IRVING, Texas, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carrington Laboratories, Inc. today announced its wholly-owned subsidiary, DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc., granted a non-exclusive license to EndoBiologics, Inc. of Missoula, Montana for the purpose of developing and evaluating investigational conjugate vaccines against bacillary dysentery (shigellosis) and other bacterial diseases using DelSite’s nasal powder vaccine delivery technology.
The goal of the program is to develop needle-free vaccines that can be shipped worldwide and stored without refrigeration. Financial terms were not disclosed.
As part of the agreement, DelSite will provide EndoBiologics with its GelSite(R) drug delivery polymer and will assist in the formulation of vaccine powder preparations. EndoBiologics will be responsible for preclinical studies using its proprietary antigens.
EndoBiologics is a privately held company that has a patented platform technology for manufacturing highly refined conjugate vaccines against many kinds of bacteria. In addition to Shigella, these include bacteria that cause meningitis, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sepsis.
Shigellosis is the leading cause of dysentery worldwide. It is endemic in lesser developed countries, and causes infections in about 160 million children, annually. It is also a serious threat to international travelers and US military forces who visit or are deployed to endemic regions. Individuals infected with Shigella bacteria experience severe bloody diarrhea, accompanied by stomach cramps and dehydration. The health risks of shigellosis have increased in recent years because most forms of Shigella bacteria have acquired resistance to antibiotic therapies. Accordingly, development of safe and effective Shigella vaccines is a high priority for the US military, the World Health Organization, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A travelers’ vaccine to prevent shigellosis and other diarrheal diseases is expected to have a high commercial value.
To enhance worldwide distribution and use of Shigella vaccines, priorities have been placed on obtaining a vaccine formulation that can be stored without refrigeration and that can be administered by a needle-free delivery system. DelSite officials said the Company’s dry powder delivery technology is especially suited to meet these priorities. In addition, studies have shown that the DelSite technology may confer adjuvant-like properties to certain vaccine formulations, increasing their immunogenicity.
In September of 2006, DelSite entered into a three-year CRADA with the Laboratory of Cellular Oncology at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to determine if GelVac(TM) nasal powder delivery platform is adaptable for delivering human papillomavirus virus-like particles (HPV VLP) vaccines in a powder dosage form for mucosal immunization.
About EndoBiologics
EndoBiologics Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company based in Missoula, Montana. In addition to developing a Shigella vaccine with DelSite Biotechnologies, the company has a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and grants from the Department of Defense for the development of vaccines to protect US military troops against bacterial dysentery.
About DelSite
Carrington’s wholly-owned subsidiary DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc. is developing its proprietary GelSite(R) technology designed to provide controlled release of peptide and protein-based drugs. DelSite is currently developing a nasal powder vaccine using its GelVac(TM) formula with the H5N1 avian flu antigen. This work is partially funded by two grants from the Department of Health and Human Services.
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 and DelSite technologies are 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, 2006.
Carrington Laboratories, Inc.
CONTACT: Carlton E. Turner, Chief Executive Officer of CarringtonLaboratories, Inc., +1-972-518-1300
Web site: http://www.carringtonlabs.com/
