VGX Pharma moves on DNA vaccine products and hGHRH

US firm VGX Pharmaceuticals says that it has initiated Investigational New Drug-enabling preclinical toxicology studies for three of its DNA plasmid-based product candidates. These include vaccines for human papilloma virus for the treatment of cervical cancer (VGX-3100) and avian influenza (VGX-3400), and a therapeutic based on human growth hormone releasing hormone (VGX-3200) for cancer related cachexia. VGX is conducting the studies in combination with its patented Cellectra electroporation device and the studies will provide preclinical safety data for both the product candidates as well as the device in a Good Laboratory Practice environment.

"We are pleased that our Immune Therapeutics program has entered the GLP toxicology stage and has allowed us to fully validate our dynamic vertically integrated product development program for DNA-based products," stated Joseph Kim, chief executive of VGX.

All three DNA plasmid-based products have previously demonstrated efficacy in various animal models. The Cellectra device delivers DNA plasmids efficiently via the application of constant-current electroporation pulses, says the company. The current toxicology studies will be completed in early 2008 and INDs for the three products are expected to be filed in the first half of 2008.