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Integral Molecular Announces Key Patent Issued on Lipoparticle Technology for Deriving High Concentrations of Cell-free Membrane Proteins. |
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| PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Integral Molecular, Inc. today announced the issuance of a key patent covering its technology for deriving high concentrations of membrane proteins. The patent, issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, covers the core composition of Integral Molecular’s Lipoparticle technology, a novel cell-free format for deriving highly-concentrated membrane proteins for antibody development, drug discovery, and biomedical research. Integral membrane proteins, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels, comprise about a third of existing drug targets, and Lipoparticles provide a means of isolating and characterizing antibodies and drugs against these proteins. Lipoparticle technology stems from research conducted at the University of Pennsylvania and published in the journals Science, PNAS, and Journal of Virology. |
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Preparation of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA) and Poly(Ethylene Oxide) (PEO) Nanoparticles as Carriers for Gene Delivery. |
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INTRODUCTION New nanoparticulate blend compositions based on poly(D,L lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) derivatives have been designed as transmucosal gene carriers. These nanosystems benefit from the inherent biodegradability and low toxicity of their components and the mild conditions required for their preparation. In addition, specific advantages of these nanoparticles for in vivo gene delivery are (1) their adequate DNA loading capacity, (2) their ability to control the release of the encapsulated DNA for extended periods of time while preserving its delicate conformational structure as well as its biological activity, and (3) their capacity to overcome the nasal mucosa barrier and transport the associated model DNA vaccine, leading to a significant systemic immune response against the encoded protein. This protocol describes the preparation and characterization of DNA-loaded nanoparticles composed of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and PEO and the use of these particles as transmucosal gene delivery carriers.
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Vical Reports Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results and Progress in Key Programs. |
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SAN DIEGO, Aug. 3, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vical Incorporated ( VICL - news - people ) (Nasdaq:VICL) today reported financial results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010. Revenues decreased to $2.1 million for the second quarter of 2010 from $4.0 million for the second quarter of 2009, primarily as a result of a $1.5 million milestone payment in 2009 from Merck & Co. ( MRK - news - people ), Inc., based on Merck's ongoing Phase 1 clinical-stage development of an investigational cancer vaccine. Operating expenses increased to $10.6 million for the second quarter of 2010 from $9.8 million for the second quarter of 2009. The net loss was $8.4 million, or $0.15 per share, for the second quarter of 2010, compared with $6.0 million, or $0.14 per share, for the second quarter of 2009.
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Electroporation enhances immune responses and protection induced by a bovine viral diarrhea virus DNA vaccine in newborn calves with maternal antibodies. |
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Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is one of the major pathogens in cattle. In this study, newborn calves with maternal antibodies were vaccinated with a BVDV DNA vaccine, either by conventional intramuscular (IM) injection or with the TriGrid Delivery System for IM delivery (TDS-IM). The calves vaccinated with the TDS-IM developed more rapidly and effectively BVDV-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in the presence of maternal antibodies. Overall, the immune responses induced by delivery with the TDS-IM remained stronger than those elicited by conventional IM injection of the BVDV DNA vaccine. Accordingly, electroporation-mediated delivery of the BVDV DNA vaccine resulted in close to complete protection from clinical signs of disease, while conventional IM administration did not fully prevent morbidity and mortality following challenge with BVDV-2. These results demonstrate the TDS-IM to be effective as a delivery system for a BVDV DNA vaccine in newborn calves in the presence of maternal antibodies, which supports the potential of electroporation as a delivery method for prophylactic DNA vaccines. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Efficient delivery of DNA vaccines using human papillomavirus pseudovirions. |
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We have examined non-replicative human papillomavirus (HPV) pseudovirions as an approach in the delivery of naked DNA vaccines without safety concerns associated with live viral vectors. In this study, we have generated HPV-16 pseudovirions encapsidating a DNA vaccine encoding the model antigen, ovalbumin (OVA) (HPV16-OVA pseudovirions). Vaccination with HPV16-OVA pseudovirions subcutaneously elicited significantly stronger OVA-specific CD8+ T-cell immune responses compared with OVA DNA vaccination via gene gun in a dose-dependent manner. We showed that a single amino acid mutation in the L2 minor capsid protein that eliminates the infectivity of HPV16-OVA pseudovirion significantly decreased the antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in vaccinated mice. Furthermore, a subset of CD11c+ cells and B220+ cells in draining lymph nodes became labeled on vaccination with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled HPV16-OVA pseudovirions in injected mice. HPV pseudovirions were found to infect bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro. We also showed that pretreatment of HPV16-GFP pseudovirions with furin leads to enhanced HPV16-OVA pseudovirion infection of BMDCs and OVA antigen presentation. Our data suggest that DNA vaccines delivered using HPV pseudovirions represent an efficient delivery system that can potentially affect the field of DNA vaccine delivery.Gene Therapy advance online publication,
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DermaVir Presented at 7th Int Conf on Nanosciences/Nanotech |
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 Immunacia’s Genetic Immunity Presents DermaVir at the 7th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies – A Unique DNA Nanomedicine for Therapeutic HIV Vaccine
Budapest, Hungary and McLean, VA – 12 July, 2010 – Julianna Lisziewicz, PhD, President of Genetic Immunity, a biopharmaceutical company developing nanomedicine-based immunotherapies, is an invited speaker at this week’s 7th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies in Ouranoupolis Halkidiki, Greece. The conference gathers front-line researchers, scientists and industry experts specialized in nanotechnology applications. Leading experts such as Dr. Lisziewicz are invited to present lectures covering the latest research in this rapidly progressing field. Dr. Lisziewicz has been invited to present the Company’s development of DermaVir, the first nanomedicine-based therapeutic vaccine for HIV/AIDS, on Tuesday, July 13th. |
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Aldevron licenses HyperGRO™ DNA manufacturing technology from Nature Technology Corporation. |
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Fargo, ND (July 27, 2010) Aldevron, a biotechnology company, has licensed the HyperGRO™ DNA production processes from Nature Technology Corporation (NTC) for use in Aldevron’s clinical manufacturing programs.
