AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it has obtained a worldwide, exclusive license to a family of patent applications directed to combination therapy using ADVEXIN(R) with inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFr inhibitors), such as Erbitux(TM), Vectibix(TM), Tarceva(TM) and Iressa(TM). The family of patents was licensed to Introgen from The University of Texas System M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
This important technology is based on the discovery by scientists at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center that p53 and mda7 therapies can work synergistically with inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptors to arrest tumor growth. Preclinical studies have shown that this “double barrel” therapeutic approach results in an unexpectedly greater level of cancer cell death than when either therapy is used alone.
“Introgen is very encouraged by the results of preclinical studies combining these two agents,” said Robert E. Sobol, M.D., Introgen’s senior vice president of Medical and Scientific Affairs. “Combining ADVEXIN with EGFr inhibitors such as Erbitux, Vectibix or other such drugs represent a logical extension of our knowledge of cancer biology leading to improved cancer therapies. These agents are targeted to fundamental molecular defects that can inhibit tumors. Our clinical studies have shown enhanced clinical activity when ADVEXIN is administered in combination with traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. We look forward to expanding our programs to include this new exciting approach of combining biological therapies.”
“The regulatory implications of the combination of ADVEXIN and EGFr inhibitors are significant,” said Max W. Talbott, PhD, Introgen’s senior vice president of Worldwide Commercial Development. “In discussions with regulatory authorities, due to the unique efficacy mechanism of ADVEXIN and its minimal toxicity, we have been encouraged to consider development of combination therapeutic approaches utilizing ADVEXIN and the inhibitors.”
Dr. Talbott continued, “The results of our preclinical work, coupled with the recent agreement with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for the EGFr technology, should have a positive impact on ADVEXIN and follow-on product development plans both in the United States, as well as in the rest of the world.”
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted molecular therapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Introgen is developing molecular therapeutics, immunotherapies, vaccines and nano-particle therapies to treat a wide range of cancers using tumor suppressors and cytokines. Introgen maintains integrated research, development, manufacturing, clinical and regulatory departments and operates multiple manufacturing facilities including a commercial scale cGMP manufacturing facility.
Introgen holds licensing agreements with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to commercialize products based on licensed technologies, and has the option to license future technologies under sponsored research agreements. The University of Texas Board of Regents owns stock in Introgen. These arrangements are managed in accordance with M. D. Anderson’s conflict of interest policies.
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be “forward-looking” statements, including those relating to Introgen’s future success with its clinical development program for p53 or mda7 plus EGFr inhibitors for the treatment of cancer. The actual results may differ from those described in this release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in Introgen’s operations and business environment, including Introgen’s stage of product development and the limited experience in the development of gene- based drugs in general, dependence upon proprietary technology and the current competitive environment, history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, reliance on collaborative relationships, and uncertainties related to clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of Introgen’s product candidates, the ability to obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals, Introgen’s patent protection and market acceptance, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Introgen’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Introgen undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements that reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
Editor’s Note: For more information on Introgen Therapeutics, or for a menu of archived press releases, please visit Introgen’s Website at: www.introgen.com.
Editor’s Note: Erbitux is a registered trademark of ImClone Systems Inc.; Tarceva is a registered trademark of OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Iressa is a registered trademark of Astra Zeneca LTD; and, Vectibix is a registered trademark of Amgen.
Contact: Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. C. Channing Burke (512) 708 9310 Ext. 322 Email: c.burke@introgen.com
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
CONTACT: C. Channing Burke of Introgen Therapeutics, Inc., +1-512-708-9310Ext. 322, c.burke@introgen.com
Web site: http://www.introgen.com/
