DGAP-News: MOLOGEN AG: Consortium successfully concludes preclinical development of DNA vaccine against leishmaniasis
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MOLOGEN AG: Consortium successfully concludes preclinical development
of DNA vaccine against leishmaniasis
26.06.2012 / 12:26
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MOLOGEN AG: Consortium successfully concludes preclinical development of
DNA vaccine against leishmaniasis
- Expert panel confirms positive results
- Planning for phase I clinical studies begins
The LEISHDNAVAX consortium*, with MOLOGEN AG as a key partner has
successfully concluded the preclinical development of a MIDGE(R)-based
vaccine against leishmaniasis (MGN1331). Within the framework of the
project, the new human vaccine has been examined as to its efficacy and
safety in animal models, for prophylactic as well as therapeutic
applications. MGN1331 showed outstanding results.
The independent panel of experts that reviewed the results within the
framework of a final project symposium confirmed the very promising
results.
Reviewer Prof. Dr. N.K. Ganguly, former director of the Indian Council of
Medical Research and expert in immunology of tropical diseases, said in
this regard: 'The preclinical data presented by the consortium are
decidedly promising. In particular, the applicability to the prevention of
this dangerous disease means immense progress in the fight against
leishmaniasis.'
Prof. Simon Croft, project coordinator and Faculty Head at the London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, adds: 'Our joint objective to
develop an effective prevention vaccine for leishmaniasis that could also
be used therapeutically highly motivated all the consortium partners.
It is most gratifying for all the participants that the promising results
more than justify the hard work of the past three years.'
As one step of the preclinical development, first scientific meetings with
the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Paul-Ehrlich Institute have
taken place already, so that the planning of phase I clinical studies can
begin now. Possibilities for further subsidies are currently explored.
MOLOGEN AG: 'Within the framework of this project, our MIDGE(R) technology
showed, in an impressive way, what a powerful effect it has on a disease as
difficult to prevent and to treat as leishmaniasis. I thank all the
partners of the consortium for the good and so successful collaboration,'
remarks Dr. Matthias Schroff, Chief Executive Officer of MOLOGEN AG.
He adds, 'We now have another product candidate that is ready to enter the
clinical study phase. The product pipeline of MOLOGEN AG has made further
great progress in the first half of the year: outstanding clinical data
from the colorectal cancer study with MGN1703 and from the renal cancer
study with MGN1601. And now the successful conclusion of the preclinical
work on our leishmaniasis vaccine, MGN1331.'
The project was supported by the European Union to the amount of EUR 3
million as part of the Seventh Framework Program.
About leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a cluster of diseases caused by different species of
Leishmania parasites with diverse clinical manifestations, most of them
difficult to treat or even fatal if untreated.
On five continents, leishmaniasis occurs in tropical and subtropical
regions and has been classified by the WHO as a very important neglected
tropical disease. According to WHO (2010), approximately 350 million peopleare at risk of contracting leishmaniasis with an estimated number of two
million new cases per year. Recent epidemiological evaluations by WHO
resulted in an estimate of about 40,000 deaths caused by visceral
leishmaniasis annually. Among parasitic diseases, this rate is surpassed
only by malaria. Moreover, each year approximately 1.2 million people
develop cutaneous leishmaniasis.
About MGN1331
The DNA vaccine MGN1331 consists of a combination of MIDGE(R) vectors
encoding different Leishmania antigens. In animal models, promising
efficacy and a very good safety profile of MGN1331 has been shown.
In the field of biotechnology, transport vehicles for conveying nucleic
acids (mostly DNA) are called vectors. The MIDGE(R) technology developed by
MOLOGEN (MIDGE(R) stands for Minimalistic Immunologically Defined Gene
Expression) is also termed a DNA vector. However, unlike other DNA vectors
(plasmids, viruses), the MIDGE(R) vector contains only the information
necessary for the actual effect. Its minimalistic design ensures avoidance
of undesirable components often found in conventional vectors.
MIDGE(R) vectors form the basis for a broad spectrum of modern, DNA-based
applications. These vectors are designed with various characteristics that
are partly individualized and are exceptionally well suited for both gene
therapy for cancer and DNA-based vaccination against infectious diseases.
* The consortium:
- London School of Hygiene&Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
- Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Charite)
- Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis (IPT)
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI)
- Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRI-MS)
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi)
- MOLOGEN AG
End of Corporate News
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Language: English
Company: MOLOGEN AG
Fabeckstraße 30
14195 Berlin
Germany
Phone: 030 / 841788-0
Fax: 030 / 841788-50
E-mail: info(at)mologen.com
Internet: www.mologen.com
ISIN: DE0006637200
WKN: 663720
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München,
Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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