FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Valentis Licenses Electroporation Technology From Genetronics
BURLINGAME, Calif. and SAN DIEGO, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ --
Valentis, Inc. (Nasdaq:
VLTS) and Genetronics Biomedical Corp.
(Amex:
GEB; Toronto) announced today that Valentis has obtained a non-
exclusive license to in vivo electroporation technology from Genetronics for
use in the development of certain Genemedicine(TM) products. Financial terms
for the license were not disclosed.
Electroporation enhances the ability of cells to take up large molecules
such as DNA. When combined with Valentis' GeneSwitch(R) gene regulation
system, electroporation allows researchers to control the level and duration
of gene expression for up to several months. Valentis is currently developing
the GeneSwitch(R) system with electroporation as a component of a regulated
erythropoietin Genemedicine(TM) product for the stimulation of red blood cell
production.
"We are very pleased to announce a new relationship with Valentis, and we
are looking forward to working closely with Valentis in developing clinical
gene therapy products," stated Babak Nemati, Ph.D., Executive Vice President
for Genetronics. "We chose Valentis as an initial licensee because of their
strong intellectual property in gene therapy and gene regulation as well as
their demonstrated leadership in product development."
"Valentis has had a very productive collaboration for some time with
Genetronics in the area of electroporation for DNA delivery to muscle," stated
Gregory McKee, Valentis' Senior Director of Business Development. "We
anticipate developing a number of commercially attractive Genemedicine(TM)
products in the fields of infectious disease and oncology using the
combination of Genetronics' electroporation technology and Valentis' expertise
in gene therapy, gene regulation and product development."
Valentis converts genomic discoveries into medicines. The Company applies
its proprietary synthetic, lipid and polymer, gene delivery, gene regulation,
and PEGylation technologies to create novel therapeutic products in the fields
of cardiovascular disease, oncology, hematology, and infectious diseases.
Enabled by our expertise in preclinical research and development, clinical
development, and manufacturing, Valentis has created a broad product portfolio
designed to improve the safety, efficacy and dosing characteristics of genes,
proteins, peptides, antibodies, viruses and liposomes. Additional information
about Valentis can be found at http://www.valentis.com.
Genetronics Biomedical Corporation operates through its wholly owned San
Diego subsidiary, Genetronics, Inc., and specializes in targeted intracellular
delivery of large-molecule therapeutics. Concentrating on oncology and gene
therapy, Genetronics is developing its proprietary platform technology,
Electroporation Therapy, with the aim of enhancing patients' quality of life
and providing safe, effective and comparatively low-cost treatment. In the
field of oncology, development programs focus on diseases with high unmet
needs, such as cancers of the head and neck. Additional information about
Genetronics can be found at http://www.genetronics.com.
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are
"forward-looking" statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. The words "believes," "expects," "intends,"
"anticipates," variations of such words, and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that the statement
is not forward-looking. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions
that are difficult to predict. Factors that could affect Valentis' actual
results include the need for additional capital, the early stage of product
development, uncertainties related to clinical trials, and uncertainties
related to patent position. Further, there can be no assurance that Valentis
will be able to develop commercially viable gene therapeutics or PEGylated
biopharmaceuticals, that any of the company's programs will be partnered with
pharmaceutical partners, that necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained,
or that any clinical trial will be successful. Actual results may differ from
those projected in forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties
that exist in the companies' operations and business environments. These
risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the Valentis Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2001 and Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2001, each as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to
Genetronics' plans to develop its electroporation drug delivery system. The
availability of resources to support operations and plans for obtaining
additional financing cannot be assured. Actual events or results may differ
from the Company's expectations as a result of a number of factors, including
the uncertainties inherent in clinical trials and product development
programs, evaluation of potential opportunities, the level of corporate
expenditures, capital market conditions, and others set forth in the
Genetronics Annual Report, on Form 10-K and other regulatory filings. There
can be no assurance that any product in Genetronics product pipeline will be
successfully developed or manufactured, or that final results of human pilot
studies or clinical studies will be supportive of regulatory approvals
required to market products. The American and Toronto Stock Exchanges have
not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
CONTACT: Bennet Weintraub, CFO, VP Finance of Valentis, Inc.,
+1-650-697-1900, ext. 214, or bweintraub@valentis.com; or
investors, Stephanie Diaz of Burns McClellan, Inc.,
+1-415-352-6262, or sdiaz@sf.burnsmc.com, for Valentis, Inc.; or
media, Doug Tsao of SCO Financial Group LLC, +1-212-554-4158, or
dtsao@scogroup.com, for Valentis, Inc.; or Avtar S. Dhillon,
M.D., CEO, +1-858-410-3117, or dhillon@genetronics.com, or
investors and media, Clarke Galvin, +1-858-410-3104, or
ir@genetronics.com, both of Genetronics Biomedical Corp.