AVI BioPharma Demonstrates Effectiveness of NeuGene Antisense Agents As Potential Antibiotics Targeting Calicivirus and E. Coli
PORTLAND, Ore. - May 20, 2002 - AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVII, AVIIW, AVIIZ), today announced completion of two preclinical studies that provide evidence that AVI's concept of using its proprietary antisense as a new form of antibiotic may have future therapeutic relevance. Data from the studies will be presented in two separate sessions led by AVI scientists David Stein and Bruce Geller, Ph.D., at the annual meeting of the American Society of Microbiology in Salt Lake City.
Mr. Stein will present a paper entitled "Isolation and Partial Characterization of a Calicivirus from a Cat with Hepatitis and Hemorrhagic Enteritis." Identification of this lethal virus raises concerns because companion animals have been known to transfer infections to humans. The study demonstrated that AVI's third-generation NeuGene® antisense technology inhibited calicivirus growth in a cell culture of the virus recovered from the cat. The study also supports the application of NeuGeneS against real-world viral infections in addition to laboratory strains.
Approximately 175 known calicivirus isolates have been recovered from animals ranging from shellfish to cattle by the Laboratory for Calicivirus Studies at Oregon State University. Many of these isolates and other caliciviruses are capable of infecting humans, and some scientists believe they cause non-A through E hepatitis. Calicivirus infections can result in diarrhea, hepatitis, encephalitis, pneumonia, hemorrhage and other conditions in animals and humans.
At the same conference, Dr. Geller will present a paper entitled "Antisense Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligonucleotide Transport and Inhibition of Gene Expression in E. coli," describing a study in which NeuGeneS were successfully transported into bacteria. It was further demonstrated that bacterial gene expression could be inhibited in a sequence specific manner. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths occur in the United States each year as a result of E. coli.
Together, the two studies indicate that some bacteria transport the antisense agents into their bodies and inhibit bacterial gene expression. These results mark an important milestone in the development of NeuGeneS as a new class of antibiotics.
"These studies demonstrate the progress and momentum of the NEUBIOTIC program, and that AVI's antisense technology can lead to the development of a series of novel antibiotics," said Denis R. Burger, AVI's chief executive officer. "Antibiotic resistance is a major medical problem and AVI sees this program as an important step toward addressing this daunting challenge."
About AVI BioPharma
AVI BioPharma develops therapeutic products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases using two technology platforms: NeuGene antisense drugs and cancer immunotherapy. Its lead cancer agent, AVICINE®, a therapeutic cancer vaccine, has completed three Phase II trials in colorectal and pancreatic cancer and is initiating a Phase III pivotal trial in pancreatic cancer, with a supporting study 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 Phase II trials for restenosis and in Phase I/II trials for cancer and polycystic kidney disease. AVI has recently completed a Phase I NeuGene antisense study that successfully down-regulated the liver enzyme Cytochrome P450 and modified drug metabolism. More information about AVI is available on the Company's Web site at http://www.avibio.com/.
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