Studies completed and patent application submitted
The first two experimental studies on a new set of vectors have been successfully completed during January, paving the way for two subsequent studies which started February 1st at Lund and Copenhagen universities on behalf of CombiGene. A patent application was submitted February 12th , comprising the DNA sequences and other features of these new vectors.
The two completed animal studies, one of which was made at Lund and Copenhagen universities in collaboration and the other at CombiGene’s subcontractor GeneDetect on New Zealand, concerned the in vivo expression of the two transgenes NPY and Y2. In vivo expression (“upregulation”) of the transgenes in the brain cells after injection of the AAV vector is a prerequisite for the desired anti-epileptic effect. Two new animal studies, regarding the anti-epileptic effects, were subsequently started February 1st and are expected to be reported in June after which CombiGene current plans are to choose candidate vector for further characterization and development into a human therapeutic product.
The two recently completed in vivo expression studies were performed according to plans, the results were clear and the conclusions hoped for could be drawn. They were thus an important step towards the final choice of a candidate vector.
February 12tha patent application was submitted to the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV), comprising these new vectors. CombiGene was assisted by the Swedish patent firm Ström & Gulliksson for preparing and submitting the application.
CEO Bengt Westrin comments: “The patent application shows that CombiGene is an innovative company and is claiming its territory in the gene therapy landscape. More studies are now starting. We have already prepaid the universities for these two new studies, and we still have more than 8 MSEK in the bank.”
For further information:
CombiGene AB (publ)
Bengt Westrin, CEO
Tel: +46 70 265 48 62
email: bengt.westrin@combigene.com
About CombiGene AB
By combining modern neuroscience with recent advances in gene delivery, CombiGene has developed a method shown to suppress epileptic seizures in preclinical studies. Current focus is on continuing to develop this method into an effective and safe therapy for epilepsy patients, but the method may also have development potential as a means of treating other neurological disorders. Founded on the basis of scientific discoveries made at Lund University and the University of Copenhagen, CombiGene has offices at Medicon Village in Lund, Sweden. The company is public and listed on the Swedish marketplace AktieTorget. www.combigene.com .
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