New Patent Covers Targeted Genetics' Approach to Increase
Carrying Capacity of AAV Vectors
SEATTLE, May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Targeted Genetics Corporation
(NASDAQ:TGEN) today announced the issuance of another patent related to the
Company's leading adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology platform. U.S. patent #6,897,045, titled "Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors," was issued to the
University of Iowa Research Foundation and is exclusively licensed to Targeted
Genetics. The patent covers the use of two AAV vectors to deliver DNA
sequences that, once inside a cell, are used to produce or regulate a single
protein. This approach allows AAV vectors to be used to deliver genes and
their regulatory sequences that ordinarily would be too large to fit inside a
single vector, expanding the potential applications of AAV-based gene delivery.
"We believe that the combined attributes of persistent expression and a good
safety profile make AAV vectors the vector of choice in the gene-transfer
treatment of a wide variety of chronic diseases and for the development of
viral vaccines," said Barrie J. Carter, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and
Chief Scientific Officer of Targeted Genetics. "To date we have been able to
address the size constraint of AAV vectors for our product development programs
by utilizing small promoter elements or by modifying DNA sequences to reduce
their size without affecting the protein that ultimately is produced. While
these approaches can be applied to some genes, the technology covered by this
patent significantly expands the potential application of AAV vectors by
providing a more flexible method to deliver genes and their associated
regulatory elements that are larger than the normal carrying capacity of these
vectors." "My laboratory focuses on understanding basic mechanisms of recombinant AAV
infection, including how AAV vectors enter cells, how the viral genome gains
access to the nucleus and how these genomes are used to make protein," said
John F. Engelhardt, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology,
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and Director for the UI Center
for Gene Therapy. "Much of what we learn through elucidating these pathways
may help to enhance the use of AAV vectors as delivery systems for treating a
variety of diseases." Dr. Engelhardt further stated, "In the case of this patent, we first recognized
that RNA processing provided an interesting mechanism to join together RNA
sequences derived from two different AAV vectors. We then engineered vectors
in a manner that causes this assembly to join two pieces of RNA that together
serve as a template for regulating a single protein. We recognized that this
approach is very powerful because it allows us to double the size of the genes
and their regulatory sequences that one can deliver with AAV vectors. We are
excited to be actively working with Targeted Genetics to apply this technology
toward the development of novel therapies genetic diseases and vaccines." About Targeted Genetics Targeted Genetics Corporation develops molecular medicines for the prevention
and treatment of acquired and inherited diseases. The Company has clinical
product development programs targeting AIDS prophylaxis and inflammatory
arthritis. The Company also has a promising pipeline of preclinical product
development programs focused on hyperlipidemia, congestive heart failure, and
Huntington's disease. For more information about Targeted Genetics, visit its
website at http://www.targetedgenetics.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995: This release contains forward-looking statements regarding our
intellectual property, research programs and clinical trials, our product
development and our potential development platforms including AAV vectors and
other statements about our plans, objectives, intentions and expectations. In
particular, the statements regarding the Company's pipeline and potential
application of this patent to any future product candidates are forward-looking
statements. These statements, involve current expectations, forecasts of future
events and other statements that are not historical facts. Inaccurate
assumptions and known and unknown risks and uncertainties can affect the
accuracy of forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect our actual
results include, but are not limited to, results of animal research are not
necessarily indicative of results in humans, the timing, nature and results of
our research, potential development of alternative technologies or more
effective products by competitors, our ability to obtain and maintain
regulatory or institutional approvals, our ability to obtain, maintain and
protect our intellectual property and our ability to raise capital when needed,
as well as other risk factors described in the section entitled "Factors
Affecting Our Operating Results, Our Business and Our Stock Price" in our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2005. You should
not rely unduly on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the
date of this release. We undertake no duty to publicly announce or report
revisions to these statements as new information becomes available that may
change our expectations. DATASOURCE: Targeted Genetics Corporation CONTACT: investors and press, Stacie D. Byars, Director, Communications of Targeted Genetics Corporation, +1-206-521-7392 Web site: http://www.targetedgenetics.com/
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