Alfacell Receives New U.S. Patent and Broadens Relationship With the National Cancer Institute -NCI-; New Patent Protects Gene Sequences of Company's Proprietary Ribonucleases.Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers BLOOMFIELD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2001 Alfacell Corporation (OTCBB OTCBB See OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB). : ACEL ACEL Australian Council for Educational Leaders (Australia) ACEL Aerospace Crew Equipment Laboratory ACEL Alternating Current Electro-Luminescent ), a leader in the development of ribonucleases for therapeutic applications, today announced that it has been granted a new U.S. patent (no. 6,175003-B1) further broadening its intellectual property protection. The new patent protects the gene sequences of ONCONASE(R) and another uniquely engineered variant, thus preventing competitors from commercially infringing on the Company's proprietary technology. The patent, entitled "Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids The cellular molecules DNA and RNA that act as coded instructions for the production of proteins and are copied for transmission of inherited traits. Encoding Ribonucleases and Methods of Making Them" is in effect until 2019. In view of the recent advances made in elucidating the human genome, this patent opens new prospects for developing specific gene-therapy approaches using Alfacell's technology. "This is Alfacell's first patent that protects genes rather than proteins. The recombinant gene products can be designed to facilitate `targeted' drug delivery to the tumor sites," said Kuslima Shogen, the Company'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. . "This patent underscores the fact that ribonucleases constitute an extraordinary technological platform with great potential for the development of a new generation of a broad-spectrum of anti-cancer as well as other biopharmaceuticals." Alfacell and NCI See Liberate. Broaden Research and Development Relationship Alfacell has also broadened its research and development relationship with the NCI. The two will be working together to link single-chain antibody gene sequences to Alfacell's flagship product ONCONASE. Under the new CRADA CRADA Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (collaborative research and development agreement), Alfacell and NCI will identify and select proteins appropriate for fusion with ONCONASE for the selective targeting of a variety of tumor types. The biological anti-tumor properties of these fusion proteins will be evaluated in vitro in vitro /in vi·tro/ (in ve´tro) [L.] within a glass; observable in a test tube; in an artificial environment. in vi·tro adj. In an artificial environment outside a living organism. and in vivo using appropriate tumor cell lines and animal models. The goal of this collaboration is to develop a new generation of "targeting" anti-cancer agents. About NCI NCI is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research. About Alfacell Corporation Alfacell Corporation is a leader in the development of ribonucleases for therapeutic applications. Alfacell can be found on the World Wide Web at www.alfacell.com. |
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