According to Michael Chambers, President and CEO of Aldevron, “We are very excited to have access to Nature’s HyperGRO™ technology. By working together, Aldevron and NTC can provide our clients’ with better options for clinical-grade manufacturing.“ NTC’s HyperGRO™ processes will be combined with Aldevron’s downstream purification technology to manufacture DNA vaccine and gene therapy products. The result will be a very high-yielding DNA production process that will allow Aldevron to manufacture larger amounts of DNA for an increased number of applications.
After collaborating with NTC for several years, our testing and evaluation indicates that NTC’s HyperGRO™ plasmid purification processes provide some of the best yields and highest purity for many applications while also maintaining the fidelity and integrity of the plasmid. This will address client requirements for dramatically increased product yield and purity at a very competitive cost. |
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Immunologic Response to Xenogeneic gp100 DNA in Melanoma Patients |
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Immunologic Response to Xenogeneic gp100 DNA in Melanoma Patients: Comparison of Particle-Mediated Epidermal Delivery with Intramuscular Injection.
Purpose: Prior studies show that i.m. injection of xenogeneic orthologues of melanosomal antigens (tyrosinase, gp100) induces CD8+ T-cell responses to the syngeneic protein. To further define the optimal vaccination strategy, we conducted a pilot clinical trial comparing i.m. injection with particle-mediated epidermal delivery (PMED). |
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Application of Electroporation in DNA Vaccination Protocols. |
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Vaccination is historically one of the most important methods for preventing infectious diseases in humans and animals. Due to recent advances in understanding the biology of the immune system, a more rational design of vaccines and vaccination strategies such as those based on gene transfer has been proposed. In particular, naked DNA vaccination is emerging as a promising approach for introducing foreign antigens into the host, inducing protective immunity against infectious diseases and malignant tumours. Plasmid DNA vaccines offer several advantages in comparison to traditional vaccines such as safety, tolerability and feasibility in manufacture. Nevertheless, because of their poor immunogenicity, plasmid DNA vaccines need further implementation. Recent data suggest electroporation as a useful strategy to improve DNA-based vaccination protocols, being able to stimulate both the humoural and cellular immune responses. In preclinical trials, electroporation is successfully used in prime-boost combination protocols and its efficacy and tolerability have been demonstrated in Phase I clinical trials. Since these initial results appear promising, in the next future we will assist further developments of naked DNA vaccination associated to the electroporation technology. This approach not only provides the basis for human studies but also a practical application to veterinary medicine.
Source: Current Gene Therapy, Volume 10, Number 4, August 2010 , pp. 281-286(6).
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Immunogenicity and Persistence of a Targeted Anti-caries DNA Vaccine. |
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We have previously reported that a targeted anti-caries DNA vaccine, pGJA-P, induced accelerated and increased antibody responses compared with a non-targeted anti-caries DNA vaccine. Recently, pGJA-P/VAX, a new targeted anti-caries DNA vaccine for human trials, was constructed by replacing the pCI vector used in the construction of pGJA-P with pVAX1, the only vector authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration in clinical trials. Here, we report on our exploration of the kinetics of the antibody responses generated following pGJA-P/VAX immunization and the persistence of pGJA-P/VAX at both the inoculation site and the draining lymph nodes. Intranasal vaccination of mice with pGJA-P/VAX induced strong antibody responses that lasted for more than 6 months. Furthermore, pGJA-P/VAX could still be detected at both the inoculation site and the draining cervical lymph nodes 6 months after immunization. Thus, the persistent immune responses are likely due to the DNA depot in the host, which acts as a booster immunization.
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Immunacia’s Genetic Immunity Reports Phase II Data on DermaVir, |
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Immunacia’s Genetic Immunity Reports Phase II Data on DermaVir, a Therapeutic Vaccine for HIV/AIDS, During the XVIII International AIDS Conference: A 70% Viral Load Reduction Demonstrated in HIV Drug-naïve Individuals
BUDAPEST, Hungary & MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genetic Immunity, a US/Hungarian biopharmaceutical company developing nanomedicine-based immunotherapies for HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases, is releasing Phase II data on the Company’s novel DermaVir therapeutic vaccine for HIV/AIDS during the XVIII International AIDS Conference this week in Vienna, Austria. DermaVir, the first dendritic cell-targeting topical HIV vaccine candidate, employs nanotechnology to induce multi-faceted and long-lived immune responses capable of eliminating HIV infected cells.
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