Genetronics builds United States patent portfolio for electroporation-assisted therapies.

Genetronics Biomedical Corporation (San Diego, CA), a late stage biomedical company primarily developing cancer therapies focused on improving the quality of life of patients treated for solid tumors, has been granted United States Patent 6,763,264, entitled, "Method of Treatment Using Electroporation Mediated Delivery of Drugs and Genes." This patent adds to the company's portfolio of claimed methods for carrying out electroporation in patient tissues. Specifically, it claims methods for in vivo delivery of a recombinant expression vector (DNA) or a pharmaceutical agent into tissue cells, and a method for the therapeutic application of electroporation to a patient to introduce macromolecules. This patent further expands and strengthens Genetronics' leading intellectual property portfolio in the area of electroporation-assisted medical therapies, with over 240 patents issued, allowed or pending.

"These new claims add to our already extensive intellectual property in the areas of cancer and gene therapy," said Avtar Dhillon, MD, president and CEO. "Electroporation significantly enhances cellular uptake of pharmacologically useful compounds and expression vectors such as DNA plasmids. With our novel cancer therapy, which is in pre-marketing trials in Europe and Phase III in the United States, the use of electroporation enhances the selective killing of cancerous cells in the treatment of solid tumors while preserving vital healthy tissue and organ function. In the area of gene therapy and DNA vaccines, electroporation avoids the problems that have been associated with viral vectors and other delivery mechanisms. With the continual building of our intellectual property position, we are enhancing our leading role in commercializing important new therapies addressing critical unmet medical needs."

Genetronics Biomedical is a late stage biomedical company focused on building an oncology franchise based on its proprietary electroporation therapy. The therapy targets a significant unmet clinical need: the selective killing of cancer cells and local ablation of solid tumors while preserving healthy tissue. The company is moving its lead product, the MedPulser

Electroporation Therapy System, through pre-marketing studies for head and neck cancer in Europe, where it has CE Mark accreditation, and a United States Phase III pivotal study for recurrent head and neck cancer. Merck, Chiron, the United States Navy, Vical and other partners are also employing Genetronics' electroporation technology, which enhances local delivery of drugs and DNA, in their developments of novel DNA vaccine and gene therapies. Genetronics is a leader in electroporation, with over 240 patents worldwide that are issued, allowed or pending.

Genetronics Biomedical Corporation

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