IRVING, Texas, May 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carrington Laboratories, Inc. today announced the promotion of Yawei Ni, Ph.D., to Senior Scientist at DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc., the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to the development of novel delivery technology for vaccines and drugs.
Carrington credits Dr. Ni with the discovery of the GelSite(R) polymer core to DelSite’s patented platform technology and for leading its development as a viable vehicle for controlled release of injectable drugs and as a nasal powder delivery system for vaccines and therapeutics. Under Dr. Ni’s guidance, DelSite is currently pursuing a nasal powder avian influenza vaccine partially supported by a $6 million NIH/NIAID grant. Earlier this month, utilizing three key components of the GelSite(R) technology, DelSite responded to the U.S. government’s request for proposal (RFP) for the development of an antigen-sparing pandemic influenza (Avian H5N1) vaccine.
Dr. Ni has worked at the DelSite facility at College Station since DelSite’s inception in 2001. Dr. Ni has been with Carrington since 1995, following two years as a research scientist at Texas A&M University, studying immunology and the mechanisms of the biological functions of Acemannan Hydrogel(TM), Carrington’s proprietary raw material used in its advanced wound care products. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine and an M.S. in Microbiology in China, and earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Virology at Texas A&M. Dr. Ni is a published author of a number of scientific papers and abstracts and has co-authored each of the U.S. patents awarded to DelSite protecting its technology.
Dr. Carlton Turner, Carrington’s president and CEO, commented, “Dr. Ni’s contributions to our knowledge, understanding and development of natural products as therapeutics are most noteworthy. His work with Dr. Ian Tizard, Professor of immunology, led to the discovery and purification of the naturally-derived GelSite(R) polymer that is the platform for our drug and vaccine delivery technologies. Further, he has been key in DelSite’s development of the GelVac(TM) delivery system to deliver vaccines such as the H5N1 bird flu antigen. This powder system enhances immune response and requires no needle, cold storage, nor preservatives, and is stable over a wide range of temperatures and can easily be self-administered.”
Dr. Ni will remain at the DelSite facility at Research Park of Texas A&M University, where he will continue work on the development of an antigen- sparing influenza vaccine and on the advancement of DelSite’s polymer through additional human clinicals.
About GelSite(R) Polymer
Carrington’s patented GelSite(R) polymer, extracted and purified from the Aloe vera plant, is a member of a family of carbohydrates that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified as “Generally Regarded As Safe” (GRAS). It is water-based and capable of changing from a solid or liquid into a gel upon contact with body fluid -- a process called in situ gelation -- making possible the sustained release of vaccines and other pharmaceuticals over prolonged periods of time.
About GelVac(TM) Delivery System
The GelVac(TM) system is a proprietary nasal powder vaccine delivery system, based on the GelSite(R) polymer, the primary functional ingredient. Dry powder formulations provide several potential advantages including better stability, room temperature storage and no need for mercury or other preservatives. Nasal immunization induces both systemic and mucosal immune responses.
About GelVac(TM) Nasal Powder Influenza Vaccine
DelSite’s GelVac(TM) avian flue vaccine is uniquely suited to meeting the challenges of a pandemic:
* It is stable at room temperature, the vaccine requires no refrigeration for shipping or prolonged storage, facilitating both stock-piling and rapid distribution. * The powder is easily administered and could be self-administered, if necessitated by an overwhelmed health care system. * The powder gels on contact with nasal fluid, prolonging the nasal residence time and sustaining the antigen release potentially allowing for an enhanced protection.
Nasally administered vaccines form a first-line of immune defense for the upper respiratory system, a common entry point for influenza virus, as well as prompting the body’s normal systemic immune response.
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 DelSite Biotechnologies subsidiary is developing its proprietary GelSite(R) 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 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 May 5, 2006.
Carrington Laboratories, Inc.
CONTACT: Carlton E. Turner, Chief Executive Officer of CarringtonLaboratories, Inc., +1-972-518-1300
Web site: http://www.carringtonlabs.com/
