Generex Biotechnology Corporation Announces Progress in Development of H1N1 Swine Flu Program

Strategic Insights -

Representatives from key US and international agencies, policy makers, major pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology were in attendance at Influenza Congress USA 2009, a national symposium held in Washington, D.C. last week. Dr. Douglas Powell, Director of Immunobiology at Antigen Express, Inc., a wholly-owned immunotherapeutics subsidiary of Generex, presented the company's progress towards development of a synthetic peptide vaccine for the H1N1 Swine Flu virus. Antigen Express is employing novel modified peptide vaccines for antigen-specific stimulation of CD4+ T helper cells, which can be made faster, in greater quantities, and at reduced cost relative to egg-based vaccines.

Key Takeaways:

  • Generex Biotechnology Corporation is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of drug delivery systems and technologies.
  • The company's proprietary liquid formulations allow drugs typically administered by injection to be absorbed into the body by the lining of the inner mouth using the RapidMist device.
  • Antigen Express, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Generex, is developing novel modified peptide vaccines for antigen-specific stimulation of CD4+ T helper cells.
  • The manufacturing process for these peptide vaccines is entirely synthetic, allowing for faster, greater, and lower-cost production compared to egg-based vaccines.
  • The nature of the peptides used for vaccine design makes them less susceptible to becoming inactive in response to virus mutation.
  • Antigen Express has an immunotherapeutic vaccine for patients with HER2+ cancers, AE37, in Phase II efficacy study in patients with breast cancer, a recently completed Phase I study in patients with prostate cancer, and a second Phase I study in patients with either breast or ovarian cancer.
  • A Phase I study of peptides suitable for H5N1 avian influenza or H1N1 swine flu vaccines was completed.
  • Generex claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.

Statistics:

  • Generex has a proprietary platform technology for the delivery of drugs into the human body through the oral cavity.
  • The Company's RapidMist device is used to administer drugs for the treatment of subjects with Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes.
  • Generex' oral insulin (Generex Oral-lyn) is in Phase III clinical trials at several sites around the world.

Sources:

  • Generex Biotechnology Corp. (www.generex.com)
  • Antigen Express, Inc. (www.antigenexpress.com)
  • GlobeNewswire (www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3831)