AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A patent licensed exclusively to Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. has been granted by the European Patent Office (“EPO”). The patent protects Introgen’s non-viral delivery platform for delivering one or more of almost 40 tumor suppressor genes for inducing apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer cells. The patent, EP1180016B1 is titled Methods and Compositions for Non-Viral Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Hyperproliferative Diseases. This patent is one of a family of patents issued to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and licensed to Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
Dr. David L. Parker, Introgen’s senior vice president of Intellectual Property said, “This patent is of particular importance in that it provides protection for the systemic delivery of tumor suppressor genes such as p53, mda-7 and numerous others, by using synthetic nanoparticles. This approach has shown promise, for example, in our INGN 401 program, in which the FUS-1 tumor suppressor gene is administered intravenously to patients with metastatic lung cancers. Introgen’s nanoparticle programs are further enhanced by its recently acquired nanoplex technologies which enable the systemic delivery of a variety of proteins, peptides and polypeptides.”
Introgen’s programs in this area are in various stages of development. INGN 401 (nanoparticle-FUS-1) is in Phase 1 studies. Nanoparticle-mda7 (INGN 403) has demonstrated in preclinical studies that the therapy results in potent anti-cancer effects and systemic tumor growth inhibition in an animal model of metastatic lung cancer.
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted molecular therapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Introgen is developing molecular therapeutics, immunotherapies, vaccines and nanoparticle therapies to treat a wide range of cancers using tumor suppressors and cytokines. Introgen maintains integrated research, development, manufacturing, clinical and regulatory departments and operates multiple manufacturing facilities including a commercial scale cGMP manufacturing facility.
Introgen holds license agreements with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to commercialize products based on licensed technologies, and has the option to license future technologies under sponsored research agreements. The University of Texas Board of Regents owns stock in Introgen. These arrangements are managed in accordance with M. D. Anderson’s conflict of interest policies.
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be “forward-looking” statements, including those relating to Introgen’s future success with its nanoparticle, systemic clinical development programs for treatment of cancer and the intellectual property which covers the various therapies. The actual results may differ from those described in this release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in Introgen’s operations and business environment, including Introgen’s stage of product development and the limited experience in the development of gene-based drugs in general, dependence upon proprietary technology and the current competitive environment, history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, reliance on collaborative relationships, and uncertainties related to clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of Introgen’s product candidates, the ability to obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals, Introgen’s patent protection and market acceptance, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Introgen’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Introgen undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements that reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
Editor’s Note: For more information on Introgen Therapeutics, or for a menu of archived press releases, please visit Introgen’s Website at: http://www.introgen.com .
Contact: Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. C. Channing Burke (512) 708 9310 Ext. 322 Email: c.burke@introgen.com
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
CONTACT: C. Channing Burke of Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.,+1-512-708-9310, Ext. 322, or c.burke@introgen.com
Web site: http://www.introgen.com/
