From www.Send2Press.com
Drugs and Pharmaceuticals
Rexin-G, the World's First Tumor-Targeted Gene Delivery Vector Used in Phase I Clinical Trial
Edited by Carly Zander
Wed, 06 Apr 2005, 12:05:00 EST
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Epeius Biotechnologies Corp. announced today that a Phase I clinical trial has opened in New York to test the safety and efficacy of Rexin-G, the leading tumor-targeted gene delivery system (vector) developed for the treatment of metastatic colon and pancreatic cancer.
In 2003, Rexin-G gained FDA approval as an Orphan Drug based on clinical demonstrations of the medical utility of Rexin-G as an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Six out of six initial patients with advanced pancreatic cancer responded favorably to Rexin-G, as evidenced by significant shrinkage and/or disappearance of metastatic tumor nodules, or stabilization of disease, relief from pain, weight gain and extension of over-all survival time, without experiencing the side effects generally associated with standard chemotherapy. Clinical trials of Rexin-G have now been expanded to include patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver.
Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation recently secured exclusive licensing rights to its Pathotropic (disease-seeking) targeting platform, including the FDA-approved Targeted Delivery System (TDS) that enables its lead product, Rexin-G, to seek and destroy metastatic tumors. Following the success of "compassionate use" clinical trials using Rexin-G for metastatic pancreatic cancer, Epeius Biotechnologies has completed the transition from an academic start-up to a specialty pharmaceutical company, and has gained the financial support needed to expand the scope of its landmark clinical trials in the United States.
In a statement to the press, Dr. Frederick Hall, President and CEO of Epeius said that, "We are now in an excellent position to complete our mission: to develop our business plan in an exemplary manner, and to commercialize our high-value lead product for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide."
About Epeius
Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation is a privately held biopharmaceutical company that was formed to develop and commercialize the first truly effective Targeted Delivery System (TDS) that can be injected directly into a vein to deliver genetic medicine preferentially to cancerous tumors that have spread throughout the body (metastatic cancer), without eliciting systemic side effects or organ damage.
More information: http://www.epeiusbiotech.com
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