Vical Receives U.S. Patent for Cytomegalovirus Vaccines
02/16/2011
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SAN DIEGO, Feb. 16, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq:VICL) announced today the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,888,112 covering DNA vaccines for cytomegalovirus (CMV) containing specific gene sequences and formulated with Vical's Vaxfectin® adjuvant.
Past development by others of protein-based prophylactic CMV vaccines has focused on antibody-mediated immune responses against the CMV glycoprotein B (gB) antigen, which has achieved up to 50% protective efficacy. The new '112 patent covers DNA vaccines containing codon-optimized versions of genes encoding gB and CMV phosphoprotein 65 (pp65) antigens, formulated with Vical's Vaxfectin® adjuvant. It adds to Vical's family of patents in the United States and other key regions based on the company's discovery that administering genetic sequences such as DNA or RNA into the body, without the use of viral delivery vehicles, may cause expression of the proteins encoded by the genetic sequences. Vical has additional issued patents covering the composition and use of the Vaxfectin® adjuvant.
Vical's CyMVectinTM Prophylactic CMV Vaccine
Mothers who are infected with CMV during pregnancy can transmit the virus to the fetus, where it affects the development of the central nervous system. Congenital CMV is the leading infectious disease cause of birth defects in the United States, similar to rubella in the '40s and '50s before an effective vaccine was available. CMV-infected infants can be affected by blindness, deafness and mental retardation, and these consequences are frequently undiagnosed until the child reaches several years of age. Widespread vaccination of adolescent females has the potential to significantly reduce or even eliminate congenital CMV over time, and this market segment offers a significant commercial vaccine target. The successful launch of Merck's Gardasil® vaccine for the prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV), a primary cause of cervical cancer, has demonstrated the size and receptivity of the adolescent female vaccine market.
Targeting prevention of infection in females of child-bearing potential, Vical is developing CyMVectinTM, a prophylactic DNA vaccine encoding the CMV gB and pp65 antigens and formulated with Vical's Vaxfectin® adjuvant designed to enhance both antibody and T-cell responses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed the company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a Phase 1 trial of the CyMVectinTM vaccine, and Vical is exploring collaborative opportunities for further development and commercialization.
Vical's TransVaxTM Therapeutic CMV Vaccine
CMV affects 30% to 60% of patients undergoing transplant procedures, causing transplant rejection, serious illness and even death if untreated. Expensive and toxic antiviral drug therapy is used to control the disease, but does not eliminate the infection. There is no approved vaccine against CMV. Protein-based vaccines that predominantly result in antibody responses to CMV may have limited effectiveness in transplant patients. Live, attenuated vaccines can induce both antibody and cellular immune responses, but pose a potential safety concern, particularly for immunocompromised patients, of causing the disease they are intended to prevent.
For transplant patients, Vical is developing TransVaxTM, a therapeutic DNA vaccine encoding the CMV gB and the pp65 antigens, and formulated with a poloxamer designed to enhance primarily a cellular immune response. Vical's TransVaxTM vaccine has orphan drug designation for transplant patients. In September 2010, Vical announced encouraging results from a completed Phase 2 trial of the TransVaxTM vaccine in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplants. The company is currently meeting with regulatory authorities to confirm the design of a planned Phase 3 trial which is expected to begin in the second half of 2011.
About CMV
CMV is a herpes virus that infects more than half of all adults in the United States by age 40, and is even more widespread in developing countries. While a healthy immune system typically protects an infected person against CMV disease, it rarely succeeds in eliminating the infection, and those whose immune systems are not fully functional are at high risk of CMV reactivation, potentially leading to severe illness or death. Those at greatest risk include transplant patients and infants born to mothers who first become infected during pregnancy. Vical is pursuing two different vaccine approaches for these distinct market segments.
About Vical
Vical researches and develops biopharmaceutical products based on its patented DNA delivery technologies for the prevention and treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases. Potential applications of the company's DNA delivery technology include DNA vaccines for infectious diseases or cancer, in which the expressed protein is an immunogen; cancer immunotherapeutics, in which the expressed protein is an immune system stimulant; and cardiovascular therapies, in which the expressed protein is an angiogenic growth factor. The company is developing certain infectious disease vaccines and cancer therapeutics internally. In addition, the company collaborates with major pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies that give it access to complementary technologies or greater resources. These strategic partnerships provide the company with mutually beneficial opportunities to expand its product pipeline and address significant unmet medical needs. Additional information on Vical is available at www.vical.com.
The Vical Incorporated logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5768.
This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements include statements about the scope of coverage of and potential applications for Vical's patents, the potential uses and benefits of Vical's technologies and their potential application in vaccines against CMV, the CyMVectinTM prophylactic vaccine and the TransVaxTM therapeutic vaccine, as well as the company's focus, collaborative partners, and independent and partnered product candidates. Risks and uncertainties include whether Vical's issued patents will be challenged and whether such challenges will have an adverse effect on the scope or validity of the patents; whether Vical will pursue enforcement of its issued patents or be successful in any such enforcement efforts; whether Vical will successfully prosecute additional patent applications and if so, whether such applications will lead to the issuance of additional patents; whether Vical will enter into any development or commercialization collaborations for its CMV vaccine programs; whether Vical or others will continue development of CyMVectinTM, TransVaxTM or any other product candidates; whether the CyMVectinTM trial allowed by the FDA will be conducted; whether the TransVaxTM Phase 3 trial design will be allowed by regulatory authorities, and if so, whether the trial will begin in the second half of 2011, if at all; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will seek or gain approval to market TransVaxTM, CyMVectinTM, or any other product candidates; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will succeed in marketing any product candidates; and additional risks set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Alan R. Engbring
(858) 646-1127
Website: www.vical.com