AVI BioPharma Presents New Antisense Drug Delivery Data at Pharmaceutical Conference Focused on Unmet Medical Needs.Health/Medical Writers PORTLAND, Ore.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 16, 2000 Study Shows Effectiveness of AVI's Proprietary Antisense antisense, DNA or RNA manipulated in a laboratory so that its components (nucleotides) form a complementary copy of normal, or "sense," messenger RNA (mRNA; see nucleic acid). Compound When Administered Transdermally Scientists from AVI BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII) (Nasdaq:AVIIW) (Nasdaq:AVIIZ) in collaboration with the University of Nebraska, presented data last week that demonstrates AVI's NEUGENE(R) antisense compounds are effective when administered transdermally, i.e., through the skin. Rhonda M. Brand from the University of Nebraska presented the research at the 2000 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists annual meeting, titled "Unmet Medical Needs: Therapies for a New Millennium." In the study, the topically applied NeuGene antisense compound, AVI-3172, penetrated the dermal dermal /der·mal/ (der´mal) pertaining to the dermis or to the skin. der·mal or der·mic adj. Of or relating to the skin or dermis. layers of the skin, entered the circulation, and inhibited the function of the liver enzyme that was targeted. The targeted liver enzyme, cytochome P450, regulates the metabolism of most drugs in current use. As a result, this topically applied NeuGene compound showed promise in enhancing the effectiveness of many currently approved drugs, including cancer drugs like Taxol(R) among many others. "We're very excited about the implications of these results, and we have already taken steps to test this delivery method in humans," said AVI's CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Denis Denis, king of Portugal: see Diniz. R. Burger, Ph.D. "We started GMP GMP (guanosine monophosphate): see guanine. manufacturing of this NEUGENE agent and expect to begin human clinical trials early in 2001. Our goal is to bring to market a topically applied antisense product that will enhance the therapeutic benefits of both a broad range of drugs now in clinical use and of other drugs in development." The study was designed to explore whether passive transdermal delivery of NeuGenes would alter expression of cytochrome cytochrome (sī`təkrōm'), protein containing heme (see coenzyme) that participates in the phase of biochemical respiration called oxidative phosphorylation. P450 3A2 (CYP CYP In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Cyprus Pound. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 3A2) messenger RNA in the liver. CYP 3A2 is a liver enzyme that regulates metabolism of about 60 percent of all FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. approved drugs. The data demonstrated that topical delivery led to concentrations that were sufficient to alter gene expression. "Transdermal delivery, such as is used in the familiar nicotine patch to help individuals stop smoking, is an excellent way to administer a therapeutic agent because it is easy for patients to use and typically results in more favorable absorption than with oral or injected routes," said AVI's Senior Vice President of Research and Development Patrick Iversen, Ph.D. "When you couple more efficient absorption with cytochrome P450 targeting, the result is to improve the disease-fighting capabilities of a broad range of drugs. In the case of drugs like Taxol, the potential result is better anti-cancer activity with fewer side effects." More than 7,500 pharmaceutical scientists attended the meeting, held in Indiana. Further details on the conference are available at www.aaps.org/annualmeet/2000.html. AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases using two technology platforms: cancer immunotherapy and gene-targeted drugs. Its lead clinical agent, AVICINE(TM), a therapeutic cancer vaccine, is undergoing a Phase II trial in pancreatic cancer, and will soon enter a Phase III pivotal trial in colorectal cancer and a Phase II trial in prostate cancer. The first application of its NEUGENE compounds, Resten-NG, is designed to treat cancer, cardiovascular restenosis and other cell proliferation disorders by inhibiting the production of a cellular transcription factor, the oncogene oncogene Gene that can cause cancer. It is a sequence of DNA that has been altered or mutated from its original form, the proto-oncogene (see mutation). Proto-oncogenes promote the specialization and division of normal cells. c-myc. Resten-NG is currently in Phase II trials for cardiovascular restenosis. More information about AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) A Windows multimedia video format from Microsoft. It interleaves standard waveform audio and digital video frames (bitmaps) to provide reduced animation at 15 fps at 160x120x8 resolution. Audio is 11,025Hz, 8-bit samples. is available at http://www.avibio.com. "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. The statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the results of research and development efforts, the results of pre-clinical and clinical testing, the effect of regulation by the FDA and other agencies, the impact of competitive products, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. |
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