HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Expression Genetics, Inc. (EGEN) announced today that the company’s novel TheraPlas(R) cancer drug has been selected as one of the Top 10 most promising oncology products in development available for strategic partnering. The selection was made by an independent committee assembled by Windhover Information, a leading provider of business information products and services to senior executives in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries.
“Selected companies have been screened using a strict set of judging criteria for the Top 10 award and represent what our committee considered the most attractive oncology opportunities the industry has to offer,” said Roger Longman, Managing Director of Windhover Information. “Winners have met rigorous criteria including: unmet medical need, market potential, diversity of indications, strong science, multi-level partnering opportunities (biotech and pharma), potential for new opportunities beyond initial indications, and corporate stability.”
“We are honored that Windhover has recognized the potential of EGEN-001 to address serious unmet needs in cancer treatment,” said Dr. Danny H. Lewis, president and chief executive officer of Expression Genetics. “With its unique profile, proprietary delivery system technology, and results to date, EGEN-001 has demonstrated ability to address a number of tumor types and represents a potentially important new approach to treat a wide range of cancers. We look forward to continuing our efforts to advance this promising product compound through clinical development.”
The selection committee was led by Marc Wortman, Ph.D., contributing writer to Windhover’s In Vivo and Start Up, and a team from Campbell Alliance, a leading business development strategy consulting firm. Drawing on the analytic resources of these organizations, the group evaluated hundreds of compounds currently in development for the treatment of cancer prior to selecting EGEN-001 to be among the top ten most attractive oncology products available for strategic partnering.
As a selected company, Expression Genetics has been invited to present data on EGEN-001 TheraPlas(R) IL-12 oncology product at Windhover’s Therapeutic Area Partnerships conference on November 3-5, 2008, in Philadelphia, PA.
About EGEN-001 TheraPlas(TM) Oncology Product
EGEN-001 is under development for the treatment of advanced recurrent ovarian cancer, as well as other local or disseminated solid tumors. The product is based on proprietary TheraPlas(R) delivery technology. It is composed of an interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene expression plasmid and a biocompatible delivery polymer. IL-12 is a potent cytokine which works by multiple mechanisms of action to enhance the body’s immune system against cancer and inhibit tumor blood supply. EGEN-001 has completed a Phase I monotherapy trial with promising results and is currently in the final stage of a Phase IA trial designed to evaluate safety and preliminary efficacy of the drug when administered in combination with conventional chemotherapy treatment. EGEN-001 received Orphan Drug Status from the FDA in 2005 and a $1 million FDA Orphan Grant in 2007.
About Windhover
Windhover Information Inc., an Elsevier company, has led the field in providing analysis of the healthcare industry to decision-makers at all levels since the founding of its flagship publication, IN VIVO, The Business & Medicine Report, in 1983. Windhover provides its information and analysis in many formats, including print, electronic databases, international conferences and webinars. For more on the company’s products and services, please see www.windhover.com
About Expression Genetics, Inc.
Expression Genetics, Inc. (EGEN), is a privately held biopharmaceutical company specializing in nucleic acid (DNA and RNAi) delivery and therapeutics aimed at specific disease targets. The Company, with laboratories and headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama, is focused on developing therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. The Company has a significant intellectual property position in biocompatible polymers, their novel compositions with nucleic acids, and their therapeutic applications. EGEN has research pipeline products aimed at treatment of various cancers and cardiovascular disease involving siRNA, shRNA, tumor antigens, and angiogenic genes. EGEN has collaborations with outside investigators, biotech organizations and universities on various projects in these areas.
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 forward looking 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 in our pipeline will be successfully developed.
Further information about Expression Genetics can be found at: www.egencorp.com
CONTACT: Jim McCarthy, Sr. Vice President, Corporate Development, of
Expression Genetics, Inc., +1-256-327-0537
Web site: http://www.egencorp.com/
http://www.windhover.com/