BUSINESS WIRE; Tuesday, March 31, 1998
Known as HGTV43, Enzo's new medicine incorporates two proprietary technologies. The first involves the insertion of a piece of genetic material into blood cells in order to inhibit the growth of HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. This technology, known as genetic antisense, utilizes a "mirror image" of a gene, called an antisense molecule, to block the virus. The second technology is based on a novel vector designed to deliver the antisense molecule to the cell.
"We are pleased to begin human trials of Enzo's first therapeutic compound for the treatment of HIV," said Elazar Rabbani, Ph.D., Enzo's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "This trial brings to reality Enzo's therapeutic program, moving Enzo Therapeutics into a product development stage complimenting the progress in our two profitable divisions, Enzo Diagnostics and Enzo Clinical Labs."
A key aspect of Enzo's therapeutic approach has been the development of a proprietary gene delivery vector that has allowed the antisense medicine to be delivered with high efficiency to the nucleus of target cells. This vector has been constructed to deliver the anti-HIV genes to the proper cells and to specifically block the virus without affecting other cell functions. The vector was also designed to be invisible to the body's immune system, so as not to trigger an immune response in the patient.
The preclinical data for this trial were published in the Journal of Virology in May 1997 and showed that Enzo scientists, along with researchers from New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical School, were able to successfully use genetic antisense to produce human immune cells in the laboratory that were resistant to repeated challenges by HIV over a prolonged period.
In this Phase I trial, certain cells from HIV-infected patients will be treated with HGTV43 to determine its safety in humans. The goal of this therapeutic program is to render immune cells resistant to HIV-1 such that they will reproduce without becoming infected with the virus. It is anticipated that these resistant cells will multiply and create a population of HIV-1 resistant white blood cells in the patient's circulation.
The Company said it expects Phase 1 trials to get underway in a few months at the University of California, San Francisco.
Genetic antisense is based on an inserted gene that continually synthesizes the antisense molecule within the cell. This is in contrast to oligo antisense, where the antisense molecule is synthetically manufactured in the laboratory and has to be readministered repeatedly. The antisense approach offers a different attack on the HIV virus than is being addressed by current HIV drugs, such as protease inhibitors, that target the disease by inhibiting certain enzyme activities present in both the virus and in the cell. Genetic antisense is targeted specifically towards the virus and is designed not to affect cell function.
"Enzo's approach represents a promising new therapeutic direction," said Dean L. Engelhardt, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Enzo "and given the reported rate of resistance which seems to be developing among those individuals using current drug therapies, it could represent a vital new treatment. We believe that because of its specificity in targeting disease and its potential for low toxicity, this form of genetic medicine could become an important new medical tool with broad application."
Enzo Biochem is engaged in the research, development and manufacture of innovative health care products based on molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques, and in providing diagnostic services to the medical community.
--30--kvc/ny*
CONTACT: Barry Weiner, 212/583-0100 Steve Anreder, 212/421-4020
Copyright (c) 1998/BUSINESS WIRE. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, Business Wire, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036; Tel: (212) 575-8822; FAX: (212) 575-1854.
980331
BW980309
Copyright © 1998 - Business Wire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Business Wire, Permissions Desk, Business Wire, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036; Tel: (212) 575-8822; FAX: (212) 575-1854. http://www.businesswire.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1998. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .