IRVING, Texas, July 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carrington Laboratories, Inc. today announced that DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc., Carrington’s wholly-owned subsidiary, presented data on the GelSite(R) polymer and its ability to stabilize and provide sustained release of therapeutic peptides and proteins at the 34th Annual Meeting & Exposition of the Controlled Release Society (CRS) which was held July 7-11, 2007, in Long Beach, California.
The GelSite(R) polymer, a high-molecular-weight anionic polysaccharide which exhibits distinct chemical and functional properties, is produced under cGMP with high purity at a kilogram scale.
The presentation to the CRS, entitled “GelSite(R) Polymer, a Versatile In-Situ Gelling Excipient for Sustained Peptide and Protein Delivery Systems,” focused on the ability of the GelSite(R) polymer technology to provide sustained release and stabilization of therapeutic peptides and proteins from both liquid and powder formulations. The GelSite(R) polymer is capable of in-situ gelling (i.e., forming a gel in the presence of body fluids), is mucoadhesive, and can interact with peptides and proteins, all of which allow for the proper control of therapeutic release profiles. Because it is able to gel from a liquid or powder state in the presence of other excipients, the GelSite(R) polymer is ideal for use in incorporating into peptide and protein delivery systems for injectable, mucosal, and/or intraocular administration.
So far this year, DelSite has signed five technology rights evaluation agreements with commercial partners who are interested in its delivery technology. EndoBiologics, Inc. of Missoula, Montana is evaluating the GelSite(R) polymer for use in a vaccine to prevent Shigellosis, a form of dysentery. AriaVax, Inc. of Gaithersburg, Maryland is evaluating the GelSite(R) polymer for injectable delivery of a novel HIV vaccine. ElSohly Laboratories is evaluating the GelSite polymer to deliver a novel cancer therapy. International Vaccine Institute is evaluating the polymer for oral delivery of vaccines, and Nastech Pharmaceutical Company, Inc. is evaluating it for use in its nasal delivery formulations. Additionally, DelSite initiated work with the National Institutes of Health to evaluate a modification of its GelSite polymer for use as the antigen for a typhoid vaccine; and, with the National Cancer Institute, aimed at the development of a needle-free nasal powder delivery of future HPV vaccines.
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 and vaccines. 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 NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) of the NIH (National Institute of Health) under 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’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 15, 2007.
Carrington Laboratories, Inc.
CONTACT: Carlton E. Turner, Chief Executive Officer of CarringtonLaboratories, Inc., +1-972-518-1300
Web site: http://www.carringtonlabs.com/
