Somatix Therapy Corporation Establishes Agreements with Baxter Healthcare Corporation for Gene Therapy

Somatix Therapy Corporation and Baxter Healthcare Corporation have established two agreements for the development and clinical evaluation of gene therapies for chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and a new cellular therapy. The CGD project involves replacing the defective gene in white blood cells using proprietary stem cell selection and cell culture technologies developed by Baxter's immunotherapy division. This collaboration aims to correct the gene defect in stem cells, which can be isolated from patient blood, and ultimately treat the disease.

Key Takeaways:

• Somatix Therapy Corporation and Baxter Healthcare Corporation have established two agreements for gene therapy research and development.
• The agreements involve the treatment of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and a new cellular therapy.
• The CGD project will use proprietary stem cell selection and cell culture technologies developed by Baxter's immunotherapy division.
• The collaboration aims to correct the gene defect in stem cells, which can be isolated from patient blood, and treat the disease.
• Somatix's president, David Carter, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that the company's proprietary gene transfer technology holds great promise for those suffering from CGD.
• Cindy Collins, Baxter's vice president of business development, sees these approaches as promising opportunities to strengthen Baxter's commitment to gene and cell therapies.
• Baxter is the leading manufacturer and marketer of health-care products and services in nearly 100 countries worldwide.
• Somatix Therapy Corporation is a leader in the field of gene therapy, with a focus on researching, developing, and commercializing proprietary processes for the genetic modification of cells and their use in the treatment of human disease.

Statistics:

• 2 agreements established between Somatix Therapy Corporation and Baxter Healthcare Corporation for gene therapy research and development.
• 1 agreement for the treatment of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and 1 for the clinical evaluation of a new cellular therapy.
• Nearly 100 countries where Baxter Healthcare Corporation operates.
• 2 previous established relationships between Somatix and Baxter for hemophilias A and B and T-body cancer research.
• 1 product in Phase I clinical trials: the GVAX cancer vaccine for treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and advanced melanoma.
• Additional trials of the GVAX vaccine planned for treatment of prostate and colorectal cancers.

Sources:

• Somatix Therapy Corporation (NASDAQ: SOMA)
• Baxter Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: BAX)
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• National Institutes of Health
• Baxter's immunotherapy division
• David Carter, President of Somatix Therapy Corporation
• Cindy Collins, Vice President of Business Development at Baxter's gene therapy unit