NUREMBERG, Germany, May 16, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq:VICL) announced today that Vical is presenting on the company's TransVax™ therapeutic cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine, and its CMV research collaborators are presenting on new vaccine approaches for prevention of congenital CMV infection, both at the 13th International CMV/BetaHerpesvirus Workshop (Nuremberg, Germany – May 14-17).
Richard T. Kenney, M.D., Vical's Vice President of Clinical Development, is presenting an overview of clinical data from a completed Phase 2 trial and an outlook on potential endpoints for a planned Phase 3 trial of the company's TransVax™ therapeutic cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine for transplant recipients. Leading pediatric infectious disease researchers Stuart P. Adler, M.D., and Michael A. McVoy, Ph.D., of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), who are collaborating with Vical under a previously disclosed grant, are presenting an encouraging update on their initial results on novel CMV vaccine approaches for women of childbearing age.
About TransVax™
TransVax™ is a bivalent DNA vaccine containing plasmids (closed loops of DNA) encoding CMV pp65 and gB antigens for induction of both cellular and humoral immune responses. TransVax™ is formulated with a proprietary poloxamer-based delivery system. TransVax™ has received orphan drug designation in the United States for HCT and solid organ transplant patients.
About CMV
CMV is a herpes virus that infects more than half of all adults in the United States by age 40, and is even more widespread in developing countries. While a healthy immune system typically protects an infected person against CMV disease, it rarely succeeds in eliminating the infection, and those whose immune systems are not fully functional are at high risk of CMV reactivation, potentially leading to severe illness or death. Those at greatest risk include transplant patients and infants born to mothers who first become infected during pregnancy. Vical is pursuing two different vaccine approaches for these distinct market segments.
About Vical
Vical researches and develops biopharmaceutical products based on its patented DNA delivery technologies for the prevention and treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases. Potential applications of the company's DNA delivery technology include DNA vaccines for infectious diseases or cancer, in which the expressed protein is an immunogen; cancer immunotherapeutics, in which the expressed protein is an immune system stimulant; and cardiovascular therapies, in which the expressed protein is an angiogenic growth factor. The company is developing certain infectious disease vaccines and cancer therapeutics internally. In addition, the company collaborates with major pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies that give it access to complementary technologies or greater resources. These strategic partnerships provide the company with mutually beneficial opportunities to expand its product pipeline and address significant unmet medical needs. Additional information on Vical is available at .
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This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements include statements about Vical's technologies, the TransVax™ CMV vaccine, as well as the company's focus, collaborative partners, and independent and partnered product candidates. Risks and uncertainties include whether Vical or others will continue development of TransVax™ or any other product candidates; whether endpoints identified in or as a result of the Phase 2 trial will be acceptable to the relevant regulatory agencies; whether Phase 2 results will be predictive of results in any future studies; whether Vical or others will advance TransVax™ to Phase 3 testing; whether such testing, if conducted, will be successful; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will seek or gain approval to market TransVax™ or any other DNA-based human vaccine or therapeutic product candidates; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will succeed in marketing any product candidates; and additional risks set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Alan R. Engbring (858) 646-1127 Website: www.vical.com
