Cytogenix (fka CYGX)

[arnold]

July 11, 2007 02:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time
VGX Pharmaceuticals Announces Issuance of Two Key U.S. Patents Covering DNA Plasmid Manufacturing Technology and the Treatment of Anemia
BLUE BELL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VGX Pharmaceuticals today announced that it has been granted U.S. Patent number 7,238,522 covering its DNA plasmid manufacturing technology. The patent entitled, "Device and Methods for Biomaterial Production" represents the first to issue of a series of applications related to VGX's novel approach to DNA plasmid manufacturing.

"We are very pleased to have been granted this patent as it further differentiates our proprietary plasmid manufacturing and recovery process," stated Dr. J. Joseph Kim, President and CEO of VGX. "We believe that VGX’s patented lysis and harvest process offers an efficient and cost-effective technology for producing DNA plasmids, particularly at large scale where conventional approaches are inefficient or just not feasible.”

VGX has established a flexible, purpose-built cGMP facility used for research, development, and clinical supply at its Texas manufacturing site. In addition to manufacturing DNA plasmids for its own product development needs, VGX offers contract manufacturing services to outside client organizations. The cGMP facility has passed rigorous reviews by several regulatory agencies worldwide.

The second patent, US 7,241,744 covers methods and approaches to treat anemia. The patent entitled, “Treating Anemia in Subjects by Administration of Plasmids Encoding Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)” is part of a broad patent estate covering GHRH sequences and applications. VGX is presently developing the GHRH technology in the areas of cancer cachexia and anemia, and the first clinical studies are planned for early 2008.

About VGX Pharmaceuticals

VGX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company with small molecules and biologics product candidates for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer and inflammatory diseases. The Company's clinical development programs include PICTOVIR™ for HIV infection and VGX-410C for chronic HCV infection, both of which are currently in Phase II clinical trials. In addition, VGX is planning to initiate Phase I clinical studies for VGX-1027, its lead compound for inflammatory diseases. VGX's research pipelines include new generation of DNA vaccines and therapeutics as well as CELLECTRA™, a proprietary DNA delivery device. The product candidates and technology programs are protected by the Company's extensive global intellectual property portfolio. More information about VGX can be found at www.vgxp.com.

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=NEWS_VIEW_POPUP_TYPE&newsId=...