Altea Forms Collaboration with Elan to Develop Certain DNA Vaccine and Gene Therapy Products.

Health/Medical Writers

ATLANTA--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 16, 2000

Altea Genomics Inc. (Altea) Wednesday announced that it has entered into an agreement with Elan Corporation, Plc. and certain affiliates forming a joint venture company to develop up to five products utilizing Altea's non-invasive MicroPor(TM) technology and Elan's formulation technology. The primary product focus is DNA vaccines and gene therapy.

Altea's patented MicroPor(TM) technology creates microscopic pores in the outermost dead layer of skin cells, opening tiny pathways to the underlying viable tissues. Altea has demonstrated delivery of physiologically relevant amounts of peptides and proteins in pilot clinical studies with compounds such as insulin and parathyroid hormone (1-34).

In addition, Altea has demonstrated delivery of macromolecules up to 2 million daltons. The system enables needleless administration of biotechnology products with delivery profiles that can be tailored as desired for different applications, e.g., a steady infusion of the drug, or a bolus delivery as required.

This technology enables convenient, controllable transdermal delivery of these macromolecular drugs, which is not possible with other non-invasive systems. Furthermore, the MicroPor(TM) system allows delivery of DNA vaccines to the epidermal layer of the skin, in the vicinity of the Langerhans or dendritic cells, which are important for antigen presentation and the immune response.

"We are delighted to have entered into this collaboration with Elan," commented Deborah Eppstein, Ph.D., Altea's chairman and chief executive officer. "Elan is a world leader in the development and commercialization of innovative products using novel drug delivery systems.

"Altea's technology allows biotechnology drugs, such as DNA vaccines or gene therapy products, to be conveniently delivered to patients without use of a needle or other invasive methods. By teaming with Elan, our new joint venture company will be able to leverage Altea's MicroPor(TM) technology with the formulation expertise of Elan to efficiently develop these products."

John Devane, Ph.D., executive vice president of research and development, Elan Pharmaceutical Technologies, said, "Elan is very excited to be now working with Altea in the area of enhanced delivery into the skin and to be in a position to advance the delivery, in particular of DNA based therapy, by this novel route of administration."

Under the agreement, the new joint venture company will develop up to five products, focusing on DNA delivery. Products under consideration include DNA vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer, encompassing preventative as well as therapeutic vaccines depending on the application.

The new company will seek pharmaceutical partners for certain products, and under some situations, Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc. may market certain products.

Altea is a member of the privately held family of companies developing the MicroPor(TM) technology for drug delivery applications, including delivery of vaccines and gene therapy products by Altea Genomics; and delivery of peptides and proteins, as well as small molecules requiring rapid and on-demand onset of action, such as pain medications by Altea Development Corp.

The non-invasive monitoring applications of the MicroPor(TM) technology are licensed to SpectRx Inc. (NASDAQ: SPRX), who is developing the glucose monitoring products with Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT).

Note Regarding Projections and Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995, including Altea's beliefs, expectations, hopes, or intentions regarding the future. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to Altea as of such date.