HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Expression Genetics, Inc. announces that R & D Directions, a widely circulated pharmaceutical trade publication, has named EGEN-001, a novel cancer therapeutic, in its March 2006 list of the 100 Great Investigational Drugs. The drug is being developed by the Huntsville, Alabama biotechnology company.
Drugs that could comprise a predicted spike in pharmaceutical and biotechnology productivity are among those selected this year by the editors of R&D Directions as the best and brightest of the future’s new medicines. This fifth annual report on 100 great investigational drugs in development presents compounds distinguishing themselves as innovative, first-in-class, or clearly advanced compared with those on the market.
Many of the compounds address unmet medical needs and were selected for inclusion in the list from the thousands being developed at large and small companies throughout the world. To make the list, the substances had to be unique, show potential in a major or blossoming therapeutic area, and be active in Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III of the clinical development process. Dr. Danny Lewis, CEO, of Expression Genetics stated, “This is a very nice recognition for the entire EGEN-001 team as well as our investors. We are encouraged by the progress of the current Phase I clinical trial and expect to see this therapeutic rapidly advance into Phase II clinical testing.”
EGEN-001 inhibits cancer growth by stimulating the immune system and is the first clinical use of a non-viral IL-12 gene therapy approach for treating ovarian cancer. The product, formulated using the company’s proprietary TheraPlas(TM) technology, is composed of interleukin-12 gene expression plasmid and a biocompatible delivery polymer. EGEN-001 is designed to increase the local concentration of interleukin-12, a potent anti-cancer cytokine. Unlike standard chemotherapeutic agents, the IL-12 cytokine is known for its ability to inhibit cancer growth by stimulating the immune system.
Expression Genetics is nearing completion of a Phase I clinical study evaluating EGEN-001 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Baylor College of Medicine in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. The FDA has granted EGEN-001 orphan-drug status for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
About Expression Genetics, Inc.
Expression Genetics, Inc. (EGEN), with laboratories and headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama, is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and infectious diseases. The Company specializes in the delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids (DNA and RNAi) and proteins aimed at specific disease targets. The Company has a significant intellectual property position in biocompatible polymers, their combination with DNA, and their therapeutic applications.
Safe Harbor for Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release may be deemed to be forward looking statements under federal securities laws and Expression Genetics intends that such statements be subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Expression Genetics does not undertake an obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual events or results may differ from our expectations as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to uncertainties in clinical trials and product development programs, ability and success level of the Company in securing adequate capital for operations, market place acceptance of any resulting product and other factors common to biotechnology research and development. There can be no guarantee that any product will be successfully developed.
Expression Genetics, Inc.
CONTACT: Bruce Hovanes, Investor and Media Relations of ExpressionGenetics, Inc., +1-256-512-0077, ext. 202
Web site: http://www.egencorp.com/