of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental
Therapeutics. 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. The paper is now available online and should be available
in the print edition in several weeks .
Inflammatory diseases including RA, psoriasis, colitis, and T1D represent
major medical problems. For instance, in the U.S., over 2.7 Million and
1 Million people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes,
respectively.
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 have shown that VGX-1027 is effective in
inhibiting these cytokines in cell culture, and has shown efficacy in
several disease models in animals, including the ones for T1D, RA, psoriasis,
and colitis
“VGX-1027 program represents VGX‘s entry into the important
T1D and RA disease fields with a lead drug candidate having several potential
advantages over currently available treatment option,” says J. Joseph
Kim, Ph.D., President and CEO of VGX Pharmaceuticals. “In this paper,
VGX-1027 clearly demonstrated its potent activities against T1D disease
as well as some favorable pharmacokinetic (PK) properties.”
VGX Pharmaceuticals plans to co-develop VGX-1027 for T1D with its affiliate
VGX International. An Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for VGX-1027
is expected to be filed and Phase I clinical trials are expected to be
initiated in the second quarter of 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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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,
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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
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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 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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