IRVING, Texas, April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- . Carrington Laboratories, Inc. today announced that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded a second year of SBIR funding to DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc. in the amount of $463,000. DelSite will use the funds from this grant to continue evaluating the feasibility of using the GelVac(TM) system to deliver nasally several different types of antigens associated with common infectious diseases.
“This will complete the funding of the $888,000 two-year BioDefense grant awarded to DelSite in March 2004,” said Kenneth (Bill) Yates, president of DelSite. “Second year funding was contingent upon meeting the research goals set out in the grant award. We are very pleased with the progress we have made toward meeting the milestones of this project.”
About GelVac(TM) and GelSite(R)
The GelVac(TM) system is a broad nasal powder vaccine delivery platform based on GelSite(R) polymer. The technology is seen as a potential rapid and cost-effective way to immunize large populations during outbreaks of biological warfare or pandemic disease, without the use of conventional needle delivery technology or caregiver assistance. It also eliminates the need for mercury preservatives and does not require cold storage.
GelSite(R) polymer is a naturally sourced, high molecular weight charged polysaccharide that exhibits distinct chemical and functional properties that are proprietary to the Company. GelSite is water-based and is capable of in situ gelation, i.e., changing from a liquid or a powder to a gel upon contact with body fluids. GelSite is not an adjuvant and is a member of a family of plant polysaccharides classified by the FDA as Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) and is manufactured under cGMP.
About DelSite
DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Carrington established to commercialize its novel polymer drug delivery technology. Currently, DelSite is focusing its resources on developing delivery systems for vaccines and therapeutic proteins and peptides that could benefit from improved injectable, intranasal and topical routes of administration. For more information please 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 polymeric 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 under the AloeCeuticals(R) brand and manufactures quality products for other companies. Manufacturing operations comply with cGMP standards. The Company’s DelSite Biotechnologies subsidiary is developing its propriety GelSiteJ technology designed to provide controlled release of peptide and protein-based drugs. Carrington’s technology is protected by more than 130 patents in 26 countries. Select products are marketed using the internationally coveted 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-K filed March 28, 2005.
Contact: Carlton E. Turner Thomas Redington Chief Executive Officer Redington, Inc. Carrington Laboratories, Inc. 203/222-7399 972/518-1300 or 800/527-5216 212/926-1733
Carrington Laboratories, Inc.
CONTACT: Carlton E. Turner, Chief Executive Officer of CarringtonLaboratories, Inc., +1-972-518-1300 or 1-800-527-5216; or Thomas Redington ofRedington, Inc., +1-203-222-7399, or +1-212-926-1733, for CarringtonLaboratories, Inc.