Juvaris BioTherapeutics Inc, a private biotechnology company, has entered into a collaborative research agreement with Cell Genesys Inc using Juvaris' therapeutic immuno-stimulant platform in cancer models. The collaboration will encompass evaluation in preclinical studies of the combined use of Juvaris' cationic lipid-DNA complexes with certain of Cell Genesys' product candidates, according to a release.
Under terms of the agreement, Juvaris will provide its proprietary lipid-DNA complexes to be evaluated, under varying conditions by Cell Genesys researchers in specific tumour applications and test systems. The evaluation programme is anticipated to continue for 10-12 months, during which time stimulation of immune cells will be examined. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Activation of the human immune system to overcome ongoing disease, particularly cancer, has been a major goal of many immunotherapeutic approaches. In particular, the activation of the cellular arm of the immune system, particularly the development of cancer-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), is believed critically important for stabilizing and reversing cancer growth. Juvaris' JuvImmune technology has demonstrated potent immune enhancing capability in other preclinical studies, the release says.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to evaluate the combination of the Juvaris proprietary immunostimulant with certain of Cell Genesys' product candidates," said Martin D Cleary, co-founder, president and CEO of Juvaris. "I am delighted that we have a relationship with Cell Genesys, highly regarded in the immunotherapeutic cancer vaccine field, to evaluate these combined product technology platforms for important cancer applications," he added.
The JuvImmune product has been shown to be at least 50-times more potent at triggering innate immune activation and interferon release than current immune stimulants. Juvaris was recently issued Patent No. 6,693,086 titled "Systemic Immune Activation Method Using Nucleic Acid-Lipid Complexes" providing broad intellectual property coverage for the JuvImmune technology.
When combined with disease-specific antigens, the technology creates JuvaVax vaccines capable of activating substantial antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses, particularly induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Immunological responses elicited by the lipid-DNA complexes have been successfully demonstrated in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings in a variety of mammals including rodents, rabbits, cats, dogs and non-human primates.