Targeted Genetics' Collaborators Present Preclinical Data on AAV
Technology and Inflammatory Disease at the 8th Annual Meeting of the American
Society Of Gene Therapy
ST. LOUIS and SEATTLE, June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Targeted Genetics
Corporation (NASDAQ:TGEN) announces that its academic collaborators will
present results of preclinical studies designed to evaluate adeno-associated
virus (AAV) vectors in the treatment of inflammatory disease and periodontal
disease and to assess cellular vectors that impact the efficiency of AAV-
mediated gene delivery. The data will be presented in four abstracts at the
8th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene Therapy in St. Louis, MO.
"Through our focused research programs, we are enhancing our ability to develop
innovative AAV-based therapies," said H. Stewart Parker, president and chief
executive officer of Targeted Genetics. "The data presented today support our
existing product development program in the area of inflammatory disease,
highlight the utility of AAV-based therapies in new indications such as
periodontal disease and delineate some of the molecular and cellular factors
that impact the efficiency of AAV vectors to deliver and express genes for
therapeutic effect. These studies highlight our commitment to focusing our
research efforts through the lens of product development activities. We
believe that this is the best way to advance our innovative pipeline of product
candidates toward commercialization." In an oral abstract session, Dr. John F. Engelhardt, Professor, Department of
Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
and Director for the UI Center for Gene Therapy, will present abstract #399
titled, "rAAV2 Movement Through the Late and Recycling Endosomes Is Influenced
by Titer of Infection." This study provides new information on the
relationship between the number of AAV vectors introduced into a given cell and
the cellular localization of those particles. Information gained through this
study may help to optimize dosing and administration regimens for AAV-based
therapies.
Dr. Engelhardt also will present abstract #498 titled, "Adeno-Associated Virus
Type-1 Vectors Efficiently Transduce Polarized Airway Epithelia without
Polarity Bias" and abstract #499 titled, "Species-Specific Differences in the
Polarity of rAAV5 and rAAV2 Transduction of Mouse and Human Airway Epithelia."
These studies compared alternative serotypes to determine their ability to
deliver and express genes in mice and humans. Results of this study provide
insight into the most effective vectors for both preclinical and clinical
evaluation.
In another poster session, Dr. William V. Giannobile, Najjar Professor of
Dentistry and Director Michigan Center for Oral Health Research, Associate
Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Clinical Research
Center, will present abstract 677 titled, "Gene Delivery of TNFR:Fc by Adeno-
Associated Virus Vector Blocks Progression of Periodontitis." This pilot study
used AAV to deliver the TNFR:Fc transgene to periodontal lesions in mice. The
study demonstrates that AAV-based delivery of TNFR:Fc blocks progression of
periodontitis, a chronic disease that causes severe inflammation and may lead
to bone loss.
For more information about the 8th Annual Meeting of the American Society of
Gene Therapy, please refer to http://www.asgt.org/.
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.
Investor and Media Contact:
Stacie D. Byars
Director, Communications
Targeted Genetics Corporation
206-521-7392
DATASOURCE: Targeted Genetics Corporation CONTACT: Stacie D. Byars, Director, Communications, of Targeted Genetics Corporation, +1-206-521-7392 Web site: http://www.targetedgenetics.com/
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