Medgenics Reports Positive Data with Second-Generation Viral Vectors at European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Congress
October 27 2013 - 6:00AM
Business Wire
Second-generation gene therapy vectors
demonstrate improved levels and durability of therapeutic protein
secretion in vitro and in vivo
Plans to initiate confirmatory human trials in
the first half of 2014
Medgenics, Inc. (NYSE MKT:MDGN and AIM:MEDU, MEDG),
developer of a novel technology for the sustained production and
delivery of therapeutic proteins in patients using their own
tissue, announces that new, positive data on the Company’s
second-generation viral vectors were highlighted in a poster
presentation at the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy
Congress. The poster in its entirety can be viewed at
www.medgenics.com.
Entitled “Second generation EPODURE Biopump™ markedly extends
duration of EPO delivery in mice could prolong therapeutic effect
in patients,” the poster was presented yesterday by Reem Miari, MSc
and Dr. Nir Shapir of Medgenics, and study authors. This new study
showed that the Company’s second-generation gene therapy vectors
provided substantial improvements in levels and durability of
therapeutic protein secretion in vitro and in vivo. In addition,
the new vectors incorporated improvements in surgical technique,
including co-administration of Depo-Medrol® (methylprednisolone
acetate) on implantation. More specifically, when Depo-Medrol was
applied to second generation vectors, animals serum hEPO levels
remained 40-50 fold higher for over 100 days post implantation when
compared to first generation vector with no Depo-Medrol.
The Company plans to initiate human trials with a Biopump
containing the second generation viral vector and new implantation
protocol in the first half of 2014.
“These new data are compelling and provide additional evidence
of our success in advancing the Biopump technology while improving
performance and handling,” said Dr. Garry Neil, Global Head R&D
at Medgenics. “The second-generation viral vectors show potential
to substantially increase the duration of the protein secretion of
the Biopump with enhanced surgical techniques. These advances can
be clinically meaningful, particularly for patients on chronic
protein therapy. Based on these results we plan to accelerate our
development work, and will advance the second-generation vectors
into human clinical trials.”
“We are delighted to have these preliminary data on our
second-generation Biopump presented at this prestigious scientific
meeting,” said Michael Cola, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Medgenics. “The Biopump technology platform, which produces
therapeutic proteins in the body using a small tissue explant from
the patient’s own skin, holds significant clinical opportunity in a
variety of indications. We are very encouraged by these data as the
enhanced viral vectors may improve the surgical procedure and
prolong the therapeutic effect in patients.”
About Medgenics
Medgenics is developing and commercializing Biopump™, a
proprietary tissue-based platform technology for the sustained
production and delivery of therapeutic proteins using the patient's
own tissue for the treatment of a range of chronic diseases
including anemia, hepatitis, among others. For more information,
please visit www.medgenics.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term is defined
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which
include all statements other than statements of historical fact,
including (without limitation) those regarding the company's
financial position, its development and business strategy, its
product candidates and the plans and objectives of management for
future operations. The company intends that such forward-looking
statements be subject to the safe harbors created by such laws.
Forward-looking statements are sometimes identified by their use of
the terms and phrases such as "estimate," "project," "intend,"
"forecast," "anticipate," "plan," "planning, "expect," "believe,"
"will," "will likely," "should," "could," "would," "may" or the
negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. All such
forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and
are subject to risks and uncertainties. Should any of these risks
or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the company's
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially
from those included within these forward-looking statements.
Accordingly, no undue reliance should be placed on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.
The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to
disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking
statements contained herein to reflect any change in the company's
expectations with regard thereto or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
As a result of these factors, the events described in the
forward-looking statements contained in this release may not
occur.
LHAAnne Marie Fields,
212-838-3777afields@lhai.com@LHA_IR_PRorAbchurch CommunicationsAdam
Michael/Joanne Shears/Jamie Hooper+44 207 398
7719jamie.hooper@abchurch-group.comorOriel Securities (NOMAD &
Joint Broker)Jonathan Senior/Giles Balleny+44 207710 7617orSVS
Securities plc (Joint Broker)Alex Brearley, +44 207 638-5600
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