CytoGenix Announces Results of Simplivir™ CY301 Herpes Cream Pre-Clinical Animal Study
Houston, TX, (March 2, 2005) Cytogenix, Inc. (CYGX: OTC: BB)
CytoGenix, Inc. (CYGX: OTC: BB) announced today that a pre-clinical animal study has demonstrated that Simplivir™ (CY301) reduced the size of herpes lesions compared to placebo. In this study, Simplivir™ was applied to herpes infected skin of guinea pigs twice daily for three days.
The treatment with 0.1% Simplivir™ resulted in a reduction in the total lesion area when compared to placebo. A trend toward a reduction in the amount of herpes virus was observed as well. Simplivir™ activity in this pilot study is encouraging and additional studies to optimize the dose and timing of therapy will follow.
Herpes is a public health problem of major significance in the United States and worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that 45 million people ages twelve and over test positive for the type of herpes most often affecting the genital area. Active lesions from herpes infections can have catastrophic effects on newborn children and are a major risk factor for the transmission of other diseases such as AIDS.
Dr. Malcolm Skolnick, CytoGenix President and CEO, commented, "This is the first in a series of in-life proof-of-principle data we expected based on our earlier observations in cell culture where Simplivir™ reduced viral titer load up to 500-fold. These data extend the validation of CytoGenix' proprietary delivery method for topical administration of plasmid DNA-based therapeutics."
CytoGenix, Inc. is a Houston-based biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets innovative products and services based on its proprietary ssDNA expression technology. The company has developed a breakthrough synthetic process for large-scale production of high purity DNA at fraction of the cost of traditional fermentation methods. CytoGenix currently has one issued US patent and over 48 international or US pending patent applications claiming methods and materials in connection with this platform technology.
SAFE HARBOR: Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, risks associated with the acceptance of new products, competition, and other factors more fully detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional information about CytoGenix and its technology can be found on the website at www.cytogenix.com.
Contact: CytoGenix, Inc., Communications Director - Juan Ferreira, (407) 774-9949