Introgen Announces Publication of Research Showing Promising Activity of INGN 241 Combined with Velcade in Ovarian Cancer
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 2, 2007 - Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:INGN) announced today the publication of data from a preclinical study demonstrating the combination of INGN 241, Introgen's mda-7/IL-24 cancer product candidate, and Velcade(R) (Bortezemib) resulted in increased tumor cell killing in human ovarian cancer cells. The results from the study appeared in an advanced on-line article in Cancer Gene Therapy and provide a new molecularly targeted approach to specifically destroy cancer cells. The research was performed in the laboratory of Dr. Rajagopal Ramesh, associate professor in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center."This study shows that prolonging expression and function of tumor suppressor therapies, such as INGN 241, results in increased destruction of cancer cells," said Dr. Ramesh. "Having discovered a fundamental facet of MDA-7 regulation advances the goal of being able to defeat ways that cancer cells survive, enabling us to outsmart them."
Study Results
Researchers identified the degradation pathway for the MDA-7 tumor suppressor protein that is the active component of INGN 241. They showed that co-administration of INGN 241 and Velcade, a known protein degradation inhibitor, further elevated MDA-7 protein levels and caused a significant increase in killing of ovarian cancer cells. Velcade is also known to prolong expression of other tumor suppressor proteins such as p53.
Late last year, Introgen announced the worldwide, exclusive license to a family of patent applications, one of which covers the combination of Introgen's tumor suppressor product candidates and proteasome inhibitors, which can increase therapeutic functionality, such as Velcade(R) (Bortezemib).
About INGN 241
INGN 241 utilizes the mda-7/IL-24 tumor suppressor and targets several key pathways that impact the development, growth and metastasis of cancer cells. INGN 241 has been shown to have potent anti-angiogenic activity and works by inhibiting the production of a key blood vessel growth protein termed vascular endothelial growth factor. INGN 241 is being tested in a Phase 2 clinical trial for patients suffering from advanced melanoma and in a Phase 3 clinical trial in combination with radiation therapy in solid tumors. Mda-7 was discovered in the laboratory of Dr. Paul B. Fisher, professor of clinical pathology at Columbia University. Introgen holds an exclusive worldwide sublicense to the Columbia University rights for all gene therapy applications from GlaxoSmithKline.
About Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of targeted tumor suppressors, a new class of therapies for the treatment of cancer. Introgen's technology delivers targeted molecular therapies that increase production of normal cancer-fighting proteins and cytokines. The Company is developing a proprietary pipeline of product candidates utilizing molecular biomarkers to identify patients most likely to benefit from its therapies which target central cancer-causing mechanisms. ADVEXIN(R), its lead product candidate, targets abnormal p53, a fundamental cancer defect present in over 50 percent of all tumors. Introgen is analyzing its phase 3 clinical trial for recurrent head and neck cancer using ADVEXIN as a monotherapy. The Company plans to complete regulatory filings in both the United States and in Europe by the end of 2007.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be "forward-looking" statements, including those relating to Introgen's future success with its INGN 241 clinical development program for treatment of cancer. The actual results may differ from those described in this release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in Introgen's operations and business environment, including Introgen's stage of product development and the limited experience in the development of gene-based drugs in general, dependence upon proprietary technology and the current competitive environment, history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, reliance on collaborative relationships, and uncertainties related to clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of Introgen's product candidates, the ability to obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals, Introgen's patent protection and market acceptance, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Introgen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Introgen undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements that reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
Editor's Note: For more information on Introgen Therapeutics, or for a menu of archived press releases, please visit Introgen's Website at: www.introgen.com.
Contact
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
C. Channing Burke, 512-708-9310, Ext. 322
c.burke@introgen.com
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