VGX Pharmaceuticals today announced that it has been granted U.S. Patent number 7,238,522 covering its DNA plasmid manufacturing technology. The patent entitled, “Device and Methods for Biomaterial Production” represents the first to issue of a series of applications related to VGX’s novel approach to DNA plasmid manufacturing.
“We are very pleased to have been granted this patent as it further differentiates our proprietary plasmid manufacturing and recovery process,” stated Dr. J. Joseph Kim, President and CEO of VGX. “We believe that VGX’s patented lysis and harvest process offers an efficient and cost-effective technology for producing DNA plasmids, particularly at large scale where conventional approaches are inefficient or just not feasible.”
VGX has established a flexible, purpose-built cGMP facility used for research, development, and clinical supply at its Texas manufacturing site. In addition to manufacturing DNA plasmids for its own product development needs, VGX offers contract manufacturing services to outside client organizations. The cGMP facility has passed rigorous reviews by several regulatory agencies worldwide.
The second patent, US 7,241,744 covers methods and approaches to treat anemia. The patent entitled, “Treating Anemia in Subjects by Administration of Plasmids Encoding Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)” is part of a broad patent estate covering GHRH sequences and applications. VGX is presently developing the GHRH technology in the areas of cancer cachexia and anemia, and the first clinical studies are planned for early 2008.
About VGX Pharmaceuticals
VGX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company with small molecule and biologic product candidates for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. The Company’s clinical development programs include PICTOVIR™ for HIV infection, which is in Phase II clinical trials, and PENNVAX™-B, a DNA vaccine for HIV infection, which is in 2 separate Phase I clinical trials. The Company’s lead compound for inflammatory diseases, VGX-1027, is also in Phase I clinical trials. VGX’s research pipeline includes a new generation of SynCon™ DNA vaccines and therapeutics as well as the CELLECTRA™ electroporator, a patented DNA delivery device. The product candidates and technology programs are protected by the Company’s extensive global intellectual property portfolio. More information about VGX can be found at www.vgxp.com.
About VGXI Inc.
VGXI Inc. is a leading provider of DNA plasmid manufacturing and development services for DNA vaccine and gene therapy research. The Company has an outstanding track record of success in manufacturing plasmid products under cGMP conditions for client companies’ clinical studies in the US and Europe, and its cGMP and non-cGMP products have passed rigorous reviews by several international regulatory agencies. VGXI’s ability to work with unique requirements and create custom manufacturing solutions is based on its patented manufacturing process, flexible cGMP production facility, and experienced development team. The recently announced research and pre-clinical production services extend the range of high-quality, research grade materials utilizing the same efficient service. This rapid turnaround program provides consistent materials to build a reliable pre-clinical dataset. For information, visit 66.147.244.119/~vgxiico2
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