Idera Pharmaceuticals Scientists Co-Author Paper on Preclinical Data of Investigational Cancer Vaccine
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA), a biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of DNA- and RNA-based drug candidates targeted to Toll-like Receptors (TLR), today announced the publication of a paper entitled "Treatment of Mammary Carcinomas in HER-2 Transgenic Mice through Combination of Genetic Vaccine and an Agonist of Toll-like Receptor 9" in Clinical Cancer Research (2009, 15, 1575-84) co-authored by scientists from Idera and Merck & Co., Inc. The paper describes a preclinical study evaluating a TLR9 agonist as a vaccine adjuvant in combination with a HER-2/neu plasmid DNA electroporation/adenovirus vaccine candidate.
In this preclinical study, a novel TLR9 agonist was evaluated for its ability to enhance the effects of a HER-2/neu plasmid DNA electroporation/adenovirus vaccine. In a tumor model the combination of HER-2/neu genetic vaccine and TLR9 agonist showed potent antitumor activity associated with antibody isotype switch and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity activities.
"Under our collaboration with Merck, we have created novel agonists of TLR7, 8 and 9 for use as adjuvants in candidate vaccines for cancer, infectious diseases and Alzheimer's disease. We are pleased with this demonstration that an agonist of TLR9 enhances the activity of an investigational genetic cancer vaccine in preclinical studies," commented Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Idera.
About the Collaboration
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. entered into an exclusive license and research collaboration agreement with Merck & Co., Inc. in December 2006 to research, develop and commercialize vaccine products containing Idera's agonist compounds targeting TLRs 7, 8, and 9 in the fields of oncology, infectious diseases and Alzheimer's disease. As part of the agreement, the two companies engaged in a two-year research collaboration to generate novel agonists targeting TLR7 and TLR8 incorporating both Merck and Idera chemistry for use in the licensed fields. In November 2008, Merck extended its research collaboration with Idera for an additional year.
About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Idera Pharmaceuticals develops drug candidates to treat infectious diseases, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases, and for use as vaccine adjuvants. Our proprietary drug candidates are designed to modulate specific Toll-like Receptors, which are a family of immune system receptors that direct immune system responses. Our pioneering DNA and RNA chemistry expertise enables us to create drug candidates for internal development and generates opportunities for multiple collaborative alliances. For more information, visit www.iderapharma.com.
Idera Forward Looking Statements
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