Corautus Genetics Inc. enters into long term manufacturing agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim Austria GmbH
18 May 2005 -
Corautus Genetics Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim Austria GmbH announced that they have entered into a long term manufacturing agreement to produce VEGF-2 (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor 2) plasmid DNA for Phase III trials and future commercial use for the treatment of cardiovascular disease (severe angina) and other indications.
Richard E. Otto, Chief Executive Officer of Corautus, stated, "We are pleased to enter this agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim Austria as we look beyond our ongoing Phase IIb trial (GENASIS) and begin planning the Phase III trial and projected future commercialization of our therapeutic for severe angina. Both the Corautus team and the Boehringer Ingelheim Austria team have devoted considerable time and resources necessary to complete this important agreement. Since it is a multi-year commitment for each company, Boehringer Ingelheim Austria began the feasibility and GMP implementation activities several months ago in order to meet the projected timelines for a Phase III registration trial of the VEGF-2 therapeutic."
Corautus` cardiac therapy, which is considered regenerative medicine, seeks to treat the underlying causes of severe coronary artery disease through direct injection of VEGF-2 into ischemic cardiac muscle. Based on data from earlier clinical trials - Phase I and IIa have been completed - Corautus believes that when VEGF-2 is introduced into ischemic cardiac muscle, it will stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and improve cardiac function. The VEGF-2 is delivered via a non-viral vector system in which the naked DNA plasmid is injected directly into the tissue where the gene transfer occurs. The company believes that there are several advantages to this over other gene transfer delivery systems including minimal side effects and the fact that the gene is not inserted into the genome.
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