Genetic Engineering News Reports Biotech Targeting Diseases in the Developing World

Business Wire, Jan 28, 2003

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

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LARCHMONT, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 2003

Biotechnology companies are trying to forge research partnerships to develop drugs for diseases that afflict the developing world, reports Genetic Engineering News (GEN).

The goal is to tackle malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid, leishmaniasis, sleeping sickness, cholera, dengue fever, river blindness, HIV, and other diseases, according to the January 15 issue of GEN (www.genengnews.com).

"A number of the diseases that are devastating the poorer countries around the globe are of plague proportions," says John Sterling, editor-in-chief of GEN. "Biotechnology offers hope that the medical needs of the people suffering in these countries can be addressed."

Under the sponsorship of the Biotechnology Industry Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, biotech firms recently met with members of government agencies, foundations, and nongovernmental organizations in Washington, DC.

"Many biotechs currently have proven technology and compounds ready for late-stage development, but lack funding to bring them through the pipeline and to those that need them. The message of the meeting was that funding from foundations, the government, and not-for-profit groups is available," continues Sterling.

For example, Advanced Life Sciences has a partnership with the National Cancer Institute, Harvard University, and the Sarawak government in Malaysia that has resulted in the discovery of a number of plant-based products with antiviral and antibacterial activity that are now entering the clinic. Companies such as Corixa (Nasdaq:CRXA), Avant Immunotherapeutics (Nasdaq:AVAN), and Maxygen (Nasdaq:Maxy) are applying their technology platforms to one or more drugs for diseases like TB and malaria, in addition to more traditional targets of cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disease. AlphaVax is developing viral vector vaccines for HIV, malaria, Marburg virus, other pathogens, and cancer.

Maxygen has out-licensed its gp100 HIV vaccine to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) for testing in Africa and Asia. For dengue, Maxygen is developing Maxy-1500m, for which it has retained all rights. The company recently announced that it seeks a partner for GMP manufacturing and trials. Corixa will begin human trials this year of vaccines against leishmaniasis and TB.

Immtech International (Nasdaq:IMMT) is focusing on African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), malaria, fungal infections, leishmaniasis, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. For needle-free immunization, Iomai () is developing skin-patch technology for HIV, anthrax, H. pylori, and cancer.

"Killer diseases in the developing world are not only a major humanitarian concern but they have economic and political implications as well," notes Sterling. "In many instances, as is the case with AIDS in Africa, those with the disease represent the economic backbone of some societies. If we do not make a greater effort to help these people, economic and political instability will follow in the wake of the deaths of millions of people."

Genetic Engineering News is published 21 times a year by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. For a copy of the magazine, please call 914-834-3100, ext. 623, or email: ebicovny@liebertpub.com