SAN DIEGO, CA, June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Nventa Biopharmaceuticals Corporation (TSX: NVN - News) announced that the European Patent Office has granted Patent Number EP 941,315 to Nventa. The patent covers compositions of fusion proteins comprised of an influenza antigen fused to a heat shock protein (Hsp), as well as DNA encoding such fusion proteins.
“Our proprietary CoVal(TM) fusion proteins represent an exciting approach to developing a therapeutic treatment for a broad class of current and emerging strains of the influenza virus,” said Gregory M. McKee, President and Chief Executive Officer at Nventa. “We have generated promising preclinical data with our Hsp-influenza fusion protein candidate, which utilizes the highly conserved internal protein, NP, or nucleoprotein, to elicit a targeted cytotoxic T lymphocyte response against several flu strains.”
While several companies are working on prophylactic vaccines, Nventa is one of the few companies working on a treatment, or therapeutic vaccine, for influenza. There is worldwide concern today regarding a pandemic outbreak of influenza that could affect large populations around the world.
Nventa has already generated prototypes of Hsp fusion proteins with influenza antigens. These prototypes have shown activity in preclinical models that suggest their potential utility as a treatment for common and avian flu. In mice, these fusions have been shown to elicit T cell-mediated immune responses that recognize appropriate influenza antigens. This type of immune response has also been shown to produce the cytokine interferon gamma, which is known to have anti-viral activity.
About Influenza:
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Every year, 10 to 20 percent of Americans get sick with the flu (influenza). In the United States, approximately 25 percent of the population has flu-associated illness annually, leading to an average of 20,000 to 40,000 deaths per year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 35 to 50 million Americans come down with the flu during each flu season, which typically lasts from November to March.
About Nventa Corporation:
------------------------- Nventa is developing innovative therapeutics for the treatment of viral infections, with a focus on diseases caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The corporation is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NVN. For more information about Nventa, please visit the website located at www.nventacorp.com.
Contact: --------
Donna Slade Director, Investor Relations 6055 Lusk Boulevard San Diego, CA USA 92121 Dir: 858.202.4945 dslade@nventacorp.com
Source: Stressgen Biotechnologies Corp.
