Introgen Announces Publication of Research Showing Activity of INGN 241 Combined with Velcade
AUSTIN, TX, October 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
(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® (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®, 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
Email: c.burke@introgen.com
