Genteric Awarded Fifth Patent for Gene Therapy Delivery; New Patent Adds the Pancreas and Solidifies Genteric's Gene Delivery Coverage to the Gastrointestinal Organs.Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--July 11, 2001 Genteric Inc. a private biotechnology company focused on providing a new generation of gene therapy and protein drug delivery technology, announced today it has been awarded U.S. Patent 6,255,289 for a method of delivering a protein into the bloodstream via the pancreas. The patent, entitled Gene Therapy by Secretory secretory /se·cre·to·ry/ (se-kre´tah-re) (se´kre-tor?e) pertaining to secretion or affecting the secretions. se·cre·to·ry adj. Relating to or performing secretion. Gland Expression, covers the delivery of naked DNA Naked DNA is histone-free DNA that is passed from cell to cell during a gene transfer process called transformation or transfection. In transformation, purified or naked DNA is taken up by the recipient cell which will give the recipient cell a new characteristic or phenotype. encoding any gene using either viral or non-viral vectors. The patent promises to provide an engineered gene to the pancreas, which manufactures the encoded protein and secretes it into the patient's bloodstream thereby producing the desired therapeutic effect. "This patent expands Genteric's core position in gene delivery to gastrointestinal organs, and illustrates the effectiveness of our technology," said Roland Scollay, Ph.D., Genteric's vice president of research and chief scientific officer. "The patent covers the retroductal application of gene vectors to the pancreas, which enables localized gene delivery without systemic toxicity. The pancreas, like the liver and salivary glands salivary glands (săl`əvâr'ē), in humans, three pairs of glands that secrete the alkaline digestive fluid, saliva, into the mouth. , is organized around a central duct, providing a highly efficient access to the target tissue, and eliminating the need to place the gene vector into the bloodstream. This anatomical feature is a key element of Genteric's approach to simple and safe gene therapy." "This is the fifth patent awarded to Genteric for our gastrointestinal gene delivery platforms," said Martin D. Cleary, president and chief executive officer of Genteric. "The broad coverage of this patent, combined with our existing patents covering the salivary gland salivary gland Any of the organs that secrete saliva. Three pairs of major glands secrete saliva into the mouth through distinct ducts: the parotid glands (the largest), between the ear and the back of the lower jaw; the submaxillary glands, along the side of the lower jaw; , liver and our recently issued "Gene Pill" patent for oral gene therapy greatly enhances our position as a leader in the field of gene therapy." The Genteric method overcomes many of the challenges associated with conventional gene delivery technology. Conventional delivery of therapeutic genes to patients involves an injection directly into the bloodstream or tissue. This direct injection method has several barriers, including: 1) difficult and inefficient gene delivery to target cells; 2) unpredictable and quickly diminishing gene activity; and 3) adverse reactions adverse reactions, n.pl unfavorable reactions resulting from administration of a local anesthetic; responsible factors include the drug used, concentration, and route of administration. from the patient's 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 the vector, or "vehicle," used to deliver the genes. About Genteric, Inc. Established in 1997, Genteric is a privately held biotechnology company, which owns exclusive rights to several proprietary technology platforms invented at both the San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden and Davis campuses of the University of California The University of California has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students, over 1,340,000 living alumni, and a combined systemwide and campus endowment of just over $7.3 billion (8th largest in the United States). . The company has pioneered new methods of gene-based drug delivery that employ the secretory organs of the patient's gastrointestinal system gastrointestinal system: see digestive system. to produce and release therapeutic proteins into the bloodstream. The company encourages inquiries regarding licensing and partnering opportunities for its technologies. For additional information, please visit Genteric's web site at www.genteric.com. |
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