Announcement From The Coalition, November 30, 2001
We've been waiting a long time for this announcement. The following news article could not be released until the research it speaks of had gone through the peer review process. It has done so and now we can share this info. And not to be a tease, we will also let you all know that this is the first of three big announcements we have been waiting on. For those of you with inquiring minds, we'll bet you can figure out the jist of the next two. For clues, look for words like hemorrhagic and vaccine. There is hope, despite no cohesive voice and commitment to action within the Rabbit Community, (shame on us), and a government trained in smoke and mirror campaigning.Anyway, here's the article.
AVI BioPharma Study Demonstrates NeuGene Antisense Compound Stops Calicivirus
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 27, 2001--
Results Detail the First Time Antisense has Been Studied to Prevent or Inhibit Calicivirus Infection
In a study published in Antisense & Nucleic Acid Drug Development, scientists at AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII)(Nasdaq:AVIIW, AVIIZ) reported its proprietary NeuGene(R) antisense successfully reduced viral infection, viral replication and cell death in cells from two different species.
Reported in the October/November issue, the study was designed to explore antisense technology as a means of preventing or controlling caliciviral infection and disease.
In the study, AVI's NeuGene third-generation antisense compounds were delivered to pig and African green monkey kidney cells in cell culture. Three different sections of the virus' RNA were targeted. One of the three targets significantly inhibited viral replication. As expected, an unrelated NeuGene antisense control sequence tested did not alter viral titer.
"This work validates our plans to study an antiviral NeuGene antisense agent in human clinical trials in the near future," said Denis R. Burger, Ph.D., AVI's Chairman and CEO. "We're particularly pleased that our antisense agent specifically blocked replication of this virus."
"Antisense oligomers offer a rapid and versatile solution to treat viral pathogens because they can be easily customized to span a critical, conserved, or altered genetic sequence," said AVI's Senior Vice President of Research and Development Patrick L. Iversen, Ph.D. "NeuGene antiviral antisense compounds may be of particular value in disease situations for which there are still no effective vaccines or chemotherapeutic agents, such as hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)."
Scientists involved in the study included Dr. Iversen and scientists at the Laboratory for Calicivirus Studies at Oregon State University. The group reported that its reproducible reduction in viral titer was nearly maximal given that the antisense compound was delivered to only 50 to 70 percent of the cells in culture. The viral titer reductions were dose dependent, meaning that the extent of viral titer reduction was proportional to the delivery of PMO to cells.
AVI's NeuGenes, a third generation antisense, demonstrated sequence-specific activity in the study. Second-generation antisense, which would include phosphorothioate chemistry, is not appropriate for study of viral functional genomics because its negatively charged backbone leads to nonspecific events.
This was the first time an antisense agent has been studied in calicivirus infection. Antisense agents have been used previously to interfere with the gene expression of other human viral pathogens, including hepatitis B virus, herpes simplex virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Calicivirus was chosen because there are no specific treatment regimens for calicivirus infections, which are usually acute and severe. The viruses produce several disease manifestations, including diarrhea, hepatitis, encephalitis, pneumonia and hemorrhage. Vesivirus is the only classification of calicivirus that can be readily cultured in mammalian cells, and was used for this study.
AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases using two technology platforms: cancer immunotherapy and gene-targeted drugs. Its lead clinical agent, AVICINE, a therapeutic cancer vaccine, has completed enrollment in a Phase II trial in pancreatic cancer, and is in a Phase III pivotal trial in colorectal cancer. The first application of its NeuGene compounds, Resten-NG, is designed to treat cancer, cardiovascular restenosis and other cell proliferation disorders by inhibiting the production of a cellular transcription factor, the oncogene c-myc. It is currently in a Phase II trial for restenosis and a Phase I/II study for cancer. The Company's antisense compound that targets the liver enzyme CYP450 3a4 is currently in a Phase I trial. More information about AVI is available at http://www.avibio.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the results of research and development efforts, the results of pre-clinical and clinical testing, the effect of regulation by the FDA and other agencies, the impact of competitive products, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Companies' Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Through me the dumb shall speak, Till the deaf world's ear be made to hear
The wrongs of the wordless weak.
And I am my brother's keeper;
And I will fight his fight;
And speak the word for the beast and bird
Till the world sets things right."
--Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1850-1919
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