ATLANTA, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GeoVax Labs, Inc. , an Atlanta-based, publicly traded biopharmaceutical company developing human vaccines for diseases caused by HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and other infectious agents, announced today that Chuck Panozzo, founder of the internationally acclaimed rock band Styx, has joined the GeoVax Labs awareness campaign as an advocate of the Company’s promising HIV/AIDS Vaccine, currently in Phase 2a human trials.
Mr. Panozzo met GeoVax’s lead scientist, Dr. Harriet Robinson, at a recent awareness campaign in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida. He noted, “I was sincerely touched by her success, and determination in her pursuit to bring an end to the devastating AIDS pandemic. Having been diagnosed HIV positive in 1991, and having lost many relatives and friends to HIV/AIDS over the years, I found Dr. Robinson’s quest for a vaccine hitting very close to home.”
“Being involved in AIDS research and my commitment to equal rights, are two very important matters to me. Through my role with Styx, I have been given the unique opportunity to help make a difference. My music and artistic expressions have come full circle and has manifested in my involvement with pediatric AIDS. As a former teacher, I have realized how important education is and I found it to be a way to combat prejudice and intolerance; two things which we as society must fight to eradicate.”
Mr. Panozzo concluded, “I am not a hero by any means! The real heroes are the researchers who have dedicated their lives to finding treatments for the common fellow men. The easier they make the protocols, the more people will benefit. World governments have not done a very good job in this regard, so it will be important that we remain vigilant to the cause. Presently, the cost of treatment is only affordable by the wealthy; a vaccine solution which can be accessed by all is a key. We have to make sure things are not being ignored. As long as there are researchers out there like Dr. Harriet Robinson to carry the flag, we are obligated to help and we will prevail. I want people to know that something IS being done and hope for millions IS out there.”
Dr. Harriet Robinson, Senior Vice President of Research and Development remarked, “The threat is real, but so is the support. HIV/AIDS affects people from all classes in America and all over the world. Chuck is a true advocate of what we at GeoVax are working towards - living with a deadly disease and preventing further spread - and we are thankful to have him promote our work. We have a great opportunity and we are making the necessary headway needed to make this vaccine a reality for the good of humanity.”
About Chuck Panozzo
Chuck Panozzo (born Charles Salvatore Panozzo, on September 20, 1948, in Chicago) is a bass player. A longtime member of the rock band Styx, he founded the group with his fraternal twin brother, drummer John Panozzo. They recorded such hit singles as “Lady,” “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” “The Best of Times,” “Too Much Time on My Hands” and “Mr. Roboto.” Chuck Panozzo continues to tour with Styx on a regular basis.
In 2001, Panozzo announced he was gay and living with HIV, and has been involved in campaigning for AIDS awareness and gay rights. The following year he released his autobiography The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life with Styx.
Additional information on Chuck Panozzo can be found at www.chuckpanozzosplace.com and www.styxworld.com
About GeoVax Labs, Inc.
GeoVax Labs, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing human vaccines for diseases caused by HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and other infectious agents. GeoVax’s AIDS vaccine technology is the subject of 20 issued or filed patent applications. GeoVax AIDS vaccines are designed for use in uninfected people to prevent Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease (AIDS), caused by the virus known as HIV-1, should the person ever become infected. GeoVax AIDS vaccines also may be effective as therapeutics, treatment of people already infected with AIDS virus.
GeoVax’s core AIDS vaccine technologies were developed by Dr. Harriet Robinson, Senior V.P. of Research and Development, through a collaboration of colleagues at Emory University’s Vaccine Center, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and GeoVax.
GeoVax AIDS vaccines have moved forward in human clinical trials conducted by the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) based in Seattle, Washington. The HVTN, funded through a cooperative agreement with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the largest worldwide clinical trials program dedicated to the development and testing of AIDS vaccines. Preclinical work enabling evaluation of GeoVax DNA and MVA vaccines was funded and supported by NIAID, which provided additional support to GeoVax AIDS vaccine development program with a $15 million IPCAVD grant awarded in late 2007.
Safe Harbor Statement
All statements in this news release, not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations and assumptions on the date of this press release and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, whether: GeoVax can develop and manufacture these vaccines with the desired characteristics in a timely manner, GeoVax’s vaccines will be safe for human use, GeoVax’s vaccines will effectively prevent AIDS in humans, vaccines will receive regulatory approvals necessary to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to complete vaccine development, there is development of competitive products that may be more effective or easier to use than GeoVax’s products, and other factors over which GeoVax has no control. GeoVax assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and does not intend to do so. Certain matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements involving certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports.
CONTACT: Robert McNally of GeoVax Labs, Inc., +1-404-727-0971,
rmcnally@geovax.com; or Leslie Loyet, Investor Relations, +1-312-640-6672,
lloyet@mww.com, or Nikki Snodgrass, Media Relations, +1-312-640-6732,
nsnodgrass@mww.com, both of Financial Relations Board, for GeoVax Labs,
Inc.
Web site: http://www.geovax.com/
