SAN DIEGO, Feb. 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq:VICL) today announced the publication of a new article1 in the journal Vaccine detailing results from the company's completed guinea pig studies with the company's Vaxfectin®-formulated plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccines against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). These results, along with previously published results from mouse studies, support the company's decision to advance toward clinical testing, which is expected to begin in the second half of 2013.
HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted virus which is the leading cause of genital herpes. Approximately one out of every six individuals worldwide is infected by HSV-2 before age 50. HSV-2 infections are persistent and can result in debilitating genital lesions, as well as periodic virus shedding placing sexual partners at risk. HSV-2 infection also significantly increases the risk of acquiring HIV-1. There is no approved vaccine for HSV-2.
About Vical
Vical researches and develops biopharmaceutical products based on its patented DNA delivery technologies for the prevention and treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases. Potential applications of the company's DNA delivery technology include DNA vaccines for infectious diseases or cancer, in which the expressed protein is an immunogen; cancer immunotherapeutics, in which the expressed protein is an immune system stimulant; and cardiovascular therapies, in which the expressed protein is an angiogenic growth factor. The company is developing certain infectious disease vaccines and cancer therapeutics internally. In addition, the company collaborates with major pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies that give it access to complementary technologies or greater resources. These strategic partnerships provide the company with mutually beneficial opportunities to expand its product pipeline and address significant unmet medical needs. Additional information on Vical is available at www.vical.com.
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This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements include statements about the potential uses and benefits of Vical's vaccine technologies and their potential application in vaccines against HSV-2, as well as Vical's focus, collaborative partners, and product candidates. Risks and uncertainties include whether Vical's technology will be successfully applied; whether Vical or others will advance the HSV-2 vaccine candidate into human clinical testing in the second half of 2013, if at all; whether preclinical results will be predictive of results in human clinical testing; whether the HSV-2 vaccine or any product candidates will be shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials; the timing, nature and cost of clinical trials; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will seek or gain approval to market any product candidates; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will succeed in marketing any product candidates; and additional risks set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
1 Veselenak RL, et al. A Vaxfectin®-adjuvanted HSV-2 plasmid DNA vaccine is effective for prophylactic and therapeutic use in the guinea pig model of genital herpes. Vaccine 30 (2012), 7046-7051. DOI:10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.09.057.