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DVAX - initiates Phase 1 lupus trial

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Dynavax-Initiates-Proof-iw-3193593644.html?x=0

Dynavax Initiates Proof of Mechanism Trial in Lupus Patients

Milestone Payment From GSK Earned

BERKELEY, CA--(Marketwire -12/20/11)- Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: DVAX - News) announced today the initiation of a proof-of-mechanism clinical trial of the TLR7 and TLR9 inhibitor, DV1179, in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Initiation of this trial entitles Dynavax to receive a $6 million milestone payment from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) under their worldwide strategic alliance. GSK has an exclusive option to obtain a license to the program following completion of this trial.

The first of two stages of the trial will evaluate ascending doses of DV1179 for safety and tolerability in SLE patients, each of whom will receive eight weekly injections of DV1179. The second stage of the trial will evaluate DV1179's mechanism of action via inhibition of type 1 interferon by enrolling additional SLE patients in selected dose groups. DV1179 was previously shown to be well-tolerated in a Phase 1 trial in healthy subjects.

"To begin the evaluation of DV1179 in lupus patients is an important achievement for Dynavax," said Tyler Martin, M.D., President and Chief Medical Officer at Dynavax. "Excessive production of type 1 interferons is thought to be a critical factor in the pathogenesis of lupus. At the completion of this trial, we will be able to determine if DV1179 can reduce interferon levels in lupus patients."

About Dynavax's TLR Inhibitors

Dynavax's TLR inhibitors are a novel class of oligonucleotides, called immunoregulatory sequences (IRS), that specifically inhibit the TLR-induced inflammatory response associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Preclinical data from animal model studies show Dynavax's TLR inhibitors block induction of IFN-alpha and also reduce symptoms in animal models of multiple autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, inflammatory skin disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis. The National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD and the Alliance for Lupus Research contributed funding for Dynavax's preclinical work.

Peer-Reviewed Publications Document Program's Potential

In December, 2010, Dynavax reported in the JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE (JEM, Volume 207, page 2931) data that suggested an important role of the key innate immune receptors TLR7 and TLR9 in a novel mouse model of skin conditions similar to cutaneous lupus. The company's inhibitor of TLR7 and TLR9 prevented and reversed disease suggesting therapeutic application of the inhibitor for the treatment of cutaneous lupus and related skin conditions.

In the June 16, 2010 issue of NATURE, data demonstrated in both human blood cells and animal models of lupus that glucocorticoid resistance characteristic of lupus could be mediated through TLR7 and TLR9 and could be reversed by Dynavax's TLR7/TLR9 inhibitor. Glucocorticoids are commonly used for the treatment of many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, but the high doses required for effective treatment of lupus lead to significant side-effects and restrict the utility of these drugs.

About Dynavax

Dynavax Technologies Corporation, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, discovers and develops novel products to prevent and treat infectious and inflammatory diseases. The Company's lead product candidate is HEPLISAV™, a Phase 3 investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine designed to provide rapid and superior protection with fewer doses than current licensed vaccines. For more information visit www.dynavax.com.