BALTIMORE, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Lentigen Corporation, a privately held biotechnology company focused on the manufacturing and development of lentiviral vectors, announced today that it has been named one of the top 100 innovators by Red Herring Magazine in their "Red Herring 100 North America" competition. The annual competition recognizes leaders within the technology community that demonstrate innovative qualities of management, financial performance and the ability to execute business strategy.
Dr. Boro Dropulic, Founder and CEO of Lentigen, said, "With so many excellent companies in the technological sector, it's an honor to have been selected. At Lentigen, we believe that lentiviral vector technology is key to the development of innovative genetic and biopharmaceutical products. We are determined to be the leading manufacturer and producer of lentiviral vectors by developing a core competency in research and by growing the company through strategic partnerships and collaborations."
In conjunction with the awards announcement, Lentigen will present at the Red Herring Spring 2006 CEO summit on May 25 in Monterey, California. A select group of 300 technology entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate developers will gather to learn about this next wave of disruptive technology companies.
About Lentiviral Vectors
Lentiviral vectors (LV) are vehicles that can deliver genes or RNAi into cells with up to 100% efficiency and stability. By comparison, other viral vector systems such as non-viral, adenoviral and adeno-associated viral vectors have been shown to achieve high, but not stable, gene delivery into cells or to deliver genes stably, but not efficiently (murine retroviral vectors).
Gene delivery is accomplished by the binding and fusing of the LV pseudotyped envelope protein to the target cell membrane. The LV RNA containing the gene or gene silencing sequence is then incorporated into the cell via reverse transcription creating a DNA complex. This complex enters the nucleus incorporating itself into the chromosomal DNA creating a stable molecule. The gene sequence is integrated in the chromosome and is copied along with the DNA during ongoing cell division.
About Lentigen Corporation
Lentigen Corporation is a privately owned biotechnology company focused on the manufacturing and development of lentiviral vectors using its proprietary gene delivery technology for a wide range of applications in biotechnology and medicine. Lentiviral vectors are highly adapted delivery vehicles that can transport genes or gene silencing sequences into cells with high efficiency and stability. Lentigen is positioning itself to become the leading provider of Lentiviral vector products and services for academic, government, biotechnology and pharmaceutical researchers. For further information, visit http://www.Lentigen.com .
Lentigen CorporationCONTACT: Greg Feulner, VP Business Development, Lentigen Corporation,+1-443-543-5318, greg.feulner@lentigen.com; Media Contact: GregoryTiberend, Richard Lewis Communications, Inc., +1-212-827-0020,gtiberend@rlcinc.com; Investor Contact: Tara Spiess of TS CommunicationsGroup, LLC, +1-914-921-5900, spiess@biotechirpr.com, both for Lentigen
Web site: http://www.Lentigen.com/
