GAITHERSBURG, Md., Jan. 17, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- VIRxSYS Corporation, a privately held company developing gene therapies for HIV and genetic diseases, today announced that they have signed a Co-operative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a branch of the National Institute of Health. The CRADA is a transition of the agreement with the Intronn Corp., which was acquired earlier this year by VIRxSYS.
The CRADA is focused on atherosclerosis. One of the major aims of the research is to create ways of increasing the level of HDL cholesterol in the bloodstream using VIRxSYS' patented spliceosome-mediated RNA trans-splicing (SMaRT(tm)) technology.
"We are very excited to be working with the NHLBI on this project," said Dr. Riku Rautsola, President and CEO of VIRxSYS. "By combining VIRxSYS' technology with the NHLBI's know-how and experience, we will be able to develop new products with important benefits for the public."
SMaRT(tm) RNA therapy uses gene therapy vectors to deliver proprietary RNA molecules, known as 'pre-trans-splicing molecules' (PTMs), which can either correct defective gene sequences or provide a new function to a gene. The SMaRT(tm) technology has more than 30 publications in major scientific journals.
About VIRxSYS
VIRxSYS is a private biotechnology company using proprietary lentiviral vector delivery and RNA payload platforms to develop therapies for serious human diseases. The Company's initial lentiviral delivery technology was exclusively licensed from The Johns Hopkins University and has been substantially advanced in the Company's laboratories. The RNA payload technology was acquired and has been integrated with the Company's lentiviral delivery technology. In addition to preclinical programs for genetic and other serious diseases, the Company is currently developing gene and vaccine therapies for HIV, one of which has advanced to Phase II human clinical trials. More information regarding VIRxSYS can be found at www.virxsys.com. Details for the Phase II study can be found at the NIH clinical trials website at clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00131560.