Introgen gears staff to launch of Advexin

USA-based Introgen Therapeutics has re-allocated employees to focus on regulatory review and commercial activities. After years of product development, the firm is directing corporate spending toward regulatory review programs, commercialization and the future marketing of cancer therapy Advexin (contusugene ladenovec), which was recently filed in the USA and Europe (Marketletter November 26, 2007). In a recent trial, the agent significantly increased survival in end-stage head and neck cancer patients with prospectively identified p53 favorable profiles (Marketletter June 9).

From its current total of approximately 70 employees, Introgen will eliminate around 20 positions primarily associated with Advexin development and regulatory submission programs that have now been completed. Some of the 50 remaining employees and some new ones are expected to join Introgen's manufacturing subsidiary, Introgen Technical Services. The company says it anticipated these reductions in previous financial guidance.