Altea Therapeutics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sign CRADA for Evaluating Novel Approaches to the Delivery of Influenza Vaccines.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers TUCKER, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 2003 Altea Therapeutics announced today that it has entered into a 2 year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement “CRADA” redirects here. For other uses, see CRADA (disambiguation). A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) is an agreement between a government agency and a private company to work together. (CRADA CRADA Cooperative Research And Development Agreement ) with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. (CDC See Control Data, century date change and Back Orifice. CDC - Control Data Corporation ) to evaluate the Altea Therapeutics PassPort(TM) delivery system for the delivery of influenza antigens to immune cells near the skin surface. Under the Agreement, scientists at the CDC and at Altea Therapeutics will evaluate the use of the PassPort system to deliver influenza protein and gene-based antigens to induce, augment and/or broaden the overall protective immune response immune response n. An integrated bodily response to an antigen, especially one mediated by lymphocytes and involving recognition of antigens by specific antibodies or previously sensitized lymphocytes. to influenza viruses of similar or different subtypes. Work performed under the CRADA will evaluate this novel vaccine delivery strategy in animal models. Principal investigators for the CRADA are Rick Bright, Ph.D., leader of Altea Therapeutics vaccine project, and Jacqueline Katz, Ph.D., Immunology Section Chief of the Influenza Branch at the CDC, who states, "We are pleased to work with Altea Therapeutics on the feasibility of delivering influenza vaccine influenza vaccine Flu vaccine A vaccine recommended for those at high risk for serious complications from influenza: > age 65; Pts with chronic diseases of heart, lung or kidneys, DM, immunosuppression, severe anemia, nursing home and other chronic-care into the skin without the use of needles. This approach has great potential for improving the efficacy and compliance of influenza vaccination." According to the CDC, approximately 10% to 20% of U.S. residents get influenza each year, with an average of about 36,000 deaths and 114,000 hospitalizations per year resulting from influenza, with elderly adults particularly susceptible. Although current influenza vaccines are 70% to 90% effective in preventing symptoms in young, healthy individuals, the vaccine effectiveness can be as low as 30% to 40% in the elderly. "The skin has remarkable potential for vaccine inoculation," stated Dr. Eric Tomlinson, Chief Executive Officer of Altea Therapeutics. "The epidermis possesses a potent immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. , rich in Langerhans cells Langerhans cells, n.pl the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. - antigen presenting cells key in creating an immune response. Intramuscular injections currently in use for influenza vaccines typically deliver vaccine to the muscle tissue. The Altea Therapeutics PassPort system has the potential for delivering vaccines directly into the region of the epidermis where they will have the greatest impact." About Altea Therapeutics Altea Therapeutics is a private Company developing innovative medicines in collaboration with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. The Company uses its proprietary PassPort(TM) system to deliver protein and peptide drugs, small-molecule drugs, genes and vaccines from a skin patch skin patch, transdermal patch, or transdermal delivery system, adhesive patch used to deliver a controlled dose of a drug through the skin over a period of time. , to improve therapeutic utility and eliminate the need for invasive and painful needle injections. The Company is currently conducting Phase 1 clinical trials phase 1 clinical trial Phase 1 study. See Phase study. in the U.S. for AT1391, a daily skin patch to achieve continuous basal levels of insulin for patients with diabetes, and for AT1022, a hydromorphone skin patch designed to provide rapid and sustained delivery of a potent opiate opiate /opi·ate/ (o´pe-it) 1. any drug derived from opium. 2. hypnotic (2). o·pi·ate n. 1. for the management of severe pain. Founded in 1998, Altea Therapeutics completed its Series B equity financing Equity Financing The act of raising money for company activities by selling common or preferred stock to individual or institutional investors. In return for the money paid, shareholders receive ownership interests in the corporation. of $17 million in November 2002 with Domain Associates, Venrock Associates and vSpring Capital as new investors. Please visit www.alteatherapeutics.com for further information. About the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States. PassPort(TM) is a trademark of Altea Therapeutics Corporation. Any other trademarks referred to belong to their respective owners. The statements in this press release regarding the products of Altea Therapeutics in development, product development plans, and projected financial results, are forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, Altea Therapeutics ability to complete the design, development, and manufacturing process development of its products, manufacture and commercialize its products, obtain product and manufacturing approvals from regulatory agencies, manage its growth and expenses, finance its activities and operations, as well as marketplace acceptance of Altea Therapeutics products. |
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