CytoGenix and USAMRIID to Collaborate in Developing Biodefense synDNA(TM) Vaccines.HOUSTON -- CytoGenix, Inc. (CYGX.OB) announced today that it has entered into a 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 United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID, pronounced you-SAM-rid) is a military research institute for medicine based at Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland used for research of infectious disease that may have defensive applications against (USAMRIID USAMRIID United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (US DoD) ). Scientists from CytoGenix and USAMRIID, led by Dr. Connie Schmaljohn, intend to develop and test synDNA[TM] vaccines for the prevention of disease caused by the Ebola virus Ebola virus (ēbō`lə), a member of a family (Filovirus) of viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers. The virus, named for the region in Congo (Kinshasa) where it was first identified in 1976, emerged from the rain forest, where it survives in and several strains of equine encephalitis viruses. Dr. Malcolm Skolnick, CytoGenix Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Schmaljohn and the USAMRIID team at Fort Detrick. These disease targets are listed as Category A & B bioterrorism agents/diseases by the Centers for Disease Control. Data collected under this CRADA will help to demonstrate the validity of use of synDNA[TM] vaccines in rapid response platforms including the protection of our nation's military personnel, health providers and other first responders, as well as the general population against a spectrum of existing and emerging terroristic and other infectious diseases." CytoGenix, Inc. is a Houston-based biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets innovative products and services based on its proprietary synDNA(TM) production and ssDNA expression technology. The company has developed a breakthrough synthetic process for large-scale production of high purity DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. that can be made faster and cleaner than production using traditional fermentation methods and has developed a novel expression vector expression vector n. A vector, such as a plasmid, yeast, or animal virus genome, used to introduce foreign genetic material into a host cell in order to replicate and amplify the foreign DNA sequences as a recombinant molecule. that enables production of ssDNA sequences inside the cell. CytoGenix currently holds 11 granted patents and about 36 international or US pending patent applications claiming methods and materials in connection with these platform technologies. USAMRIID, located at Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the lead medical research laboratory for the U.S. Biological Defense Research Program, and plays a key role in national defense and in infectious disease Infectious disease A pathological condition spread among biological species. Infectious diseases, although varied in their effects, are always associated with viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites and aberrant proteins known as prions. research. The Institute's mission is to conduct basic and applied research on biological threats resulting in medical solutions (such as vaccines, drugs and diagnostics) to protect the warfighter. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel ma·te·ri·el or ma·té·ri·el n. The equipment, apparatus, and supplies of a military force or other organization. See Synonyms at equipment. Command. The information contained in this press release does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Government and no official endorsement should be inferred. SAFE HARBOR: Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, risks associated with the acceptance of new products, competition, and other factors more fully detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional information about CytoGenix and its technology can be found on the website at www.cytogenix.com. |
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