$20 Million Transaction Will Target Treatment and Prevention of Oral Cancer
and Oral Premalignancies
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 4 /CNW/ -- Introgen Therapeutics,
Inc. (Nasdaq: INGN) today announced an alliance with Colgate-Palmolive Company
(NYSE: CL) to develop and potentially market oral health care products. The
terms of the alliance call for the development of specialized formulations of
Introgen's molecular therapies targeted at pre-cancerous conditions of the
oral cavity and oral cancer. Colgate-Palmolive has today purchased
$20 million of Introgen shares and has priority rights regarding products that
may be developed by the alliance.
Research and development activities in the alliance will be conducted by
Introgen and will focus on oral formulations of Introgen's molecular
therapeutics employing tumor suppressors such as p53, mda-7, and FUS1.
Introgen academic collaborators are conducting a phase 1/2 clinical study
using INGN 234, a mouthwash formulation delivering the p53 tumor suppressor
for oral cancer prevention in patients diagnosed with leukoplakia, a
pre-cancerous condition that can lead to oral cancer. Leukoplakia is usually
diagnosed by dentists and, according to the journal Practical Periodontics and
Aesthetic Dentistry, occurs in approximately 3 percent of the adult
population.
"We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to apply Introgen's molecular
agents to develop oral care products with Colgate-Palmolive," stated David G.
Nance, Chief Executive Officer of Introgen. "We believe future commercial
applications of therapeutic genes will include topical formulations such as
those developed for oral use under the alliance with Colgate. The tissues
lining the oral cavity may be particularly well suited and accessible targets
for molecular therapies that can arrest abnormal cell growth without harming
normal cells. We believe that repair of damaged cells and safe elimination of
malignant or pre-malignant cells from the mouth could represent important
therapies for dentists, oral health professionals and oncology specialists to
prevent and treat oral diseases. We expect to investigate new formulations of
oral rinses, gels or other topically applied products under the Colgate
alliance."
Excluded from the alliance with Colgate are Introgen's current portfolio
of cancer product candidates, i.e. ADVEXIN, INGN 241, INGN 225, and INGN 401.
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the
discovery, development and commercialization of targeted molecular therapies
for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Introgen is developing
molecular therapeutics, immunotherapies, vaccines and nano-particle tumor
suppressor therapies to treat a wide range of cancers and hyper-proliferative
disorders using tumor suppressors, cytokines, proteins and genes. Introgen
maintains integrated research, development, manufacturing, clinical and
regulatory departments and operates multiple manufacturing facilities
including a commercial scale cGMP manufacturing facility. For more
information on Introgen Therapeutics, or for a menu of archived press
releases, please visit Introgen's Website at: http://www.introgen.com
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be
"forward-looking" statements, including those relating to Introgen's future
success with its clinical development program for treatment of cancer or other
diseases and the development by Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. of its molecular
therapies targeted at oral cancer and pre-cancerous conditions of the oral
cavity in connection with the alliance with Colgate-Palmolive. The actual
results may differ from those described in this release due to risks and
uncertainties that exist in Introgen's operations and business environment,
including Introgen's stage of product development and the limited experience
in the development of gene-based drugs in general, dependence upon proprietary
technology and the current competitive environment, history of operating
losses and accumulated deficits, reliance on collaborative relationships, and
uncertainties related to clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of
Introgen's product candidates, the ability to obtain the appropriate
regulatory approvals, Introgen's patent protection and market acceptance, as
well as other risks detailed from time to time in Introgen's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including its filings on Form 10-K and Form
10-Q. Introgen undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any
revisions to any forward-looking statements that reflect events or
circumstances arising after the date hereof.
Contact:
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
C. Channing Burke
(512) 708 9310 Ext. 322
Email: c.burke@introgen.com
