Significant advances related to the development of Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.'s novel anti- cancer product candidate, INGN 007 (VRX 007) were presented at the 12th International Conference on Gene Therapy of Cancer, which was held in San Diego. INGN 007, which Introgen licensed from VirRx, Inc. earlier this year, is a proprietary, engineered adenovirus with multiple cancer killing properties. New data related to the development of novel animal models of cancer in which to test the potential efficacy and safety of INGN 007 were presented by Introgen's collaborator, Dr William SM Wold, founder and CEO of VirRx and chairman of the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at St Louis University School of Medicine.

The study, titled "Adenovirus oncolytic vectors that overexpress ADP," reviewed previously presented data on oncolytic viruses and described the production of novel animal models that allow these viruses to be tested in a setting that more accurately reflects human cancer.

Dr Wold said, "Oncolytic viruses have demonstrated significant potential in the treatment of cancer, and provide a new focus for drug development efforts. Having generated a robust body of proof-of-concept data in existing animal models, we now have the tools we need to advance this promising technology more quickly toward the clinic. With the model we presented the animals retain a functioning immune system and also permit infection by and replication of these novel adenoviral vectors. We believe that this model will further our understanding of how oncolytic viruses may be used to treat cancer in humans."

Studies of tumour responses to oncolytic viruses to date have been conducted in mice that lack a functioning immune system. These models allow human tumours to be implanted into the mice without stimulating the mouse immune system to attack the implanted tissue. Oncolytic viruses have demonstrated a powerful ability to suppress tumour growth in these models. However, mouse cells do not support replication of these adenoviral vectors and the lack of a functioning immune system makes it difficult to draw direct parallels between effects observed in these models and potential effects in human cancers.

INGN 007 (VRX-007) is a replication competent adenovirus vector that over-expresses an adenoviral gene (ADP) that causes rapid disruption (oncolysis) of tumour cells in which it replicates. The ability to overexpress the ADP gene sets this technology apart from other existing oncolytic viruses and has been shown to provide a powerful antitumour effect. Introgen holds an exclusive license to this technology from VirRx. INGN 007 and related vectors have been genetically engineered to increase their safety. In addition, some vectors incorporate certain genetic features that permit the vectors to replicate selectively in tumour cells. Additionally, some of these vectors have been further modified by the addition of genes that specifically kill cancer cells. These vectors have been extensively tested in cell and animal models and shown to be very highly active in killing tumour cells.

Introgen is a leading developer of biopharmaceutical products designed to induce therapeutic protein expression using non-integrating gene agents for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Introgen maintains integrated research, development, manufacturing, clinical and regulatory departments and operates a commercial-scale, CGMP manufacturing facility.