Joseph A. Bellanti, M.D. Joins DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc. Scientific Advisory Board; Will Advise On Clinical Development Of Respiratory Delivery Of Vaccines And Drugs
IRVING, Texas, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carrington Laboratories, Inc. today announced that Joseph A. Bellanti, M.D., director of the International Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Immunology at Georgetown University, has joined the Scientific Advisory Board of DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc., Carrington's subsidiary. Together with Kinam Park, Ph.D. of Purdue University and Charles L. McCormick, Ph.D. of the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. Bellanti will act as an advisor to DelSite primarily on the clinical development of respiratory delivery of vaccines and drugs using the company's proprietary drug delivery technologies.
Dr. Bellanti's research has focused on developmental immunology. He has been involved with many clinical trials associated with new innovative vaccines including those delivered to the respiratory tract. Along with other investigators, he has studied phagocytic cell function in the newborn. He and his colleagues were the first to describe the antiviral activity of the secretary IgA system in nasal secretions and he has developed a typhoid fever vaccine that uses temperature sensitive strains of Salmonella typhi.
"DelSite is indeed fortunate to have Dr. Bellanti join its Scientific Advisory Board," said Kenneth (Bill) Yates, president of DelSite. "Dr. Bellanti's expertise in immunology and vaccine development brings an important clinical component to the Advisory Board and complements the technical expertise of Dr. Park and Dr. McCormick."
In addition to teaching medical students and residents, Dr. Bellanti has directed a postgraduate training program in developmental immunology since 1968 and a clinical residency program in allergy and immunology since 1978. Part of his time is devoted to direct patient care of children and adults exhibiting the full spectrum of allergic and immunologic disorders.
For his achievements in allergy and immunology, Dr. Bellanti has received numerous awards, including two from the American College of Allergy and Immunology; the Humanitarian Award for "excellence and service and teaching of clinical immunology" in 1974, and the Distinguished Fellow Award in 1981. In 1992 Dr. Bellanti received the Honoris causa from the University of Palermo, Italy. From 1975 to 1980, he served on the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a conjoint board of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics and was its president from 1979 to 1980. He was President of the Society for Pediatric Research (1980), President of INTERASTHMA (1987-90), President of the American College of Allergy and Immunology (1991-92), and president of the Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists (1974-84).
Dr. Bellanti frequently lectures abroad in Europe and South America, sometimes in fluent Spanish or Italian. Dr. Bellanti has published more than 400 scientific articles and abstracts, as well as numerous textbook chapters. He is editor of the well-known textbook "Immunology", published by W.B. Saunders Co. and was editor of "Annals of Allergy" from 1982 to 1989, as well as editor-in-chief of "Pediatric Research" from 1974 to 1984.
The GelVac(TM) nasal powder vaccine delivery system is DelSite's most advanced delivery platform. In May 2005, DelSite announced results of a Phase I clinical trial involving 15 healthy volunteers that demonstrated that GelVac(TM) was safe and well tolerated and that doses were consistently and reproducibly delivered to the nasal cavity.
Development of the GelVac(TM) nasal powder vaccine delivery system is partially supported by an SBIR biodefense grant and a $6 million NIH/NIAID preclinical development grant for H5N1 avian influenza.
About GelSite(R) and GelVac(TM)
The GelVac(TM) powder delivery system is based on the proprietary GelSite(R) polymer, a high molecular weight ionic polysaccharide that exhibits distinct chemical and functional properties. GelSite(R) polymer is capable of in situ gelation, i.e., changing from a liquid or a powder to a gel upon contact with body fluids.
GelSite(R) nasal powder formulations have the potential to be used for the delivery of vaccine antigens as well as therapeutic agents. GelSite(R) is not an adjuvant and is a member of a family of plant polysaccharides classified by the FDA as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS). Recently, the Company has filed a Drug Master File for the use of the polymer for mucosal delivery of vaccine antigens and drugs.
The GelVac(TM) system is a nasal powder vaccine delivery platform based on GelSite(R) polymer. Dry powder formulations provide several potential advantages, including better stability, room temperature storage and no need for preservatives. Nasal immunization induces both systemic and mucosal immune responses.
About DelSite
DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carrington Laboratories, was established to commercialize its novel polymer drug delivery technology. Currently, DelSite is focused on developing delivery systems for vaccines and therapeutic proteins and peptides that could benefit from improved intranasal, topical and injectable routes of administration. For more information, visit http://www.delsite.com .
About Carrington
Carrington Laboratories, Inc. is an ISO 9001-certified, research-based, biopharmaceutical and consumer products company currently utilizing naturally-occurring complex carbohydrates to manufacture and market products for mucositis, radiation dermatitis, wound and oral care, as well as to manufacture and market the nutraceutical raw material Manapol(R) and cosmetic raw material Hydrapol(TM). Carrington also manufactures and markets consumer products and manufactures quality products for other companies. Manufacturing operations comply with cGMP standards. Carrington's technology is protected by more than 130 patents in 26 countries. Select products carry the CE mark, recognized by more than 20 countries around the world. For more information, visit http://www.carringtonlabs.com .
Certain statements in this release concerning Carrington may be forward-looking. Actual events will be dependent upon a number of factors and risks including, but not limited to: subsequent changes in plans by the Company's management; delays or problems in formulation, manufacturing, distribution, production and/or launch of new finished products; changes in the regulatory process; changes in market trends; and a number of other factors and risks described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities & Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-Q, filed November 14, 2005.
Carrington, Manapol, AloeCeuticals, Hydrapol, GelSite and GelVac are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Carrington Laboratories, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks or service marks contained herein are the properties of their respective owners.
Carrington Laboratories, Inc.CONTACT: Carlton E. Turner, Chief Executive Officer of CarringtonLaboratories, Inc., +1-972-518-1300