IRVING, Texas, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carrington Laboratories, Inc. today announced that Yawei Ni, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at DelSite Biotechnologies, gave an oral presentation entitled “An Inactivated Influenza Nasal Powder Vaccine” during the Second International Conference on Influenza Vaccines for the World (IVW), which met October 18-20, 2006 in Vienna, Austria. IVW 2006 is an international forum for world renowned experts in the field of influenza vaccines to report the latest data and trends associated with current and new influenza vaccines and their availability/delivery worldwide.
Dr. Ni’s presentation described an influenza nasal powder vaccine that incorporates inactivated whole virion antigen in the GelVac(TM) dry powder delivery system, a unique in situ gelling powder formulation. Upon hydration by nasal fluid, the GelVac powder formulation changes from dry powder particles to wet gel particles, resulting in the formation of a gel that adheres to nasal mucus, thus maximizing antigen exposure through prolonged nasal residence time and sustained antigen release.
This vaccine provides distinct advantages in meeting the critical needs for influenza pandemic preparedness and epidemic control, including room temperature stability, broader protection, antigen sparing, ease of administration and induction of both mucosal and systemic immune responses.
Preclinical studies have shown that GelVac powder vaccine is highly immunogenic in animal models, inducing a strong immune response and a strong protective effect following challenge infection. The powder vaccine was found to be stable at ambient temperature for over eighteen months.
The Phase I human safety study showed that the GelVac powder without an antigen was safe and well tolerated in humans. Together, these results form a critical base for further expeditious development of this novel vaccine toward clinical studies.
An abstract of this presentation can be found on DelSite’s website at http://www.delsite.com/newfiles/sci_pubs.html .
About GelVac(TM)
GelVac(TM) is a proprietary nasal powder vaccine delivery system based on the GelSite(R) polymer, the primary functional ingredient that confers its unique in situ gelling property. The GelVac system combines the advantages of dry powder formulations and nasal immunization, including room temperature stability, prolonged shelf life, and no need for preservatives, and induction of systemic and mucosal immune responses.
About DelSite
DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc. is a drug delivery and biotechnology company established to provide the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with novel delivery solutions for vaccines and therapeutic agents. DelSite is a wholly owned subsidiary of Carrington Laboratories, Inc. and was formed based on discoveries at Carrington.
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 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 August 14, 2006.
Carrington Laboratories, Inc.
CONTACT: Carlton E. Turner, CEO of Carrington Laboratories, Inc.,+1-972-518-1300; or Redington, Inc., +1-212-926-1733, for CarringtonLaboratories, Inc.
