Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - Tuesday October 17, 2000
The first award advances Progenics' efforts to develop a safe and effective vaccine against HIV infection. The two-year grant supports the production and testing of new vaccine candidates in monkeys and other animals. Compared with experimental HIV vaccines developed to date, the new vaccines more faithfully mimic the active form of the viral envelope glycoproteins gp120 and gp41, which allow the virus to penetrate and infect host cells. The vaccines exploit recent discoveries by Progenics' scientists and their collaborators at Weill Medical College of Cornell University (New York City). Additional collaborators on the project include Tulane Regional Primate Research Center (New Orleans, LA) and AlphaVax, Inc. (Durham, NC).
The first SBIR grant will fund a two-year project to develop cost-effective methods for the manufacture of PRO 542, Progenics' most clinically advanced HIV therapy. PRO 542 is a novel antibody-like molecule that neutralizes the virus and prevents it from attaching to and infecting host cells. The project will optimize the production of PRO 542 in the milk of transgenic dairy animals and is a collaboration with Genzyme Transgenics Corporation, a recognized leader in the field of transgenic technology.
The second SBIR award will fund a two-year project to explore the breadth, potency, and durability of PRO 140 therapy in laboratory and animal models of HIV infection. PRO 140 is a monoclonal antibody against the CCR5 fusion co-receptor used by the virus to enter target cells. Entry inhibitors represent a promising new class of HIV therapeutic agents. The project is a collaborative effort between Progenics, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and Scripps Research Institute (La Jolla, CA).
The research contract supports a complementary HIV vaccine strategy. The one-year award provides funding for production and preclinical testing of novel gp120 subunit vaccines that are modified to further improve the production of virus-neutralizing antibodies.
"We are honored to receive these NIH awards," said Paul J. Maddon, M.D., Ph.D., Progenics' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The HIV programs being pursued by Progenics with its academic and industrial partners are on the leading edge of innovation in the field and NIH's continued funding provides much appreciated recognition of the high caliber of our collaborations."
Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and commercialization of products for the treatment and prevention of cancer, viral, and other life-threatening diseases. The Company's lead HIV product, PRO 542, has completed two Phase I/II clinical trials, and two follow-on HIV products, PRO 367 and PRO 140, are preparing to commence Phase I/II trials. Progenics also has collaborations with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd in the area of HIV fusion co-receptors, and with American Home Products and Pharmacopeia, Inc. focusing on HIV attachment and fusion. The Company's most advanced product, GMK, is a cancer vaccine in pivotal Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of malignant melanoma. A second cancer vaccine, MGV, with broad application to a variety of cancers, is entering Phase II trials. GMK and MGV are being developed in collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. The Company, with Cytogen Corporation, has formed a joint venture focusing on the development of cancer immunotherapies based on PSMA (Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen) technology. The Company is also developing a novel small-molecule antioxidant, DHA, to treat stroke and other disorders.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. When Progenics uses the words "anticipates," "plans," "expects" and similar expressions, the Company is identifying forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause Progenics' actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the uncertainties associated with product development, the risk that clinical trials will not commence when or proceed as planned, the risks and uncertainties associated with dependence upon the actions of Progenics' corporate, academic and other collaborators and of government regulatory agencies, the risk that products that appeared promising in early clinical trials do not demonstrate efficacy in larger-scale clinical trials, the uncertainty of future profitability and other factors set forth more fully in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, Progenics cannot assure you that the Company's HIV programs will result in a commercial product. Progenics does not have a policy of updating or revising forward-looking statements, and thus it should not be assumed that the Company's silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.
Editor's Note: Additional information on Progenics is available at http://www.progenics.com.
This release is available on the Internet at http://www.noonanrusso.com
Contact: Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Noonan/Russo Communications, Inc. Ronald J. Prentki Renee Connolly, President Media 914-789-2800 212-696-4455 ext. 227 e-mail: rprentki@progenics.com e-mail: renee@noonanrusso.com
SOURCE: Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
001017
PR001015
Copyright © 2000 - PRNewswire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through PRNewswire, Permissions, 810 Seventh Ave., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10019 http://www.prnewswire.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, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. 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, 2000. 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. .